Amazon Upgrades Standard Echo Speaker With Focus on Better Sound Quality
Amazon releases the third-generation Echo, prioritizing improved audio quality over the swappable fabric design of the previous model. The $99 device delivers better bass and serves as a solid middle ground between the budget Echo Dot and the premium Echo Studio.
Amazon refreshes its standard $99 Echo smart speaker with a strong focus on improved audio quality rather than cosmetic gimmicks. The third-generation device abandons the swappable fabric covers of the previous model and instead prioritizes the speaker component, which the company often neglected in earlier iterations. This updated Echo sits comfortably in the middle of Amazon's rapidly expanding smart home lineup, bridging the gap between the budget-friendly Echo Dot and the high-end Echo Studio.
The new hardware delivers decent 360-degree sound and surprisingly heavy bass, utilizing a 3.0-inch woofer and a 0.8-inch tweeter. This audio setup closely mirrors the specifications of the previous generation's Echo Plus, raising questions about the future of that specific product line. Additionally, the device includes a 3.5-inch audio jack for inputting or outputting sound, giving users more flexibility in how they manage their audio setups.
While the Echo works perfectly well on its own for casual listening in spaces like a kitchen or home office, software and hardware integrations transform it into a viable component for a larger sound system. Users take advantage of features like stereo pairing and multi-room music, along with compatible accessories like the Echo Sub. As the smart speaker market continues to experience massive global growth, Amazon's aggressive hardware updates help the company maintain a leading position against competitors like Google.