The online presentation of Amazon Devices was rich in new features unveiled, and among these, some Echo speakers which benefit from a brand new version. This is particularly the case with the manufacturer’s high-end speaker, the Echo Studio. For its second iteration, the eldest of the Echo family largely retains its initial design, still with the famous light ring, the mechanical buttons and the vent present on the lower part of the speaker. The biggest changes are internal.
First, the Amazon Echo Studio would be equipped with a brand new sound spatialization algorithm capable, according to the manufacturer, of “reproducing the performance of a stereo Hi-Fi system, in order to obtain a better feeling of vocal presence in the center of the stage and a better definition of the instruments positioned on the sides of the stage for a more immersive listening”. Nothing is said about the system’s capabilities on multi-channel content, but the speaker still supports Dolby Atmos and Sony 360 Reality Audio content. Amazon specifies that this algorithm has been added to its Echo Show 15 smart display and will be rolled out to other Echo speakers in the future via firmware updates.
The second improvement also affects signal processing, this time with an improvement in the speaker’s frequency response for deeper bass and a gain in midrange clarity. No technical information has been provided to support this promise.
The fifth generation of Echo Dot and Echo Dot with clock also does not change its design, but has the luxury of a new acoustic architecture. Among other things, the speaker benefits from a new long-excursion full-range speaker designed specifically for it, thus promising “twice as much bass”, “50% less distortion” and “clear vocals”. Suffice to say that you will have to wait to hear it to really know the sound performance.
The Echo Dot now house an accelerometer and a temperature sensor to expand their range of features: it will be possible to tap directly on the speaker to manage the playback of a song or stop an alarm, for example. Alexa will also be able to indicate the indoor temperature and activate certain connected objects according to the measured temperature. Promised to be brighter, the small display of the Dot with clock will now be able to scroll through the name of a musical title and its artist or even the name of an event set in its personal agenda.
Last novelty distilled by Amazon during this presentation for the Echo Dot: the integration of a Wi-Fi eero repeater function. This feature will also be unlocked by a firmware update on the fourth generation Echo speakers on October 20 and in the following months for the Echo Dot.
Amazon has unfortunately “torpedoed” its product presentation and has, at the time of writing, not yet shared further details. We are obviously watching the arrival of information closely, which we will add as soon as possible. In any case, the Amazon Echo Studio and Echo Dot, Echo Dot with clock have been announced at the respective prices of 200 and 50 €. and €60. Availability is scheduled for next month. A “child” version of the Echo Dot, at $60, was also presented with a slightly revisited design and a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+ included.