Echo alexa speaker: What Is Alexa (and What’s the Best Alexa Speaker for 2023)?

Miscellaneous

The 5 Best Alexa Speakers – Spring 2023: Reviews

  1. Table of Contents
  2. Intro
  3. Best Speaker

    1. Best Mid-Range

      1. Best Lower Mid-Range

        1. Best Budget

          1. Best Cheap

            1. Notable Mentions
            2. Recent Updates
            3. All Reviews
            4. Discussions

            Updated May 08, 2023 at 09:24 am

            By Becca Fischer

            If you like using Alexa, you’ll want a speaker with great voice assistant support and, ideally, Alexa built into the speaker itself. Nowadays, quite a few speakers come with Alexa built-in, and many can easily understand your voice commands, even when you’re far away or in a noisy environment. While these speakers tend to be home speakers with a wired design, there are some wireless options available that you can take with you on the go. Many Alexa speakers have balanced sound profiles, making them suitable for playing music and watching movies, on top of being a voice assistant for your home. Some even come with built-in smart home hubs, which are handy if you want to “smartify” your home!

            We’ve tested over 110 speakers, and below you’ll find our recommendations for the best Alexa-enabled speakers, including the best Alexa speaker for music. If you want to see more options, check out our picks for the best home speakers, the best smart speakers, and the best Bluetooth speakers.

            1. Best Alexa Speaker

              Sonos Era 300

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              Music

              7.7

              Videos/Movies

              7.0

              Podcasts

              6.8

              Voice Assistant

              8. 8

              Outdoors

              5.5

              Battery Powered

              No

              Speakerphone

              No

              Voice Assistant

              Yes

              Bluetooth

              Yes

              Wi-Fi

              Yes

              See all our test results

              The best Alexa speaker that we’ve tested is the Sonos Era 300. This smart home speaker is one of the best of the best models on the market, and its built-in Alexa capabilities make it easy to control the device using only your voice. It boasts a sleek design, and it’s available in both black and white, so you can choose the color scheme that best meets your style. Since it supports both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, it’s really easy to stream audio from your mobile devices right to the speaker itself. Its great sound quality makes it suitable for listening to lots of different types of audio content.

              This speaker comes with lots of premium sound enhancement features to make the most of your listening experience. For example, as with most premium models on the market, it comes with a room correction tool designed to optimize the sound based on the unique acoustics of your room. Since it’s a Sonos speaker, it’s also designed to integrate with other compatible speakers in the manufacturer’s ecosystem, so you can spread audio throughout your room.

              You can pair it with a compatible Sonos soundbar for enhanced surround sound. Since the bar supports Dolby Atmos, it’s able to bring a more immersive feel to Dolby Atmos Music that’s found on different streaming platforms like Apple Music. That said, if you don’t need all these extra bells and whistles, you may prefer one of the more affordable models on our list.

              See our review

            2. Best Mid-Range Alexa Speaker

              Sonos Move

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              Music

              7. 0

              Videos/Movies

              6.5

              Podcasts

              8.1

              Voice Assistant

              8.6

              Outdoors

              7.7

              Battery Powered

              Yes

              Speakerphone

              No

              Voice Assistant

              Yes

              Bluetooth

              Yes

              Wi-Fi

              Yes

              See all our test results

              The Sonos Move is a more affordable alternative that’s also much more portable. Thanks to its battery-powered design, you can bring this speaker when you travel out of the house. It’s lighter and easier to carry with a built-in handle for simple transport. Plus, since it’s rated IP56 for dust and water resistance, it’s protected against light exposure to the elements. Bring it outside for your next backyard party, and you won’t be disappointed. It supports both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, too.

              This speaker has two built-in voice assistants, meaning you can choose between Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. As with the Sonos Era 300, it performs well, so the speaker doesn’t have any issue hearing your commands in noisy environments. It can even pick up your voice from far away, too. That said, it doesn’t support Dolby Atmos like the Era 300, and it’s also not a stereo speaker. As a result, you don’t notice the same separation of instruments between the left and right channels in the soundstage. It’s not a huge deal for more casual listeners, but more astute audiophiles will notice a difference. Still, if you want to save on your Alexa speaker, it’s worth checking out.

              See our review

            3. Best Lower Mid-Range Alexa Speaker

              Amazon Echo Studio

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              Music

              7. 1

              Videos/Movies

              6.1

              Podcasts

              6.3

              Voice Assistant

              7.9

              Outdoors

              5.4

              Battery Powered

              No

              Speakerphone

              Yes

              Voice Assistant

              Yes

              Bluetooth

              Yes

              Wi-Fi

              Yes

              See all our test results

              If you’re on a tighter budget, consider the Amazon Echo Studio, another excellent voice assistant speaker available at a more affordable price than the Sonos Move. This stylish home speaker has built-in Alexa support and performs well, so you don’t have to worry about it understanding your commands clearly. Also, it serves as a Zigbee hub, so you can connect other smart home devices like light bulbs and thermostats to the speaker to control them with your voice. You can also use the microphone mute tool to stop it from listening to you when you’re done, which is nice.

              This speaker offers a clear and balanced sound right out of the box, so voices and instruments in your favorite tracks sound pleasant. With the Amazon Alexa app, you can adjust its bass and treble performance, too. However, it doesn’t bring as much rumble as the more premium Sonos Move. Also, it’s a wired speaker, so you can’t use it outdoors, and it isn’t rated for dust or water resistance, so it’s not a good idea to use it in your kitchen or bathroom. That said, if you prefer a wired home speaker, it’s still a great pick.

              See our review

            4. Best Budget Alexa Speaker

              Amazon Echo Gen 4

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              Music

              6. 8

              Videos/Movies

              6.1

              Podcasts

              6.3

              Voice Assistant

              8.8

              Outdoors

              5.2

              Battery Powered

              No

              Speakerphone

              Yes

              Voice Assistant

              Yes

              Bluetooth

              Yes

              Wi-Fi

              Yes

              See all our test results

              The Amazon Echo Gen 4 is the best Bluetooth speaker with Alexa built-in that we’ve tested for those on a budget. It’s a rather unique-looking device with a spherical design that’s available in several colors to match your home decor. Alexa lets you control the device right from the comfort of your couch, using only your voice to command its functions. There’s a Zigbee hub built in, so you can access other compatible smart devices through the speaker. Alexa understands you with ease, too, so you can still use the voice assistant capabilities in the middle of a noisy environment like a party.

              This speaker is compatible with the Amazon Alexa app, giving you access to some extra features. Its bass and treble adjustment tools let you customize its sound more to your liking, which is handy for audiophiles. Plus, you can pair multiple Echo devices to make a stereo pair or spread audio to different rooms in your home. Naturally, this smaller device doesn’t get as loud as the larger Amazon Echo Studio, but if you just plan to use it in an average-sized room, it’ll still get the job done.

              See our review

            5. Best Cheap Speaker For Alexa

              Amazon Echo Dot Gen 4

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              Music

              5. 8

              Videos/Movies

              5.2

              Podcasts

              6.3

              Voice Assistant

              8.9

              Outdoors

              4.9

              Battery Powered

              No

              Speakerphone

              Yes

              Voice Assistant

              Yes

              Bluetooth

              Yes

              Wi-Fi

              Yes

              See all our test results

              The Amazon Echo Dot Gen 4 is a great wallet-friendly pick. It’s the smaller and more affordable twin to the Amazon Echo Gen 4, and it has the same spherical design to blend in with your home accessories. Despite the price difference, both speakers offer a similar voice assistant performance, with built-in Alexa capabilities that do an excellent job picking up your commands, even if you’re further away from the device. Unfortunately, you won’t find a Zigbee hub built into this speaker, but if you don’t have other smart home devices, you won’t need this feature, so you may find it a better value overall.

              Similar to its larger, more premium sibling, this speaker connects to the Amazon Alexa app, allowing you to adjust its bass and treble or connect it with other Echo devices to spread your favorite tunes throughout your home. Whether you’re listening to music, podcasts, or audiobooks, the speaker does a good job reproducing voices and other instruments with clarity. That said, it’s not quite as loud as the bigger Echo, which is especially disappointing if you want to fill larger and more open spaces with sound. Still, for the price, this small speaker is a solid addition to any home setup.

              See our review

            Notable Mentions

            • Bose Home Speaker 500:
              The Bose Home Speaker 500 is a wired stereo speaker with Alexa and Google Assistant built-in. It has no trouble understanding you, even if you’re far away or in a noisy environment. However, it isn’t as portable as the Sonos Move since it needs to remain wired to a power source for it to work. Its sound profile also isn’t as balanced.
              See our review
            • Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 Gen 2:
              The Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 Gen 2 is an incredibly portable Bluetooth speaker with outstanding Alexa support. That said, it isn’t Wi-Fi compatible like the Sonos Move, so while it comes with Alexa built-in, it depends on your paired smartphone to work. Its battery life is also shorter.
              See our review
            • Sonos Era 100:
              The Sonos Era 100 is a more affordable alternative to the Sonos Era 300. It’s another premium speaker with many of the same features like room correction, as well as a stand-out sound quality suitable for lots of different audio content. It’s a bit more expensive than the Amazon Echo Studio, but it doesn’t get quite as loud, and there’s more compression at max volume.
              See our review

            Recent Updates

            1. May 08, 2023:
              Replaced the Denon Home 350 with the Sonos Era 300 as the Best Alexa Speaker. Added the Sonos Era 100 as a Notable Mention.

            2. Mar 10, 2023:
              Confirmed the accuracy and availability of our product picks. Minor updates to the text for clarity.

            3. Jan 09, 2023:
              No changes in product picks after verifying their accuracy and availability.

            4. Nov 10, 2022:
              No changes in product picks after verifying their accuracy and availability.

            5. Sep 14, 2022:
              Adjusted article structure and recategorized picks to better align with user expectations. Added the Amazon Echo Studio as the ‘Best Lower Mid-Range Alexa Speaker’ and the Amazon Echo Dot Gen 4 as the ‘Best Cheap Speaker For Alexa’.

            All Reviews

            Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best Alexa-enabled speakers for most people to buy, according to their needs. We factor in the price (cheaper speakers win over pricier ones if the difference isn’t worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no speakers that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).

            If you would like to choose for yourself, here’s the list of all our reviews for speakers with Alexa built-in, filtered by their overall voice assistant performance. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There are no perfect speakers. Personal taste, preference, and listening habits will matter more in your selection.

            5 Best Amazon Echo of 2023

            Written by Sarah Kovac, Rachel Murphy, and Nick Woodard

            Updated February 16, 2023

            No two Amazon Echo smart speakers are the same—each one has its own unique range of capabilities. We examined each speaker in the line for its unique characteristics, sound quality, and responsiveness to help you decide which one is best for your home.

            In doing so, the fourth-generation Echo
            (available at Amazon for $99.99)

            sits at the top of our rankings of best Amazon Echo. This smart speaker has the most universal appeal and would be perfect in any room of the house. But there are multiple models available, each with something notable to offer.

            Credit:
            Reviewed / Sarah Kovac

            The indicator light turns blue when Alexa is listening.

            Best Overall

            Amazon Echo (4th Gen)

            The fourth generation Echo looks nothing like previous generations of Echo speakers, taking on an even more modern and minimal aesthetic as a fabric-covered orb. The status light ring is now around the base of said orb, which is a little more difficult to see from across the room. It also has the smart home hub capabilities of the previous Echo Plus, and it comes loaded with a faster processor that speeds up Alexa’s response time.

            The sound on the Echo is certainly respectable, though it can’t compete with the bass produced by larger speakers like the Bose Home 300. We like using it solo, as a stereo pair, or for multi-room music when connected with other Echo speakers. It also functions as a Bluetooth speaker.

            The 4th-gen Echo has a built-in temperature sensor, which means you can open the Alexa app and see what the temperature is in the room where the Echo resides.

            It’s the only Echo speaker, aside from the Echo Studio, that doubles as a smart home hub. It uses the Zigbee smart home standard to help allow easy connection to other smart home devices like Hue Bulbs and Kwikset smart locks.

            While its sound doesn’t compete with our favorites, especially in the bass department, it does well for a speaker at its cost, especially if you buy it on sale.

            Read our full review of the 4th-gen Echo

            Other Amazon Echo Speakers We Tested

            Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)

            The 5th-generation Amazon Echo Dot received a significant boost when it comes to sound. It produces more bass, and displays more proficiency in reproducing tracks that lean heavily into those lower frequencies than the previous generation. To be clear, the Dot won’t rattle windows or shake picture frames off their hooks. But for a speaker that weighs less than 11 ounces, the Dot does a surprisingly good job of bringing the bass.

            The new Echo Dot now doubles as a Wi-Fi extender for eero Mesh Wi-Fi systems, and is now reportedly capable of adding up to 1,000 square feet of coverage to your network and handling speeds of up to 100 Mbps. For eero owners, the Dot represents a useful, 2-for-1 gadget that can set timers and tell you the right way to pronounce “biopic” while providing a handy boost to your network.

            Aside from the extender skills, the Dot’s new accelerometer offers up new tap gesture controls. Simply tap the top of the speaker to pause or play music, snooze alarms, or even end communications through the Dot.

            Unfortunately, not all of the Dot’s new features hit the mark. The speaker’s new ambient temperature sensor, while intriguing, measured about 9°F to 10°F colder than the real temperature of the space. Still, that’s a rather minor issue compared to the rest of the lineup of solid, noteworthy features packed into Amazon’s latest Alexa-enabled smart speaker. Add in the bump in bass and audio quality overall, and the fifth generation Echo Dot has plenty of perks to once again be one of the most valuable smart speakers around.

            The fifth-gen Echo Dot also comes in additional models like the Echo Dot with Clock and the Echo Dot Kids Edition.

            Read our full review of the Echo Dot (5th gen)

            Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen)

            The 4th-generation Amazon Echo Dot comes in three models: The Dot, the Dot with Clock, and the Dot Kids Edition.

            The Amazon Echo Dot with Clock has a numerical display on the front that shows the time or the status of timers you’ve set. The Kids Edition is covered in fun animal designs and comes with a free year of Amazon Kids+ programming and a 2-year guarantee (because kids aren’t easy on tech!).

            Amazon Echo Dot smart speakers have always had a sleek aesthetic. But the orb-like design of the 4th generation is as minimal as it gets, matching with the larger 4th-gen Echo. The Dot looks like a small mesh ball, and with three color options, it will blend nicely with most décor. If you’re wondering how much Echo Dots are, they are usually the most affordable of the current available Echo speakers.

            While you can’t expect mind-blowing sound from a speaker barely larger than a baseball, the Dot gives a surprisingly decent listening experience. It especially works well when linked with another Dot as a stereo pair. Playing bass-heavy tunes makes for a somewhat disappointing experience, but acoustic tracks sound pretty respectable.

            Larger, more expensive Alexa smart speakers like the Echo Studio will deliver far superior sound quality, but the Dot is certainly sufficient for smart home control, Alexa interactions, and background tunes at dinner.

            Read our full review of the Echo Dot (4th gen)

            Pros

            • Good value

            • Easy to use

            Cons

            • Weak bass

            Amazon Echo Studio

            If you’re looking for the best sound quality in the Echo lineup, the Echo Studio is absolutely the best pick. It’s also a great choice for smart homes because, like the 4th-gen Echo, it has a built-in Zigbee hub.

            This speaker is considerably larger than other Echo speakers, but the additional size allows for deeper bass, better clarity, and immersive sound. The Studio is also unique in this space as it is designed to deliver 3D sound, thanks to its Dolby Atmos compatibility. It even features an upward-firing driver that bounces sound off your ceiling to better immerse you in the audio.

            Usually, we think of surround sound in reference to movies. But there is a burgeoning movement in music to use 3D-audio technology like that in the Echo Studio to deliver sound that seems to come from everywhere–even above you. At present it’s limited to a small list of artists and streaming services, such as Amazon Music Unlimited and Tidal, but it’s becoming more widespread.

            Regardless of whether or not you use this speaker to play 3D music, the sound it delivers will be satisfying, and impressively full for a speaker of its size.

            Pros

            • Exceptional sound

            • Dolby Atmos

            Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen)

            The 3rd-gen Dot may be an older model Echo speaker, but it still gives you access to all the standard Alexa features at a fraction of the price of its larger siblings. However, with the price break, you do have to sacrifice sound quality.

            The small speaker delivers noticeably low-quality audio playback, though this generation presents a major improvement in that area over its predecessors. Like the Echo Dot, the third-gen has a 3.5mm input on the back and Bluetooth connectivity, so you can easily connect it to any existing speaker for a boost in audio quality.

            Given that the price difference between the two speakers is nominal, the 4th-gen Echo Dot is a better buy (if you can swing the small price increase). The only reason to buy the 3rd-gen Echo Dot is if you prefer the hockey puck-like shape to the fourth-gen Echo Dot’s revamped orb design.

            Cons

            • Low-quality sound

            How We Tested

            The Testers

            Hi there, I’m Rachel Murphy, and I’ve been covering smart home for Reviewed for several years now. My work in this article is built upon the original work and testing of Sarah Kovac, Reviewed’s accessibility editor.

            The Tests

            Because every Echo speaker has its own strengths and features, our testing couldn’t be standardized across each device. Instead, we used each Echo for several weeks before deciding which one is best for which use cases.

            Echo Speakers and Privacy

            Privacy might seem like a thing of the past. Everywhere you go, there’s some computer watching or listening. But, in your own home, you can do a few things to protect yourself, even from naturally invasive smart home devices.

            You can stop your Echo speaker from listening for (and possibly mishearing) your wake word by turning off your mic via the mute button on the top of the device. Or, turn on audible alerts within Settings in the Alexa app to know when your Echo is listening beyond just the indicator light.

            You can opt-out of having your voice recordings included in Amazon’s review process by going to Settings > Alexa Privacy > Manage Your Alexa Data, then toggling off the setting that says Use Voice Recordings to Improve Amazon Services.

            In these privacy settings, you can also delete Alexa voice recordings, which are accessible to anyone you share the app with. You can even set up auto-deletion every three or 18 months.

            What’s The Difference Between Alexa and Echo?

            Alexa is Amazon’s voice assistant. It can respond to voice commands, and it performs a wide variety of functions to help you throughout your day. Alexa can help you manage smart home devices like lights and thermostats. It can also take notes and give you calendar reminders, make purchases online, and more.

            In order to use Alexa, you need Alexa-enabled devices or the Alexa app on a compatible smartphone or tablet. There are a host of smart appliances that have Alexa built in, but you can also pick up Echo devices to bring Alexa into your home. That includes smart speakers featured here, and the Amazon Echo Show, which can make video calls and stream movies and TV.

            Alexa is the main way you control Echo products. You can use it to also display photos across devices, pull up streaming content, play music in a multi-room audio setup, and more.

            More Articles You Might Enjoy

            • The Best Smart Speakers
            • The Best Smart Garage Door Openers
            • You can create a smart home with these appliances—but should you?
            • 8 ways to protect your privacy from Alexa

            Meet the testers

            Sarah Kovac

            Editor, Accessibility

            @sarahkovac

            Sarah Kovac is an award-winning author and accessibility editor for Reviewed. Previously, she worked with a multitude of outlets such as Wirecutter, TIME, PCMag, Prevention, The Atlantic, Reviews.com, CNN, GOOD, Upworthy, Mom.me, and SheKnows.

            See all of Sarah Kovac’s reviews

            Rachel Murphy

            Editor, Home

            @rachel_murphy

            Rachel Murphy is Reviewed’s home editor. She holds a journalism degree from the University of Central Florida. Prior to joining the team, she worked as a freelance writer for publications like Insider and Mashable, and as an associate editorial producer for Good Morning America. Aside from smart home tech, her interests include food, travel, parenting, and home renovation. You can usually find her sipping on coffee at any time of the day.

            See all of Rachel Murphy’s reviews

            Nick Woodard

            Contributor

            @nwoodard25

            Nick Woodard is a tech journalist specializing in all things related to home theater and A/V. His background includes a solid foundation as a sports writer for multiple daily newspapers, and he enjoys hiking and mountain biking in his spare time.

            See all of Nick Woodard’s reviews

            Checking our work.

            Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you’re confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we’ll compare notes.

            Shoot us an email

            How to use Amazon Echo as a Bluetooth speaker for your computer or mobile phone

            If you have a Amazon Echo , you should know that you also have a Bluetooth speaker for your PC or mobile device. This is not what Amazon tells you when you get it, and the truth is that it can be very helpful for you. For example, to take advantage of its better sound quality, in which cases and with which models compared to the speakers built into your computer or phone. So, here’s how you can set it up to use as an external speaker.

            Index

            • 1 Using Amazon Echo as external speaker
            • 2 How to use Echo as Bluetooth speaker in Windows
            • 3 Amazon Echo as Bluetooth speaker for Mac
            • 4 Amazon Echo as wireless speaker for your mobile phone
            • 5 Amazon Echo with your Smart TV
            • 6 Can I use two Echo devices at the same time via Bluetooth?
              • 6.1 Stereo on Windows or macOS?
              • 6.2 What about Amazon Music?
            • 7 Disadvantages of using the Echo as a regular speaker
              • 7.1 Say goodbye to Alexa if you use the Echo with a different audio source
              • 7.2 Stereo mode doesn’t work perfectly
            • 8 Connect speaker for Amazon Echo
            • 9 Is it worth it use echo as speaker?
            • 10 Can I use the built-in microphone?

            Using Amazon Echo as External Speakers

            At this point in the movie, we all know the benefits of Amazon’s smart speakers. Any of the Amazon Echos allows you, thanks to the integrated use of Alexa, to access a lot of features, such as home automation control, information requests, and many other things like those that we have already told you about more than once here.

            You will also learn that you can connect an external sound system to the amazon echo use it as a speaker to have a better sound. It’s as easy to do as connecting an Amazon 3.5mm speaker cable to the audio input of an external speaker or soundbar.

            With discount

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            With discount

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            Echo Studio | Our…

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            However, that amazon doesn’t tell you that you can use them for Bluetooth speaker mode . And the truth is that they should, because it can be very useful in certain situations or if you want to improve the multimedia experience when playing or watching content on your computer, mobile phone or tablet.

            So this is what we are going to show you. We are going to teach you what is the setup process that you have to follow on both Windows and Mac and mobile operating systems and that will allow you to use any Amazon Echo as a Bluetooth speaker.

            View offer on Amazon

            How to use the Echo as a Bluetooth speaker in Windows

            We’re going to start with one of the most common cases for the vast majority – using the Amazon Echo as a Bluetooth speaker for a Windows computer. The setup process will be as follows:

            1. Internet access Alexa.amazon.es
            2. Go to section configuration
            3. Select the Amazon Echo you want to use as a Bluetooth speaker under Devices.
            4. Under Wireless & Networks, click Bluetooth.
            5. Click on ‘ Connect new device
            6. Navigate to the Windows Bluetooth configuration options and click “Search for Devices”.
            7. When your Amazon Echo appears, click the link. Wait a few seconds for the connection to be established.
            8. Ready. You can now use Echo as an audio output on your Windows computer.

            Now that you have both devices paired, all you need to do is tell it that you want to use it as an external speaker in the same way you would with wireless headphones, for example.

            Amazon Echo as Bluetooth speaker for Mac

            If you want to use your Amazon Echo as a Bluetooth speaker for Mac, the process is identical. The steps you have to follow are:

            • Go to System Preferences on a macOS computer.
            • Go to Bluetooth option
            • Please wait a few seconds while the wizard shows you all nearby devices that you can connect to.
            • Select your Amazon Echo from the list. Wait until the connection is established.
            • Once you receive it, you should change your Mac’s audio output if it hasn’t been done automatically. If you have a volume icon on the top bar of your Mac, you can do it from there (on older versions of macOS, you need to Alt-click while clicking the icon). If not, go back to System Preferences, navigate to the “Sound” option and click on the “Output” tab. Next, select Echo.

            After that, any sound you play on your Mac will automatically play through Amazon Echo.

            Amazon Echo as a wireless speaker for your mobile phone

            Finally, if you have an Android and iOS device and want to use the Amazon Echo to listen to the sound of the multimedia content played on them, you must also follow the same steps. The difference will again be in the last step of matchmaking. There you will need to leave at Bluetooth settings Android and iOS to view the speaker and enable pairing.

            In seconds, your Amazon Echo speaker will be perfectly set up for each of the devices you need to use it as a wireless Bluetooth speaker. An option that certainly improves the experience in terms of quality over the built-in speakers of many displays, laptops, and even those found in many PCs.

            Amazon Echo with your Smart TV

            In case you want to have a sound source near you to listen to TV at certain times of the day, when you do not want to disturb someone with whom you share space at home, you can always connect an Amazon Echo to change the focus of the sound and pass everything through it.

            The linking method will differ depending on the brand and model of your Smart TV, but the basic steps are:

            • Open the Smart TV settings using the remote control.
            • Click on the connections section (eg SmartThings on Samsung).
            • Look for an option to connect a new device.
            • You should see devices discovered by Smart TV: select Amazon Echo.
            • Follow the steps below on the TV screen.

            Can two Echo devices be used simultaneously via Bluetooth?

            As you know, Amazon Echo devices allow you to use groups of speakers by combining two of them and a subwoofer to enjoy the best sound. The only limitation is that this is a feature for playing audio from supported streaming services or using Fire TV.

            Stereo on Windows or macOS?

            You cannot connect two Bluetooth speakers side by side to a Windows or Mac computer and play stereo sound. It’s a bit of an annoyance, but it’s what it is and Amazon will have their reasons for it. Of course, this is justified on performance and user-friendliness grounds, although there would be a way to hook up two Amazon Echo speakers if it’s one of the models that includes a 3.5mm jack with audio in rather than just out.

            This could be done by cable, also using a splitter to run a cable to each speaker from the headphone output of your computer, mobile phone, etc. And while the idea here is to do this with a Bluetooth connection, if for some reason you want to have stereo sound, you can do so.

            What about Amazon Music?

            Another really interesting option is to use a pair of Amazon Echos to listen to stereo music on your mobile phone. To do this, several requirements must be met. First of all, you need to have an Amazon Music account. The standard version they give us with Amazon Prime is enough, though it might not have the entire music catalog you’re looking for – in which case you’ll only need to download on Unlimited for around 9.99 euros per month.

            The next step is to pair our Echo. We have to do this from the Alexa app on mobile. As a rule, we will only be able to link two identical blocks, with the exception of the Echo Sub, which can be added to devices of different generations. To create a group of speakers, we need to go to Devices in the Alexa app and enter the Merge Speakers option. Once this is done, a list will appear with the various echoes we have at home and we can mark those that are compatible with the specified option.

            Once set up, you can listen to music with Echo from the Amazon Music app on your mobile phone. All you have to do is click on the play icon on the network icon and select the combo speaker group name you created in the previous step. Now you can listen to high quality music with Echo directly from your iPhone or Android.

            Disadvantages of using the Echo as a normal speaker

            Having the ability to use Amazon smart speakers as additional Bluetooth speakers or wired speakers in the case of the Amazon Echo among some other models that you can set the 3. 5mm jack connection to as entry or exit, it turns out to be interesting. But you should also know that it’s not always perfect, has a few downsides to that you should be aware of if you’re going to use it in this way.

            Say goodbye to Alexa if you use the Echo with another audio source

            Whether you connect your computer, mobile device, or other device via Bluetooth or cable to the Amazon Echo, to use it as a regular speaker, you need to know that when you use Alexa, the sound will be interrupted by . This is something that you probably already felt and think that it is not so serious that nothing will happen. And yes, it is true that nothing happens, but if you are one of the users who use the Amazon assistant on a regular basis, it can be annoying if you are listening to music at the same time, or if, for example, you use it to play and enhance the sound or to tasks such as editing audio or video.

            In the event that you usually use Alexa several times to request information, control the lights in the house, etc. , it is much better to use independent speakers. It’s true that you’ll have a new device on your desk, work area, or rest area, but the constant interruptions are somewhat annoying. Also, while not common, sometimes it can turn off and you have to go into Bluetooth settings to collect.

            Stereo doesn’t work perfectly

            On the other hand, you should be aware that the way we use multiple echoes to create stereo sound sometimes doesn’t work the way it’s portrayed. The same goes for audio from multiple devices.

            Quite often small cuts occur during music playback, which can be annoying. This is due to both the coverage of devices and the implementation of the technology itself.

            Connect speaker to Amazon Echo

            If that little defect you’re about to find throws you back, So we’ve got a solution that might sound strange but makes sense. . And the thing is, instead of using the Amazon Echo to listen to music through it, why not connect it to an external Bluetooth speaker that offers a bit more quality and doesn’t get interrupted when we use Alexa?

            If you want to perform this operation, you must follow these steps:

            • Activate auto-detect mode Bluetooth on Echo.
            • Now open the app Alexa .
            • Select option Devices .
            • Now do the same with function Echo and Alexa .
            • Select your device.
            • choose now Bluetooth devices .
            • Complete pairing with a new bluetooth speaker.

            Should I use the Echo as a speaker?

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            It totally depends on what you are looking for. If you need a speaker for occasional use, this trick can help. However, if you thought you could connect the Echo to your computer and thus have an all-in-one speaker, with its voice assistant and all, well, we’re afraid it’s not so easy to go there.

            We really like the idea of ​​using the Echo as a Bluetooth speaker, but it’s good to gauge to what extent we’re really interested or not. If you’re looking for extended use, you might be better off getting dedicated speakers, as it’s a bit silly to forego Alexa for the sake of connecting the Echo to your computer.

            Of course, it may even work for you. Let’s say you replaced the Echo you have at home and you’re left with the Echo Dot 3. In that case, using it permanently as a computer speaker might be a better option than putting it in a box or putting it up for sale. it’s for very little money.

            Can the built-in microphone be used?

            You must have thought about it. If I can use my Alexa device as a speaker, can I also use the microphone ? For example, it would be interesting to connect the Echo to a device such as a computer or mobile phone, as well as use its microphone to make calls or any other useful functions.

            Well, many users have also tried to use this functionality, but without success. The Reddit community has done all sorts of tests with the Echo and various computers running operating systems such as Windows or macOS, and on all of them, the Echo registers as a speaker with no trace of a microphone. It is assumed that the microphone on Alexa devices is designed to el input be sent directly to Amazon converted to text . The only way to use Alexa micro on another device is to use the send information in text format skill. So no, you can’t use Alexa’s built-in microphone for other features.

            The Amazon link in this article is part of our agreement with their affiliate program and may earn us a small commission on your sale (without affecting the price you pay). However, the decision to publish and add it was made, as always, freely and in accordance with editorial criteria, without regard to the requests of the brands involved.

            Amazon Echo 4th generation smart speaker review

            The Amazon smart speaker is back with a brand new look, a built-in Zigbee smart hub, and more potential under a stylish recycled body. Fans of Amazon products will surely notice that the company has completely rethought the design of the Echo in the fourth generation model.

            The classic cylinder shape has been replaced by a Magic 8-Ball style sphere, and you might be able to get the answer you’re looking for – as long as the speaker is connected to a power source and has internet access. We were extremely surprised when we first saw the new ball-shaped Echo, however, just recently, Apple introduced its smart speaker HomePod mini , so the new Echo looks suspiciously familiar. We must pay tribute, recently HomePod mini has received only positive reviews.

            Amazon brings its once-exclusive flagship Echo Plus features—high-quality audio and a built-in smart home center—into the updated Echo speaker. However, the new fourth-generation Echo is in many ways superior to the Plus model, as it offers Zigbee device control, promises better sound than its predecessor, and, of course, features improved Alexa voice assistant. Obviously, this is the best deal by far if you want to buy a smart speaker under $100.

            The design of the

            Echo measures 13cm high, 14cm wide and is almost a perfect sphere trimmed to provide a flat and stable surface). The fourth generation model is available in black, navy blue and white.

            Amazon’s signature smart speaker light ring has been moved from the top of the speaker to the bottom of the speaker. It lights up blue when you say your chosen word to wake up Alexa, yellow when the device is grouped with another Amazon speaker, and orange when the speaker is in setup mode.

            The top panel contains buttons for calling Alexa, volume control and microphone mute. On the back, there is a power jack and a 3.5mm audio jack.

            Beneath the more mesh-like fabric covering, the Echo has a 76mm woofer and two 20mm front tweeters, a setup that supports Dolby Stereo (not to be confused with Dolby Atmos, which remains exclusive to Echo Studio in the family Amazon smart speakers). Like the older Echo Plus, it now has what Amazon calls “premium adaptive audio,” which allows it to detect the acoustics of your space and adjust audio playback accordingly.

            The drivers in the new Echo are the same size as the Echo Plus and third generation Echo speaker, but now you get two tweeters instead of one. Along with a built-in Zigbee smart home hub (previously only available on the flagship Echo Plus), there’s support for Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and the Amazon Sidewalk protocol. The purpose of the latter is to help you quickly set up new devices and expand the functionality of things like Ring Smart Lighting.

            The design of the new Echo is something worth discussing. It differs from the usual form factor. You will not confuse it with any other smart device currently on the market. Although the Echo is physically smaller than the brick-shaped Google Nest Audio, its drivers are slightly larger and you get an extra tweeter – the Nest Audio only has one 19-mm tweeter and one 75mm woofer.

            Specifications

            Powered by the Amazon AZ1 Neural Edge processor, the new Echo speaker is a brand new silicon module specifically designed to accelerate machine learning applications. With AZ1, powerful inference engines are fully processed on the device, starting a neural speech recognition model that should process requests faster and more accurately, which greatly improves Alexa’s performance – the assistant becomes even more responsive, “self-learning” and better recognizes your speech with each request .

            To reassure you that the voice assistant is not constantly listening in (you can turn off the Echo microphones whenever you want), your preference between Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa will most likely come down to compatibility with other products in your home.

            The Echo is easy to set up and launch with your smartphone (thanks to Bluetooth pairing) and Wi-Fi, and once you link your streaming service accounts, it will play music from Apple Music, Spotify or Deezer over Wi-Fi. If you don’t have a subscription to any streaming service, Echo will automatically play one of the playlists from Amazon Music by default, and you always have TuneIn radio.

            Setup is done using the well-designed and intuitive Amazon Alexa app. Within the app, you can change your Echo device’s EQ levels, give the speaker a name, and group it with other compatible Alexa speakers. For example, create a “living room” group, say “Alexa, turn on the music in the living room” and your new multi-room smart speaker system will start working.

            You can have the assistant announce that “dinner is ready” to all your family members who are in different rooms, or play music in a specific room. This is possible for every speaker in your home thanks to the intercom function. The Devices tab, followed by a Plus icon, sets up most of the interaction options, and while we found Alexa very responsive to our commands during testing, if you prefer to control everything with your phone rather than verbalize your requests aloud, just press the play button in the app, and also use your phone to make playlists.

            We’re grouping the 3rd generation cylindrical Echo and the new Echo together, allowing us to easily switch between devices and set them up separately. What you can’t do is connect two speakers into a stereo pair. Although stereo pairing is an Echo feature, it can only be done with two equivalent speakers.

            Sound during Livin’ On A Prayer’s audition, Bon Jovi’s vocals take center stage along with amazingly wide bass: deep influence of Richie Sambora’s electric guitar, backing vocals and signature voice box.

            These musical threads are much clearer and more impressive in the new Echo than in the older model.

            The song Queen Don’t Stop Me Now continues in our playlist, and we expect proper pressure on all frequencies. It’s worth noting that the speaker isn’t afraid to dive deep into low frequencies – one of our gripes with the older Echo, which had sometimes bland and under-detailed bass, and it seems like Amazon has addressed this issue.

            We switch to Outnumbered by Dermot Kennedy on Apple Music and the textured vocals take more of a lead role with an impressive yet agile bassline.

            Covered with The Sound Of Silence, the new Echo is a sound that has plenty of weight and a wide bass range for its size, but this speaker definitely lacks punch and we have to turn up the volume to get it.

            The previous generation model had very authoritative high frequencies, and this is its advantage, even though the new model has a little more detail. We fire up Adele’s “When We Were Young” and get a slightly brighter, candid and emotional presentation of her upper registers on a third generation speaker.

            Of course, the advantage of the spherical speaker’s subdued highs is the fact that it handles tracks with more refinement, while an older model may show excessive brightness or harshness on some recordings. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you prefer a fun, punchy sound or a more integrated approach to Hi-Fi performance. The only thing worth saying is that the high frequencies of the reviewed column definitely need to be improved.

            Verdict

            The new Echo’s minor sonic flaws aside, the usability and appeal cannot simply be ignored. Alexa showcases all its skills and abilities here, support for the Alexa app makes it easy to place and configure speakers in multiple rooms, and the sound quality, while not perfect, easily passes the test of smart speaker sound quality, especially at this price point.

            The Amazon Echo (4th generation) is the ultimate foundation for building your smart home system and easily surpasses its predecessor in bass depth, subtlety and power.