As for bass, the Echo Studio reproduces our bass test track, The Knife’s “Silent
Shout,” with appreciable low-end power. It doesn’t shake the walls, but it did
vibrate the table the speaker was sitting on, and at maximum volume levels, it
didn’t distort. The Studio doesn’t reach quite into sub-bass levels, but you can
pair it with an Echo Sub to add full subwoofer power to the mix (and, since deep
bass isn’t directional at all, it doesn’t need to be integrated into the Studio’s
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CONCLUSIONS
The Amazon Echo Studio is an incredible speaker for its size and price. It looks
like Amazon’s take on the Apple HomePod, but with its $200 price and ability
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HomePod in nearly every way. While testing the speaker, I repeatedly had to
check its price tag, because it feels and sounds like it’s aiming much higher.
The Echo Studio isn’t a magic surround-sound speaker that will make you think
instruments and singers are all around you, but it does give a much better sense
of stereo and vertical imaging than other speakers its size, while far eclipsing
other speakers its price in performance. You really need Amazon Music HD to
get the most out of it, and you’re limited to a fairly small collection of Ultra HD
tracks if you really want that 3D sound, but even as a Bluetooth speaker
upmixing from stereo, it produces a powerful, clear sound.
If you want portability, the $399 Sonos Move is a similarly sized smart speaker
you can drag to the beach, and if you want a bit more stereo power in a much
more retro design, the $399.99 Marshall Stanmore II Voice is another excellent
(but not portable) option. But again, these speakers cost twice as much as the
Echo Studio. If you don’t mind a lack of portability and just want surprising
power for a very reasonable price, the Studio is the best smart speaker out there
and is our Editors’ Choice.
WILL GREENWALD
PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION (^) I SUBSCRIBE (^) I DECEMBER 2019