Amazon's 2022 Echo devices are mostly worthy upgrades: Echo Dot, Plus, Show and Sub

While Amazon announced a flurry of new products a few weeks ago during a keynote at the company's Seattle, Washington caput office, in typical fashion, only select devices are making their way to the Canadian market.

Start and most importantly, the eastward-commerce giant is finally bringing the Echo Show to Canada. The 2nd-generation Echo show is a pregnant stride above its predecessor thanks to its sizeable 10-inch brandish and surprisingly impressive sound quality.

Amazon too launched the third-generation version of its tiny Echo Dot, along with a fabric-covered 2nd-generation iteration of the Repeat Plus, the visitor's highest-stop smart speaker.

Finally, there's Amazon's Echo Sub, the company'southward new connected subwoofer. The device is capable of adding significant bass to an Echo-powered speaker setup.

Below is a quick look at each of Amazon'southward new Repeat devices.

Echo Dot 3rd-generation

3rd Gen Echo Dot

The latest iteration of the Echo Dot is by far the best version of Amazon's pint-sized smart speaker, though information technology still lacks iii.5mm sound input. However, Bluetooth connectivity with external devices is still possible.

The tiny smart speaker's audio quality is substantially improved over the 2nd-generation version of the device, as well as a cut higher up the by and large horrible sounding Google Domicile Mini. That said, the new Dot only features a single ane.half-dozen-inch 360-firing speaker. The improvement this twelvemonth is the 360 audio, which results in fuller sound that'due south surprisingly capable of filling a room despite the Dot's pocket-size size.

Further, the new Dot responds to voice commands more consistently when compared to earlier versions of the smart speaker thanks to its more than sensitive array of iv far-field microphones. The Dot has likewise been revamped on the outside, thanks to a cloth cover that moves its design more in-line with Amazon's second Gen Echo.

Notwithstanding, if you're the type of person who cares about sound quality, the Echo Dot isn't the smart speaker for yous. The new Echo Dot is available in 'Charcoal,' 'Heather Gray' and 'Sandstone' for $69 CAD.

Echo Plus 2nd-generation

Echo Plus 2nd Generation

The new Echo Plus features a friendlier, fabric wrapped design when compared to its 1st-generation analogue. The latest version of the speaker withal features Zigbee abode automation hub integration, though a new built-in temperature sensor has been added to the device that could exist useful if you have a smart thermostat.

Concerning audio quality, the new Echo Plus nevertheless features omnidirectional Dolby Audio and a 0.8-inch tweeter, coupled with a slightly larger iii-inch subwoofer. The speaker features noticeably more than bass when compared to its predecessor, but lacks the high-stop fidelity of other smart speakers similar Apple's HomePod or the Sonos One. In general, there's a rather substantial gap between the way the Echo Plus outputs high and low frequencies.

The Repeat Plus once once again features a iii.5mm headphone jack, allowing information technology to exist continued to external speakers or a pair of headphones. The Plus is too now capable of being paired with an additional Plus speaker for stereo sound. This feature besides works with the Echo Dot and 2nd-generation Repeat.

The new Echo Plus is available in 'Charcoal,' 'Heather Grey,' and 'Sandstone' for $199 with a costless Philips Hue light bulb.

Echo Sub

Given Amazon'south habit of not bringing products to the United States at the same time as Canada, it's interesting the company has opted to release the Echo Sub in the Canadian market.

The Sub'due south bass is deep, powerful and, at times, overwhelming depending on the genre of music y'all're listening to. Spec wise, the Sub is down-firing and features a 100-watt amplifier pushing a 6-inch woofer.

The Repeat Sub can be connected to a pair of two Repeat speakers that are the aforementioned, for example, the Echo Dot or the 2d-generation Echo, or with a wide range of Echo devices following the initial pairing. For instance, I connected the Sub with the Echo Plus, so set upward multi-room sound with the Sub and Plus couple, selected along with the Prove, Dot and 2nd-gen Echo. This drove of speakers resulted in the most impressive room-filling audio I've ever encountered.

Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a style to control the Sub's volume or intensity, which is a strange design conclusion on Amazon'south part. The Echo Sub also lacks a standard 3.5mm input plug.

The Echo Sub is priced at $169 and is set to release on November 19th.

Echo Bear witness 2nd Gen

Echo Show

I can't help but feel that Amazon Echo devices that feature a display, specially the Show, are not as useful in Canada as they are in the United States.

Like to the alarm clock-similar Echo Spot, there are very few Canadian video Skills worth checking out, with CBC News and CTV News beingness the only two standouts. Farther, while it's bang-up to have relatively piece of cake access to YouTube unlike previous versions of the Show, the device's version of Firefox is limited, mainly when using it to picket content on Google's video-sharing service.

The device too doesn't officially support Netflix, though it is possible to admission a web version of the platform through the Echo Testify's built-in web browser.

Even trying to watch Amazon Prime Video content on the Echo Bear witness is a frustrating experience. For instance, I couldn't find a way to watch the 4th flavour of Man in the High Castle, with the device launching the final episode I watched of the TV show regardless of how specific my phonation request was.

Echo Show rear

On the plus side, the ability to command connected lights via the Echo Show's touchscreen is a welcome improver, as is the complete redesign of its artful. The new Testify looks less like an ageing device yous'd notice in a doctors role and now feels more than in-line with other smart home devices cheers to its fabric covered rear and sizable display. Regarding specs, the Show features a ten-inch touchscreen that measures in at 1,280 x 800 pixels. The device likewise includes Zigbee smart home hub integration, just like the Repeat Plus.

In general, the Echo Show outputs nifty sound that tends to be heavy on the bass, though this can be easily shifted through the device'southward congenital-in equalizer. Finally, the Echo Show too features a 5-megapixel camera that supports Hard disk drive video calling, though this isn't a feature I have spent pregnant time testing.

Given that the Echo Bear witness includes a display, it would, in theory, brand sense for Amazon to let the user to interact with the touchscreen more than frequently, though that, unfortunately, isn't the instance. The Echo Show is controlled primarily through the aforementioned voice commands that piece of work with other Echo devices.

With the Canadian release of Google'due south likely more capable Abode Hub still looming on the horizon, the Echo testify remains a tough sell. The Repeat Show with a free Philips Hue light bulb is priced at $299.99 in 'Charcoal' and 'Standstone,' and is set to ship on November 8th.