Amazon's Echo smart speaker lineup featuring Alexa has expanded to encompass 3D Audio with the new Echo Studio, scheduled for release November 7 for $199.99 (you can preorder one now ). This newcomer is designed to produce 3D sound, both from stereo sources using Dolby Atmos processing and from content mastered in 3D sound.
Amazon says is supports "Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, Tidal, and more. With Amazon Music HD, play 50 million songs in HD plus a growing library of music mastered in 3D." And with Alexa voice assistant, the Echo Studio is able to find the music you want through voice search as well as provide much more functionality, like controlling home automation (Zigbee compatible).
According to Amazon, the Echo Studio uses its microphone array for more than just Alexa. It is able to automatically and seamlessly adapt to the room it is in. And for privacy-minded users there is a microphone on/off switch
The Echo Studio achieves 3D music playback by using a total of five speaker drivers (1" tweeter, three 2" mid-range speakers, and 5.25" woofer). There are mid-range drivers pointing left, right and up, with the tweeter facing forward. Echo Studio uses these drivers and DSP to generate a 3D soundfield by "sending different parts of the song to your ears from different directions" says Amazon.
Amazon Echo Studio has 5 speaker drivers for 3D sound
Echo Studio is also able to decode 5.1 Dolby SUrround so you can use it with a TV Furthermore, you can link two Echo Studios for an enhanced listening experience in "traditional" stereo. A down-firing woofer provides the bass.
Echo Studio Specifications (from Amazon):
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Amazon says is supports "Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, Tidal, and more. With Amazon Music HD, play 50 million songs in HD plus a growing library of music mastered in 3D." And with Alexa voice assistant, the Echo Studio is able to find the music you want through voice search as well as provide much more functionality, like controlling home automation (Zigbee compatible).
According to Amazon, the Echo Studio uses its microphone array for more than just Alexa. It is able to automatically and seamlessly adapt to the room it is in. And for privacy-minded users there is a microphone on/off switch
The Echo Studio achieves 3D music playback by using a total of five speaker drivers (1" tweeter, three 2" mid-range speakers, and 5.25" woofer). There are mid-range drivers pointing left, right and up, with the tweeter facing forward. Echo Studio uses these drivers and DSP to generate a 3D soundfield by "sending different parts of the song to your ears from different directions" says Amazon.
Amazon Echo Studio has 5 speaker drivers for 3D sound
Echo Studio is also able to decode 5.1 Dolby SUrround so you can use it with a TV Furthermore, you can link two Echo Studios for an enhanced listening experience in "traditional" stereo. A down-firing woofer provides the bass.
Echo Studio Specifications (from Amazon):
Size | 8.1” height x 6.9” diameter (206 mm x 175 mm) |
Weight | 7.7 lb (3.5 kg) Actual size and weight may vary by manufacturing process. |
Audio | Three 2” (51 mm) midrange speakers, one 1” (25 mm) tweeter, one 5.25” (133 mm) woofer with bass aperture to maximize bass output |
Dolby Atmos processing | Transforms stereo tracks and plays native 3D content like Dolby Atmos and MPEG-H (including Sony 360 Reality Audio) |
Supported music streaming services | Amazon Music (Standard and HD), Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal, Deezer, Pandora, SiriusXM, iHeartRadio, TuneIn |
Automatic room adaptation | Analyzes the acoustics of the room and continuously adjusts audio filters during music playback to optimize sound output regardless of placement (requires device is not muted). |
Audio input | Combination 3.5 mm/mini-optical Toslink |
Fire TV compatibility | Connects wirelessly as the audio output for Fire TV Cube (1st Gen and 2nd Gen), Fire TV Stick 4K and Fire TV (3rd Gen). |
Wi-Fi connectivity | Dual-band Wi-Fi supports 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 and 5 GHz) networks. Does not support connecting to ad-hoc (or peer-to-peer) Wi-Fi networks. |
Zigbee connectivity | Built-in Zigbee smart home hub supports Zigbee light bulbs, locks, sensors, plugs, and in-wall switches. |
Bluetooth connectivity | Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) support for audio streaming from your mobile device to Echo or from Echo to your Bluetooth speaker. Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP) for voice control of connected mobile devices. Hands-free voice control is not supported for Mac OS X devices. Bluetooth speakers requiring PIN codes are not supported. |
Alexa app | The Amazon Alexa app is compatible with Fire OS, Android, and iOS devices. A list of supported operating systems can be found here . |
Accessibility features | The Alexa app and Alexa-enabled products include several features for customers with accessibility needs related to vision, hearing, mobility, and speech. Learn more about Alexa accessibility . |
Warranty and service | 1 year limited warranty and service included. Optional 1-year , 2-year , and 3-year extended warranty available for U.S. customers sold separately. Use of Echo Studio is subject to the terms found here . |
Setup technology | Amazon Wi-Fi simple setup enables customers to connect smart devices to their Wi-Fi network in a few easy steps. Wi-Fi simple setup is another way Alexa is always getting smarter. Learn more . |
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