The Amazon Echo Plus is a smart speaker designed by Amazon that includes Alexa, Amazon's voice assistant. The Echo Plus has a number of features that make it stand out from other smart speakers on the market, including improved audio quality and the ability to act as a hub for smart home devices.
Design
The Echo Plus has a cylindrical shape with a fabric covering that comes in a variety of colors, including charcoal, heather gray, and sandstone. The device stands 9.3 inches tall and has a diameter of 3.3 inches. On the top of the device are buttons for volume control, microphone on/off, and Alexa activation. There is also a ring around the top that illuminates to indicate when Alexa is listening or processing a request.
Audio Quality
One of the main selling points of the Echo Plus is its improved audio quality compared to other Echo devices. The Echo Plus has a 3-inch woofer and 0.8-inch tweeter, as well as Dolby processing that helps enhance the sound. The result is a speaker that can fill a room with rich, clear sound, making it great for listening to music or podcasts.
Alexa Integration
The Echo Plus includes Alexa, Amazon's voice assistant. Alexa can be used to control smart home devices, answer questions, play music, set reminders, and more. The Echo Plus has far-field voice recognition, meaning it can hear commands from across the room even while music is playing. The microphone can also be turned off for privacy.
Smart Home Hub
One of the unique features of the Echo Plus is its ability to act as a hub for smart home devices. The device includes a built-in Zigbee hub, which allows it to connect to and control compatible smart home devices without the need for additional hubs or apps. This can simplify the process of setting up a smart home and make it easier to control all devices from one central location.
Setup and Use
Setting up the Echo Plus is relatively simple. Once the device is plugged in, the Alexa app can be used to connect it to Wi-Fi and set up any compatible smart home devices. Once set up, the Echo Plus can be controlled using voice commands or through the Alexa app on a smartphone or tablet.
Additional Features
In addition to its main features, the Echo Plus has a number of additional features that can be useful for users. These include the ability to make phone calls, send messages, and order items from Amazon using voice commands. The device also has a 3.5mm audio output, allowing it to be connected to external speakers for even better audio quality.
Conclusion
Overall, the Amazon Echo Plus is a powerful and versatile smart speaker that offers improved audio quality and the ability to act as a hub for smart home devices. With Alexa integration and a range of additional features, the Echo Plus is a great choice for anyone looking to add a smart speaker to their home. While it may be more expensive than some other smart speakers on the market, the improved audio quality and smart home hub capabilities make it worth the investment for many users.
However, there are some potential drawbacks to consider when deciding if the Echo Plus is the right choice for you. First, the device does require a stable internet connection in order to function properly. Without a strong Wi-Fi signal, the Echo Plus may struggle to respond to voice commands or connect to smart home devices.
Secondly, while the Echo Plus includes a built-in Zigbee hub, not all smart home devices are compatible with Zigbee. If you already have smart home devices that use a different protocol, such as Z-Wave or Wi-Fi, you may still need to use additional hubs or apps to control those devices.
Finally, some users may be concerned about the privacy implications of having a device with always-on microphones in their home. While the Echo Plus does include a microphone off button, some users may still be uncomfortable with the idea of a device that is always listening.
In terms of price, the Echo Plus is on the higher end of the spectrum compared to other smart speakers on the market. However, given its improved audio quality and smart home hub capabilities, many users may feel that the additional cost is justified.
Overall, the Amazon Echo Plus is a powerful and versatile smart speaker that is well-suited for users who are looking to add a high-quality audio experience and smart home hub capabilities to their home. While it may not be the right choice for everyone, those who prioritize audio quality and smart home integration will likely find the Echo Plus to be a worthwhile investment.
