See what Alexa can do
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This is a review of the Echo (4th generation) in glacier white colour that came complete with one Philips Hue white smart bulb.
I have to admit I have resisted moving into the "smart" products market. I saw little point in them and was happy enough with my various computers, laptop, tablet, smart phones, hi fi, and so on. What more did I need to complete my life? According to my daughter, I needed to "smart-up"!
I did read a number of the reviews on this Amazon sales page and I spent time reading the tech reviews online before making a decision. The fact that Amazon offered a good returns guarantee on this product tipped me over the edge and I ordered one.
I was really pleased with the packaging, a lot of effort has gone into that and it immediately warmed me towards the product - and I was surprised that it is quite a weighty object that is not as small as I thought (I really should pay attention to dimensions and check with a tape measure). A quick look at the brief set-up instructions, find a spot for the Echo, download the appropriate app, plug in, follow the brief and very easy instructions, and all was done. Barely a few minutes and I was listening to one of my favourite radio stations - although had to rush to turn the volume down because the initial setting was enough to let my neighbours across the green hear me.
To say I was amazed is an understatement. I had assumed all sorts of complications were in store for me but all it took was a few key presses and a spoken command, and I was ready.
I listen to various radio stations almost all day (and night), interspersed with playing music from CDs and other sources. So I was interested to hear what the Echo's two tweeters and woofer could do. I didn't like the initial audio set-up so after a quick Google search for advice, I went into the Alexa app and decreased the bass a little, increased the middle a little, left the treble as it was and... to my ears, a tone that I could live with. Okay, it isn't hi fi quality but then it isn't meant to be, especially at this price, and at lower listening volumes, little hi fi quality can be detected anyway from an average hi fi.
Over the week or so I have been using the Echo, I have played various radio stations - oldies, classical, rock, pop, and the Echo handled them all with no issues and the sound quality was far better than I could ever have imagined from such a small unit. Changing stations is a breeze, simply give the command and a second or two later the new station is playing. I have also given the command to play different kinds of music and different artists and, again, Echo accomplished this without a problem - mostly coming from the Amazon music library.
There is so much more Alexa can do and I am only just exploring a few them - again, nothing difficult there either. I even set up the Philips bulb in just a few minutes and so Alexa can turn on that lamp, turn it off, dim, brighten, whatever I might need.
Dislikes - there has to be some, obviously. Firstly, the huge price of Philips bulbs which, I assume, are the best quality. I see no reason for such prices - but then 20 years ago I was paying £11 for an energy saving bulb that soon went down to £1 and now are obsolete because we have LEDs. Hopefully, the same will apply with Philips bulbs, the prices will come down as more are sold - then perhaps I can buy more.
Second dislike, and it is just a personal one - the Echo has various volume settings but they are numbered 1 through to 10. In an average sized living room for radio listening I find 2 is okay for late night, 3 is too loud if I am also working at my desk, but there is no way of asking Alexa to set the volume to a certain %, so I need to go into my phone app each day to set the volume % that suits me for daytime listening (26-27%). Believe it or not, there is a noticeable difference between the 27% and the 30% volume that is Alexa's volume 3. Alternatively, I can fiddle around with the volume buttons on the top of the Echo. I would, therefore, liked to have seen audio commands for percentages of audio volume rather than up, down, or a number 1 - 10 (if 6 can be heard across the green here, I dread to think what 10 would be like).
All that being said, this is a purchase I am delighted with and I will get a lot of use out of. Already it is my go-to for radio listening and a simple command gets it all working when I turn on the light - yes, I have to manually turn on the living room light until I get a smart bulb with the wattage intensity I want for a main light and then Alexa can turn it on for me at the same time as turning on the radio. Don't say it - Alexa can almost make a cup of tea - well, it could start the kettle boiling if it is plugged into a smart plug.
Should you buy one? I should say so. And given the growing number of accessories that can be added, this is a good start to acquiring a smarter home. I said at the start of this review the fact Amazon offered a good returns guarantee on this product tipped me over the edge to buy one - take note, Amazon, you are not having it back, it's all mine now.
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Reviews with images
Good sound - easy to mount when you know how!
Much better sound than the echo dots. We use 2 of them in gazebos outside. A good buy at £60 when on offer. Probably not worth the full price. The screw mount is a standard tripod size. I wanted a firm wall fixing and not the plastic loop holders you can get. Bought a quick release tripod head for £13, drilled two holes and works perfectly. You will need to put some washers or something under it when screwing it to a wall as the release lever is deeper than the mount plate, see side view photo.
