JazzSpeakers ROCCO 5.1

Reviewing various computer products gives me great pleasure. Strangely enough, this is the first test of an item that can't be purchased in the U.S. The ROCCO 5.1 surround sound speakers offer an overwhelming array of bells and whistles, but you must live in Europe, Asia or South America to "ring dem bells." Thanks goes to JazzSpeakers for supplying the review sample.

Plastered on many a speaker box these days is a quickly becoming ubiquitous phrase, "perfect for Sony's Playstation 2." While the 5.1's weren't tested with that hardware a comprehensive setup, consisting of multi-thousand dollar A/V high end reference components was used. The center channel speaker/controller/amp unit proved impossible to properly utilize in a typical four plus channel computer gaming rig.

Factory Specifications

The Unit

Power Output: 2500 Watts PMPO
Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Pro Logic, 2 Channel Stereo
Frequency Response: 50Hz-20KHz
4" Subwoofer, 3" Satellites, Dual 3" Center Channel Drivers
Impedance: 4 Ohms
Wireless Remote Control
MSRP: $199 USD

JazzSpeakers

6/10 Rating

Consisting of four satellites, subwoofer, dual center channel module and remote control, this top-o-the-line offering from JazzSpeakers sports a sleek although sloppily molded design. Removing the myriad of pieces from the well packaged box proved moderately disappointing.

The subwoofer box, which can be plainly seen by clicking the thumbnail to the right, has a giant slit right down the middle. On its outside edges near its top are oval shaped rubber bumpers as if the sub might need to be protected due to the occasional knocking of it against a wall.

The dual center channel control module houses all the amplifiers and circuitry required to deliver three primary types of audio compatibility. Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Pro Logic, and 2 Channel Stereo cover every audio nut's need I can think of at the moment. All three modes were utilized during the evaluation period.

The rear speakers could be placed on small plastic stands that would elevate the 3 inch drivers to ear level, but those are additional options. For a picture of those pieces please visit JazzSpeakers.

A huge 2500 Watts PMPO pink oval hints as being the ROCCO's stronger selling point. The FTC doesn't recognize the PMPO (peak music power output) specification as no repeatable standards have ever been set into stone. This rather obnoxious statement of a completely untestable parameter is an insult to today's engineers. An average U.S. 120V outlet is fused for 15A (some 20A or more) and that would equate to 1800 Watts. For more realistic power specs, continue to the next page for the objective results.

Data acquired and reported of this type is done without any opinion or bias whatsoever. For a quickie brush up course on audio terminology and measurements, point your browser to the Audio Reproduction Systems article.