Roxi – Electric Jukebox karaoke machine review
Electric Jukebox Roxi
£199Pros
- Simple set-up
- Easy navigation
- Decent audio quality
- Responsive wireless control
- Clear lyrics in karaoke function
Cons
- Microphone lag
- Unable to access own library
Music is best when it’s shared. Well, that’s what Roxi thinks. Not only is the Roxi Jukebox a networked music player, it’s also a karaoke machine and quiz-master.
I have been playing with the Roxi Electric Jukebox for a while now. As its name suggests, you get access to a curated music library, and more.
It also hooks you up with a variety of radio stations as well as offering music-based entertainment.
It’s perhaps easiest to look at Roxi as the musical equivalent as your set-top streaming telly box. It even connects your TV.
Clear your throat, there’s also karaoke here. You’ve been warned!
Roxi design
The Roxi kit comes in two components.
There is the set-top-esque brains of the operation, and a wireless controller wand that also doubles up as a microphone.
The main unit has all the connections as well as the processing duties. It is a quite compact at 3.4 x 3.4 x 17 cm and weighs just 472 g.
I have been sent the charcoal-coloured version but it is also available in red or blue.
The hub features an Ethernet, HDMI, and USB port. There is also a 3.5mm jack socket for headphones.
As well as the wired connection you can connect Roxi to your home network via Wi-Fi.
The want mic is wireless but plugs in to the hub to recharge. There are four control buttons on the mic but most of the on-screen navigation is taken care of by waving it around.
It’s a neat little set up.
Roxi performance
Set up
I opted for a wired Ethernet connection but wireless is painless.
Next is plugging in the supplied HDMI cable to the hub and your TV. Switch on (yes, it needs plugging in using the bundled adapter) and that is the Roxi set up.
The only other thing is to plug the supplied USB cable in to the hub and controller. This is, of course, optional. Most of us will have a variety of microUSB charging cables and plug adapters laying around the place.
Press the ‘On’ button on the front of the Roxi and everything you need is now displayed on your television screen.
You’re given a year’s premium pass as part of the package; which enables you to have ad-free viewing.
This pass is already registered to the box so you don’t even have to enter any fiddly codes.
From unboxing to searching for music and creating a playlist can be achieved in five minutes. Literally.
Electric Jukebox
Using the remote is just like using a Nintendo Wii. All you have to do then is wave it around in order to control the on-screen pointer and then select ‘OK’ on the remote once you’ve found what you want.
If that’s all a bit physical, you also have the option to search using voice command.
Music library
The library on Roxi can be found by drilling down through the ‘Discover’ list.
Here you are offered genres and then playlists.
You are able to put together your own playlists or check out curated lists. There are even celebrity curators such as Robbie Williams, Sheryl Crow, Alesha Dixon, and Stephen Fry. This is your chance to see how eclectic their musical taste is.
Me, being me, I headed straight for the ‘Rock’ \m/
Most things appear to be covered.
Selecting The Boys Are Back In Town playlist took me right back to buying compilation cassettes such as ‘Leather and Lace’ and the stuff Top Gear would do.
Some top tracks, nonetheless.
What would make Roxi an even more compelling option for the likes of me who already has a decent digital music library? Well, if I could play tracks from my 8TB NAS drive, that’s what. If Roxi could discover other music on the network, that would be ace. That option would not negate the subscription as I am still a paid up member to Qobuz, Tidal and Spotify.
Audio quality
All the tracks are all streamed at 320kpbs AAC. Electric Jukebox does state that there is a diminishing amount of 160kbps tracks that might be used still.
Personally, I think that it’s nice that they admitted such as I reckon the chance of finding these tracks are small. Also, most people using this device probably wouldn’t notice.
Options
Roxi is much more than simply being a jukebox though.
Whilst you can create playlists, you can also create settings to avoid explicit content – this is via the ‘Family Protect’ option.
This means you can still enjoy your favourite artist during the day but without the fear of an f-bomb appearing in front of the little precious ones – or your parents, for that matter.
Fun time
The Roxi Electric Jukebox has primarily been used to listen to music, but the games are pretty fun too.
Be warned though, ‘Name That Tune’ can get quite competitive 😉
Karaoke
I’ve never partaken in karaoke sober before and I had managed to avoid such ritual humiliation until my music college graduation in 2004.
However, in the right setting, it can be ridiculously fun.
It is good that you are singing along with the actual artist, not a dodgy tribute.
In true karaoke fashion, plenty of reverb is added to your vocals. I did notice quite a bit of lag from singing to hearing my voice through the telly.
The lyrics are clear and match the pace so, with a little bit of practice, I was able to preempt the lag.
Subscription
For the first year you really do get unlimited access to all that music, straight out of the box.
However, after the first year it’ll cost you another £52 for the same privilege. Bearing in mind the Roxi device itself costs £199, and you really have to consider if it will be worth it.
Still, add to that package the fact that you get a very capable Karaoke machine, and it might sway your decision. Plus, the UI is clean and easy to operate, and the voice search is quick and very accurate. Altogether, a extremely impressive entertainment gadget.
Roxi review conclusion
The Roxi is a great all-in-one box device for those that love to stream music.
Its easy set-up and intuitive user interface makes it easy to use for all ages. The swear filter adds to the family-friendliness of Roxi.
Played through my soundbar and sub the tracks sounded pretty good but, with 8TB of FLAC tracks on a NAS, it’s the karaoke and quiz features that makes the Roxi appealing to me.
As with all streaming services, it would be interesting to hear how much the content providers (music artists) get from this.
If I was a hard-core karaoke fan, £52 per year might be acceptable. That price would also be fine if I hadn’t already been paying for three hi-res audio services. But then, I’m probably not the target demographic for the music streaming bit.
However, for those that only listen to music occasionally and love a good house party – the Roxi fills all those needs.
I can see Roxi also being a hit in kid’s bedrooms.
Roxi price and availability
Roxi can be purchased now in blue, red, or charcoal. It is £199 from Amazon.co.uk.
In with the purchase price is a year’s subscription. After then, it is £52 per year.
