Table of Contents
Apple’s HomePod and Google’s Home Max are both made for audiophiles, but Amazon hasn’t made anything similar yet. The company didn’t make a product to compete with either of these, but instead made the Echo Sub, which is an add-on to the Echo line.
This is more like how Sonos does things, with the Sonos Sub being a great match for two Sonos One smart speakers, for example. The Echo Sub is an exciting product that improves the sound of Echo speakers. It has a more defined bass and is easy to set up, but if you want the best sound quality, you should look elsewhere.
Amazon Echo Sub SPECIFICAIONS
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Wireless Subwoofer |
| Compatibility | Amazon Echo (2nd Gen), Echo Plus (2nd Gen), Echo (3rd Gen), Echo Dot (3rd Gen), Echo Studio |
| Connectivity | Wireless Connection to Compatible Echo Devices |
| Sound Output | 100W Max |
| Dimensions | 8.3 x 8.3 x 13.1 inches |
| Weight | 9.3 pounds |
Amazon Echo Sub review: Design
Compared to most other subwoofers, the Echo Sub is so small that it’s almost a joke. It’s about a quarter to half the size of the wireless subwoofers that usually come with soundbars. It’s a 7.9-by-8.2-inch (HW) cylinder.
It also only weighs 9.3 pounds, while most subwoofers for home theater systems weigh more than 15 pounds. It looks like a much wider version of the Echo Plus, with the same curved edges and fabric grille around the sides. There are no white or gray versions of the subwoofer like there are for the Echo Plus, Echo Dot, and Echo Show 5. You can buy this smart speaker from its official website.
Amazon Echo Sub review: Setup
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n to connect to the internet, and a single button on the back to start setting it up. The speaker would be more useful if it had a separate audio input on the back, like the one on a Dot, but without a crossover or volume control.
You can see why Amazon didn’t add those features: keep it simple, subwoofer. Setup is meant to be as easy as possible, but at first we had trouble. We eventually figured out that you have to start from scratch if you already have a stereo pair of Echos set up and want to add the Sub.
Amazon Echo Sub review: Connectivity
Let’s say you don’t have an Echo speaker yet. In this case, the Echo Show is a one-piece stereo device that is very loud and has great bass response. It also has a 10-inch touch screen for visual information. With full Bluetooth connectivity and a price of $250, you get an attractive package that costs less than buying an Echo Plus and an Echo Sub together.
Amazon Echo Sub review: Performance
Since this is a review of a subwoofer, we chose songs with a lot of bass. “Flight of the Cosmic Hippo,” by Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, is a great subwoofer test. It’s on their album of the same name. On the Echo Plus speakers, it sounded pretty good, but the bass didn’t have the power I’ve come to expect from this song.
There is no quick way to add or take away the Echo Sub from a pair of Echo speakers that are already set up. You have to delete the stereo pair and make a new set with the two speakers and sub, which takes a minute or two. Because of this, it was hard to compare how the system sounded with and without the sub.
Amazon Echo Sub review: Sound quality
Based on what we’ve seen and heard about the Amazon Echo subwoofer, It’s a great buy and worth the money. The price is fair, and both the sound and the way it works are above average. The ability to connect two Amazon Echos to the speaker is a cool feature that gives users full control over how the subwoofer sounds.
Amazon Echo Sub review: Price
At only $130, the Amazon Echo Sub is very cheap. There are a lot of other 100W subs in that price range, but we couldn’t find any that worked with Amazon’s Echo devices. We looked for other options that work with an Amazon Echo smart hub speaker, but we couldn’t find anything even close to this price range. At the moment, it looks like your only choice is the Echo Sub.
Final Words
This is the great upgrade to make if you currently possess an Echo device and want to give it a little more heft in the low end of the spectrum. We are convinced that the Echo Sub will prove to be a valuable complement to your existing Amazon audio setup, despite the fact that it does have some flaws.
Amazon Echo Sub Ratings
THE GOOD AND THE BAD
The Good
- Bass response was improved.
- Easy setup
- Stereo pairing
- Voice control
The Bad
- Only works with certain Echo devices.
- Compared to other Bluetooth speakers, it’s pricey.
- Some people might not notice a big difference in sound quality.
FAQS
Can you use Echo Sub on its own?
The Echo Sub can’t work on its own because it doesn’t have any wired inputs. To work at all, it needs to be paired with an Echo, Echo Dot, or Echo Plus (or two in a stereo pair). Through the Alexa app, it’s easy and clear how to pair them.
Does Echo Sub only work with music?
If you have two of the same thing, you can use them together with the Echo Sub as a stereo pair. You can also use the Sub with the Echo Show (1st or 2nd generation), but only for music. Videos and movies won’t work.
Why won t my Echo Sub work?
Start up your Echo Sub to fix most problems with sub pairs. Unplug your Echo Sub and then plug it back in to start it up again. Make sure Echo Sub and a supported Echo device are paired in the Alexa app. Make sure you are using the power adapter that came with it.