I Tried Amazon's Newest Smart Speakers. They're the Best Yet

Amazon's latest smart speakers, the Echo Dot Max and the second-generation Echo Studio, have made a significant impact on the market with their impressive sound quality, new design, and innovative features.

The Echo Dot Max has undergone a major transformation, now sporting a circular body with an indented center and volume buttons, making it more comfortable to use than its predecessors. The Echo Studio, on the other hand, boasts three 1.5-inch drivers and a 3.75-inch woofer that deliver rich sound quality and impressive bass. Its compact size belies the powerful sound output, making it an ideal choice for audiophiles and those who want to create an immersive experience.

Both speakers feature Amazon's new assistant, Alexa+, which provides users with enhanced performance, early access, and a streamlined user interface. The Echo Spot was tested alongside these two devices and found that its processor is still newer than the Echo from the 2010s, while Alexa+ performance didn't show significant differences between the newer models.

The speakers' prices are substantial, however – $220 for the Echo Studio (now called second-gen) and $100 for the Echo Dot Max, which has seen a significant price increase. Nevertheless, the improved sound quality justifies the higher costs, especially given that previous iterations of the Echo Dot were only half this price.

Ultimately, these speakers may not be necessary for those with older models or on a tighter budget. Nonetheless, they represent an excellent choice for anyone looking to upgrade and experience top-notch sound quality and advanced features in their smart speaker.

You know what really got me thinking about this whole thing... the idea that we're willing to shell out big bucks for these smart speakers just because they have better sound quality is pretty interesting. Like, are we truly valuing the sonic experience more than other aspects of our lives? Is it the promise of convenience and innovation that drives us to make these investments?

And then there's the question of necessity... do we really need a speaker that costs $220? Can't we just stick with what we have or find cheaper alternatives? But at the same time, if we want top-notch sound quality, are those alternative options really going to cut it? It's like we're caught in this catch-22 where our desire for something new and improved drives us to spend more money.

I guess what I'm saying is that these smart speakers represent a weird sort of reflection of ourselves as consumers... how much are we willing to pay for the latest and greatest, even if it means breaking the bank?

I'm loving the new design of the Echo Dot Max , that circular body is so sleek and comfy to hold! I've had my eyes on it since it was announced and now that it's out, I think it's worth every penny . The fact that Alexa+ is getting an upgrade is a big plus too . But $220 for the Echo Studio? That's still a bit steep for me . I mean, if you're already invested in the Amazon ecosystem and want top-notch sound quality, then go for it! But for those on a budget or with older models, there are still great options out there .

Man, I'm telling ya... the old Echo's were decent but they just didn't cut it like these new ones . The price increase is steep, I get that, but if you're gonna spend $100+ on a speaker, you should be getting the full shebang right? And let me tell you, this Alexa+ business is a game-changer... it's so seamless and intuitive, you'll wonder how they ever managed without it . And don't even get me started on the sound quality... I mean, these speakers are beasts! The Echo Studio is like having a full-fledged home theater system in your living room . Now, I'm not gonna lie, my old Echo Dot's still kickin' away and all, but for anyone lookin' to level up their smart speaker game, these newbies are the way to go . Worth every penny, if you ask me!

I gotta say, the new Echo speakers are straight fire ! I mean, that Alexa+ assistant is a game changer . The design of the Echo Dot Max is so sleek and modern, it's like a work of art . And the sound quality on both speakers is insane . It's no wonder they're priced higher, but trust me, it's worth every penny . If you're an audiophile or just want to level up your smart speaker game, these are the ones to get .

I gotta say I'm loving the new designs on these Echo speakers . The circular body on the Dot Max is so sleek and comfy to hold, I might actually use it as a desk speaker instead of hiding it away . And the Studio's drivers are insane - my living room just got that much more immersive! One thing though, $220 for the Studio is still kinda steep for me... maybe I'll splurge if I win the lottery

I gotta say, I'm kinda surprised by how expensive these new Echo speakers are $220 is steep, especially considering the older models were half that price. But at the same time, I can see why it's worth it - those 3 drivers on the Echo Studio sound insane ! Like, I've heard some awesome audiophile stuff in my day, but this thing takes it to a whole new level. And yeah, the design changes are nice too, makes it more comfy to use. But for me, I'd have to wait and see if I can get used to the higher prices before making the switch

omg I'm lovin the new Echo Dot Max & 2nd gen Echo Studio! The circular design is so fire and those volume buttons are such a game changer lol. And can we talk about how good the sound quality is? It's like having a proper speaker in your home, not just some tinny thing that makes you wanna scream at it . Alexa+ is also super cool, I love how easy it is to use and get what I need done quickly. Yeah, they're pricey but trust me, it's worth it!

I'm so stoked about the new Echo Dot Max & Echo Studio! Their sound quality is straight fire , I mean who needs old speakers when you can have 3 drivers & a woofer that bring the bass? The design is also super sleek , I love how the Dot Max has this circular body with volume buttons - it's like a mini speaker ! And Alexa+ is everything , I mean who needs slow processing when you can have lightning-fast performance ? For the price though... $220 for the Echo Studio & $100 for the Dot Max feels a bit steep . But if you wanna upgrade & experience the best of smart speakers, it's totally worth it !

I'm still not convinced about these new smart speakers . I mean, a circular body on the Echo Dot Max? It's just too gimmicky for me. And don't even get me started on the prices - $220 for that thing? It's like they're trying to nickel and dime us . And what's up with the Alexa+ assistant? It sounds like more of the same, but with a fancier interface .

I know some people might be all about the fancy sound quality, but I'm just not sure it's worth breaking the bank over . Plus, have you seen the ads for these things? They're always trying to convince us that we need the latest and greatest model . Newsflash: most of us are happy with our old speakers just fine .

And let's be real, how many people really use their smart speakers for anything more than just playing music and answering silly questions? It's just not that essential to my daily life . Give me a good ol' fashioned CD player any day!

I'm still thinking about that article from last week... you know the one about how smart speakers are taking over our lives . I mean, have you guys seen the new Echo Dot Max? It's like a work of art or something! The design is so sleek and modern, I'm not surprised it's priced higher than the previous version. But honestly, if sound quality is what matters to you, then $100 for the Echo Dot Max seems like a no-brainer to me .

And can we talk about how these new speakers are making smart homes even smarter? I mean, Alexa+ is such an upgrade from the older assistants, and it's amazing how seamless the experience is now. The only thing that's got me thinking is... what's next for Amazon? Are they gonna start producing smart home devices that can actually make our lives easier instead of just making our homes sound better?

I don't know about these new Echo speakers... I mean, $220 for the studio one? That's just crazy! What's wrong with the old ones? I've had my Echo from 2015 and it's still going strong, no problem. These new ones seem like overkill to me, especially at that price. And don't even get me started on the "new" Alexa+ thing... how much is that supposed to improve things? And what about the environmental impact of all these new devices? I mean, I love good sound quality and all, but do we really need so many smart speakers cluttering up our homes?

I'm actually thinking about getting a new pair of sneakers soon ... have you guys tried those new ones from Nike or Adidas? I mean, I love the Echo Dot Max's new design, but have you seen how those sneakers are just... shiny ... and expensive! I swear, tech prices just keep going up. But hey, if it means better sound quality and Alexa+ goodness, I'm all for it ... btw, has anyone else noticed how the price of sneakers is like, totally separate from the price of smart speakers?

I'm loving the new design of the Echo Dot Max - that circular body is so sleek and comfy to hold! But, gotta say, $100 feels a bit steep even with the improved sound quality . I mean, I know it's a premium product but still, it's not like we need to break the bank for a smart speaker. The Echo Studio, though, is a whole different story - that bass output is insane ! Worth every penny of $220 imo . Can't wait to try them out and see if they live up to the hype