Hello readers! I am Tanmay Chauhan, and today I bring you a review of a great gadget. Today we will talk about Amazon’s most popular smart speaker, Amazon Echo (4th Gen). It is not just a speaker, but the heart of your smart home. So let’s find out how well this device lives up to our expectations.
Amazon Echo (4th Gen) Overview
In today’s era, the craze of smart speakers is constantly increasing. One of these, Amazon Echo (4th Gen) has made a place in the hearts of people with its unique design, great features and great sound quality.
This device is not limited to just playing music, but can make your entire house dance at your fingertips. In this review, we will know every aspect of it in detail so that you can decide whether it is a perfect companion for your home or not.
Amazon Echo (4th Gen) Design and texture
If you have ever seen the old models of Echo, then its spherical design will look completely new to you. It looks like a magic 8-ball, whoever sees it just keeps looking at it. With a height of about 5.2 inches and a width of 5.7 inches, this speaker comes in many beautiful colors like Charcoal, Glacier White and Twilight Blue. Its fabric covering not only gives it a premium look, but also improves its sound.
Some salient features of the design:
- Round Shape: Its new round shape gives a modern touch to your living room.
- Light Ring: The light ring is now placed at the bottom of the speaker, which gives off a soft and attractive light when Alexa is activated.
- Material: Keeping the environment in mind, Amazon has made this device from 100% recycled material, which is really praiseworthy.
Its build is very solid and sturdy. However, its design diffuses the sound a little less from the back, unlike the older cylindrical models which diffused the sound from all sides.
Amazon Echo (4th Gen) Sound Performance
In terms of sound quality, the Echo (4th Gen) has improved a lot from its previous models. It has a 3-inch woofer and two 0.8-inch tweeters, which together deliver a powerful audio experience.
Sound Features:
- Bass: Its bass is very powerful. If you are a bass-lover, then this one will not disappoint you.
- Mid and High Frequencies: The bass is great, but some users may find the treble a bit lacking, which is found in high-end speakers.
- Dolby Audio Support: It also has support for Dolby Audio, which makes the music even better.
Overall, this is a speaker with great sound quality at this price point, perfect for everyday music and podcasts.
Smart Home Integration
The biggest feature of Echo (4th Gen) is its built-in Zigbee hub. This means that you can connect Zigbee-enabled smart lights, plugs and other devices directly to it. Now you will not need a separate hub.
Benefits of Smart Home Control:
- Great Compatibility: It works with a wide range of smart devices, making it the central hub of your smart home.
- Voice Commands: You can give commands like “Alexa, turn off the lights” or “Alexa, turn on the AC” with your voice.
- Multi-room functionality: You can pair multiple Echo devices to play music simultaneously throughout your home.
This feature is amazing for those who want to make their home smart.
Amazon Echo (4th Gen) Alexa voice assistant
The soul of this speaker is Alexa. It not only answers your questions but also makes all your work easier.
Features of Alexa:
- Information: You can ask Alexa about the weather, news, traffic, or just about anything else.
- Music Streaming: It supports all the popular music platforms like Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music, and JioSaavn.
- Skills: Alexa has thousands of skills, like playing games, getting recipes, or booking a cab.
Alexa’s accuracy and speed make it even more special.
Setup and Connectivity
Setting up the Amazon Echo (4th Gen) is child’s play. Just download the Alexa app and follow the instructions.
Connectivity options:
- Wi-Fi: This connects to your home Wi-Fi network.
- Bluetooth: You can also connect it to your phone as a Bluetooth speaker.
- 3.5mm AUX Port: It also has a 3.5mm audio output port, so you can connect it to other speakers.
User Experience
Its circular design and voice control feature make it very easy to use. You can control it just by speaking, which makes your work even easier.
Ease of Use
- Voice Activation: Just say “Alexa” and it will get to work.
- App integration: From the Alexa app, you can change settings and add new skills.
- Multi-room audio: Connect multiple speakers together to create a party atmosphere throughout your home.
Limitations
It also has some drawbacks, which are important to know.
Notable Drawbacks
- Sound limitation: It’s not powerful enough for larger rooms.
- Privacy concerns: As with any smart device, there can be data and privacy concerns.
- Portability: It requires electricity to operate.
Comparisons with Competitors
Google and Apple also have smart speakers in the market. The Google Nest Audio is good for Google users, while the Apple HomePod Mini may appeal to Apple users. But the Echo (4th Gen) stands out due to its smart home capabilities and Alexa skills.
Amazon Echo (4th Gen) Price and Value
Priced at around $99, this is a great deal. Considering its price and features, this is a very value-for-money product.
Conclusion
Overall, the Amazon Echo (4th Gen) is a smart speaker that is a great package of design, sound and smart home features. If you want a device that can make your home smarter and make your everyday tasks easier, this is a great option. In my opinion, this is a great investment for every Indian home that wants to embrace technology.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does Amazon Echo (4th Gen) only work with Amazon Music?
No, it supports multiple music platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, JioSaavn, and Amazon Music, so you can play the songs of your choice.
2. Can I use Echo without Wi-Fi?
No, Echo (4th Gen) requires a Wi-Fi connection to be fully operational. However, you can use it as a Bluetooth speaker without Wi-Fi as well.
3. Does the Echo (4th Gen) have a battery?
No, it is not portable. You have to keep it connected to electricity at all times to operate it.
4. Can I set Alexa to talk in Hindi?
Yes, Alexa can be set to Hindi language. You can change the language settings in your Alexa app and talk to Alexa in Hindi.
5. Can Echo (4th Gen) be connected to a TV?
Yes, you can connect Echo (4th Gen) to your TV via Bluetooth or 3.5mm audio cable to enjoy better sound.
6. Can I connect multiple Echo devices simultaneously?
Yes, you can connect multiple Echo devices into a group using the Alexa app, allowing you to play music simultaneously throughout your home.
