Hands and ears on new Amazon Echo Sub and stereo Echo speakers

There was a time when I spent as much as I could afford on high-end audio equipment. But that was not only before I had a family but also before technology reduced the size and — frankly — the sound quality of my audio equipment. Indeed, you can still spend thousands on a home audio system but most of us listen to music these days through smart speakers like the Amazon Echo or Google Hub or through earbuds or earphones connected to our mobile devices.

For the past several years most of my home listening has been on an Amazon Echo. I have several of the original ones scattered through my house as well as a couple of Echo Dots connected to external speakers.  The sound quality from these devices is OK, especially at low volume or when listening to news programs and podcasts where booming bass and other sound attributes don’t really matter. But there are times when I want to kick back and listen to my favorite tunes in reasonably good quality stereo with a bit of boom in the background.

Good sound for the money and size

Any evaluation of sound quality is of course subjective but I give this set-up a thumbs-up. The bass was definitely rich and full and, considering their diminutive size, the pair of Echo speakers put out good sound even at relatively high volume.  And having music in stereo does add to the enjoyment –something you don’t get from a single Echo speaker. So, between the subwoofer and pair of speakers, the listening experience is definitely better.

Pricing and specs

There is currently a special giving you two 2nd generation Echos plus the subwoofer for $249. Another option is 2 Echo plus devices plus the subwoofer for $329. I opted for the less expensive bundle. I haven’t tried the Echo Plus but — based on reviews I’ve read, it doesn’t seem to be that much better than the 2nd generation Echo. Mike of Tom’s Guide wrote. “After listening to the all-new Echo and the Echo Plus side by side, I found that they’re pretty evenly matched. The Echo Plus does a bit better in defining both high and low tones, while the Echo is better at midrange. While neither can hold a candle to the pricier Sonos One, both will suffice if you’re looking for a decent speaker for your entertainment needs.”

Here are the specs of the Echo Sub from Amazon: