The Amazon Echo Studio promises to be not only the best-sounding Echo speaker yet, but also a smart speaker that’s truly for audiophiles. Not only does the Echo Studio feature improved internal components capable of CD-quality and Hi-Res audio, both of which are now available through Amazon Music Unlimited – the latest incarnation of the company’s music streaming service – but it also supports 3D audio via tracks encoded in Sony’s 360 Reality Audio and Dolby Atmos.
The Echo Studio continues the design language of previous Echo speakers: it’s cylindrically shaped and covered in a charcoal gray fabric fabric. It is significantly larger than any previous Echo and dwarfs the Sonos One and Apple Home Pod. Its souped-up exterior helps drive 330W of power to two 5cm midrange drivers positioned on the left and right, a 25mm tweeter in the center and a 5cm midrange radiating upward. Bass is provided by a downward-firing 5.25-inch woofer.
[content-egg-block template=offers_logo hide=price]There are volume buttons on the top, as well as a button to mute the microphone and wake up Alexa. And yes, the blue light ring remains so you know when Alexa is listening. The location of the drivers allows the Echo Studio to use a feature of Amazon Music Unlimited, which is the library of “hundreds” of songs available in Dolby Atmos Music. This uses the audio format to mix tracks with greater control over different elements and the positioning of different elements in the sound field.
Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group offer tracks in the Dolby Atmos Music format, while there is also a competing format in Sony’s 360 Reality Audio, which is also supported by the Amazon Echo Studio. Otherwise, the Studio has all the typical features of Echo devices. You can set timers, reminders and alarms, control smart home devices, play music, learn facts and trivia – all by asking Alexa questions or barking commands.
When you first turn on the Echo Studio, Alexa tunes the sound to the acoustics of your room by emitting a series of different test tones and responding to the readings. The whole process takes no more than a few seconds, but you’ll need to recalibrate the speaker if you move it. You can access sound control, manually change the volume, and pair another Echo Studio or manage and group all the other Echo speakers you own via the Alexa app for Android and iOS.
Amazon has also built additional flexibility into the Echo Studio. You can wirelessly pair one or two of the speakers with a Fire TV Cube (1st or 2nd generation), Fire TV Stick 4K, or Fire TV (3rd generation) to create a Dolby Atmos home theater setup. It’s not 5.1 surround sound, but if you connect a stereo pair, you have a great way to enhance the sound from your TV.