Amazon is reportedly developing a high-end Echo with a focus on sound quality

[Shawn Knight]

In brief: Amazon is reportedly working on a higher-end version of its Echo smart home speaker that would allow the company to better compete with similar products focusing on audio quality like Apple’s HomePod and speakers from Sonos.

Sources familiar with the matter tell Bloomberg that prototypes of the speaker are wider than current Echo models in order to accommodate additional components including at least four tweeters. It is being developed by Amazon Lab126, the e-commerce giant’s research and development arm.

Amazon’s Echo first went on sale in 2015 and has been a market leader ever since. According to eMarketer, the device will capture 63 percent of the US smart speaker market this year. Apple’s HomePod hasn’t sold as well as Cupertino had hoped, recently prompting the company to lower its price. Google has done quite well for itself with a market share of 31 percent.

Amazon is also reportedly planning a high-fidelity version of its music streaming service, says Music Business Worldwide. The new tier would “mesh better with the new Echo,” we’re told, and could help Amazon target yet another demographic that the competition isn’t focusing on – audiophiles.

Amazon’s Echo range is expected to receive minor updates this fall although it’s unclear when the premium speaker would be announced. Plans for the higher-end Echo haven’t been finalized and could still fall through, Bloomberg cautions. An Amazon spokesperson declined to comment on the matter.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/80926-amazon-reportedly-developing-high-end-echo-focus-sound.html

 

[vayeate]

The sound quality of the mic is very important.

 

[wiyosaya]

The sound quality of the mic is very important.

In fact, its the most important thing. Otherwise, crApazon would not be able to spy on every user that has one.

 

[captaincranky]

Maybe they could put a jack on it, so you could possibly plug a shotgun mic into it. With bed springs squeaking, and heavy breathing, various liquid sounds,, along with nonsensical pillow talk, what could be more fun than having Alexa play it back, over morning coffee with a hangover? She could remind hubby, "you forgot to leave a fifty on the pillow".

 

[3volv3d]

What I would like to see is more Ram in their tablets. This is the issue with their stuff, they want to suck the market in with cheap affordable products, but they skimp on the goods inside which make them kinda crap.

I don't want to pay more to a company that has an abundant flow of cash, but I do want to see more bang for my buck. Not crap I wanna chuck.

 

[loki1944]

NSA complained about the sound quality apparently.