Amazon Echo (2nd Generation)

The Amazon Echo (2nd Gen) has good overall sound quality. Bass has decent definition but has so-so impact and deep bass is lacking. Midrange is fairly even, but is somewhat grainy, plasticky, and processed sounding. Treble is dry and smeared. Doesn't do a good job recovering room ambience, is somewhat congested, and lacking in detail. No significant difference between Bluetooth and WiFi sound quality. Provides a decent volume level in a medium sized room but gets harsh sounding at louder volumes. Audio is monophonic.

Versatility is very good. It's a mono speaker, with multi-room support but lacks stereo pairing support with another Echo (2nd Gen). Wireless: WiFi supports dual-band and this unit has Bluetooth and can output to another speaker but lacks speakerphone functionality. Communications: Has support for calling, texting and messaging - called "Drop In". Digital Assistant Muting: Has a dedicated switch to disable the digital assistant by muting its microphones. Audio Connections: Lacks analog audio input but has an analog audio output. Audio Tailoring: Lacks any user tone controls. OS Support: Fire OS, Android and iOS. Other connections and features: Lacks a USB device port. Streaming by voice command: Supports voice command of many common streaming services such as Amazon Music, Pandora, Spotify, Tune-In, and iHeart Radio. Voice ID: Supports voice identity - a feature which allows the account holder with their "voice print" to access personal information.

Overall ease of use of the Amazon Echo (2nd Generation) is very good. Wireless setup: When unit is plugged in it verbally states to follow app instructions, requires signing in to Amazon account. Steps are intuitive and require selecting wireless network and enter network password. User is presented with a video tutorial. Bluetooth: Bluetooth unavailable until WiFi setup is complete. Setup instructions are not provided during unit setup but are available deep in app help section. Two methods are specified: 1) Pairing setup by voice command 2) Pairing setup started via settings menu. Requires more steps than the usual. However, they are straight forward and intuitive. Console controls: Volume controls are prominent +/- with graphical indicators of volume level which are non-persistent and easily repeatable via verbal commands and easy to actuate. Also, generates a tone with respect to the level selected with discrete volume changes with the physical controls. Audio mute: Lacks console mute or play/pause control. Microphone mute: Well marked, well placed, clear indication when it is engaged. Source selections: App can switch between wireless sources but can't switch to Bluetooth source which requires exiting the app to manually reconnect to paired Bluetooth source or Bluetooth can be connected by a verbal command to previously paired device. App remote: The volume control symbol leads to a volume slider which lacks index markings so not easily repeatable, but easy to actuate. Shown while in menu selection (Graphic EQ Symbol) for currently playing music (If multiple devices in account then the device may require selection). Mute: Well marked, well placed, clear indication when it is engaged. Voice transport controls: Natural language control of transport (Play/Pause/Skip/Mute), volume controls and source selection was easy and intuitive.