Singing Machine SML-283P Review

If you’re looking for a portable karaoke that functions like a CD player, then Singing Machine SML-283P certainly fits your requirement. 

It has features you’ll find common in other CD players and more. You can have it play not only music from CDs but CD+G as well. It also has built-in speakers and can accommodate up to 2 microphones. 

However, it’s not all bells and whistles for this model. A fair tradeoff considering how cheap it is. In the sections below, you’ll learn the shortcomings that this karaoke has, and if they’re something you can turn a blind eye to.

Singing Machine SML-283P Review

Perhaps what you’ll really love the most about this product is that it’s lightweight and portable. With a dimension that’s only a little larger than a standard CD player, it’s quite surprising that this is a fully functional karaoke system.

Aside from playing songs from both CD and CD+G, it can also stream songs from other music sources as well. This product is also capable of displaying lyrics and graphics to a TV.

Singing Machine has designed this model to be very simple to operate. That’s why this is also one of the best gifts for children who love to sing.

Music Sources

This model doesn’t come with built-in songs or a free karaoke CD, however, you can load songs in a number of ways:

• CD: This includes both music CDs and those that you have burned yourself.
• CD+G: These are karaoke CDs that show lyrics and background on the TV.
• iPhone & Android devices: You can stream your songs directly from iTunes or YouTube.
• MP3 players: Connect your MP3 player and stream songs from your playlist.

You can easily connect these devices with an audio cable, which is already included in the box.

Although you can connect your phone and then connect the karaoke player to the TV, you can’t have the videos show up. It will only display videos from a CD+G.

Music Output

Singing Machine SML-283p is designed to be a fully operational karaoke system with its built-in speakers and microphone jacks. There is not much to expect from these speakers, though.

However, you should be able to connect it to an external speaker easily to somehow help with improving it. This is what we believe to be the biggest tradeoff with having a very affordable price tag.

An RCA cable is already included in the box. Using this cable, you can output both audio and video to the TV to amplify the sound. Alternatively, you can plug in your headphones as well.

Microphone

The unit has 2 microphone jacks which allow you to go on a duet with your friends or your kids. However, you will need to purchase the additional mic since it only includes 1. The mic jack is standard so you can purchase a different model or brand.

If your child wants to sing through the mic without any music, he or she can certainly do so. Also, the mic that comes with the unit is corded and is around 9 feet in length.

Sound Quality

As we have pointed out earlier, the built-in speakers are not something to write home about. There is no equalizer or other settings available to enhance the sound other than the echo and balance knobs. 

If you’re playing a karaoke CD, you can easily add or remove the voice with the Auto Voice Control feature. 

Additional Features

SML-283P also has LED lights installed for those much-needed party lights while singing. These lights have a set blinking intervals and do not actually respond to the song’s beat.

This model comes in 2 colors, black and pink. The latter being a favorite choice for most buyers who gave it as a gift to their granddaughter or niece.

Setting Up

If you’re planning to use this model right out of the box, you can certainly do so. Just plug the AC adapter into an outlet, load your music CD, plug in the mic and you can start singing.

The demo disc included is nothing special so it would be better to if you purchase some karaoke CDs together with this unit.

Take note that the product does not include the audio in cable to connect your device to the karaoke system. You will need to purchase a 3.5mm audio cable separately.

If you have this cable on hand after unboxing this model, you can easily connect your device by plugging in the cable on your device’s headphone jack and then connecting it to the karaoke player’s AUX-in jack. Then just stream your songs from your playlist or from YouTube.

Dimension

The product includes a single wired microphone, an AC adapter for an additional power source, RCA cables to connect to TV, a demo disc, and 5 bonus song downloads.

SML-293P has the following exact dimensions and weight:

• 9.1” W x 4.1” L x 9.9” H
• 3.85 lbs

This makes the SML-283p very lightweight that even kids can carry it. That’s why it’s so easy to bring with you outdoors, for reunions, or sleepovers. In fact, this is one of the best karaoke units for kids that we recommend here: karaokehq.com/karaoke-machine-for-kids/.

Consumer Ratings

There have been some mixed reviews about this product on Amazon. Customers who gave it a high ranking are very much satisfied with how easy it is to use the system. Most of them based their reviews on how their children enjoyed using this karaoke model.

On the other hand, those that were dissatisfied experienced their unit breaking down in just a couple of months. If you want more opinions regarding this product, we encourage you to check the rest of Amazon customer reviews as well.

Final Words

This karaoke is primarily designed to be portable and cheap. It comes with a built-in speaker with low to mid-range sound quality.

The pink color is a great gift for teens, which is especially perfect for pajama parties. If you want to check other karaoke units specifically for teenage girls, be sure to check our recommendations here: karaokeHQ.com/karaoke-machine-for-teenage-girl.

Singing Machine SML-283P is an awesome lightweight karaoke system meant to be connected to a TV or external speakers for it to truly shine. If you want a cheap karaoke machine that you can bring with you anywhere, then this is the one for you.