Amazon Echo - 3rd Generation just as good as 4th generation? Only for AUX output.

[spacescape]

Just picked up a zenith stereo console and l am planning on hooking up an Amazon Echo to the AUX inputs. The Echo Flex looks like it may work for what I need but thinking of putting it "on top" so it can hear my commands better "if needed". I'm also seeing that the Flex is "not currently available" at Amazon so maybe they have a new model coming out? That being said the 3rd generation "DOT" appears to be slightly smaller (and compact) compared to the 4th generation so if I hide it behind the console or TV it might be best to grab a 3rd generation.

Any input?

[mikebw]

If you could find an Echo Input that would be the smallest and has the same feet on bottom design as the other dots. After that I would suggest looking for a used 2nd generation dot, and then a 3rd gen. I have no experience with a 4th gen.

[Buzz]

AFAIK, the 4th's form factor is the biggest difference from the 3rd, so your supposition sounds correct.
Good luck, and enjoy.
==

[ArtP]

When I was researching, the 3rd Generation was said to have better sound?

I have a couple of 3rd Gen Echo dots in use and it did sound a lot better than a 2nd Gen dot (I had hooked it up to a fancy iPod/iPhone clock radio via Aux so it was a non issue)

I think the Gen 3 had better sound than the 4 also? Or maybe not?]

Comparison here.

Interestingly, Amazon hasn't made a particular reinvention of the sound design behind the fabric shroud of the new Echo Dot - it's still got that 1.6-inch speaker to provide the volume. Now, going by the performance of the older Echo Dot, that's no issue - for a small speaker, the Dot line has been producing really impressive sound quality for some time, so no change isn't bad news.

That said, the increased size of the newer Dot does give you some improvement in the sound quality. There's less vibration through the body of the speaker and that means it performs better at higher volumes, better placed to fill the room with sound. It's not hugely different, but it is better.

On both models there is also a 3.5mm port in case you want to pipe audio out via cable.

[steve...]

ArtP wrote:
That said, the increased size of the newer Dot does give you some improvement in the sound quality. There's less vibration through the body of the speaker and that means it performs better at higher volumes, better placed to fill the room with sound. It's not hugely different, but it is better.

:agree:

I have 3^rd and 4^th generation dots and use the newer one for listening to streaming radio.

[spacescape]

steve... wrote:
[quote=ArtP]
That said, the increased size of the newer Dot does give you some improvement in the sound quality. There's less vibration through the body of the speaker and that means it performs better at higher volumes, better placed to fill the room with sound. It's not hugely different, but it is better.

:agree:

I have 3^rd and 4^th generation dots and use the newer one for listening to streaming radio.
But if I'm not using the speaker the 3rd will work the same?

[steve...]

spacescape wrote:
[quote=steve...]
[quote=ArtP]
That said, the increased size of the newer Dot does give you some improvement in the sound quality. There's less vibration through the body of the speaker and that means it performs better at higher volumes, better placed to fill the room with sound. It's not hugely different, but it is better.

:agree:

I have 3^rd and 4^th generation dots and use the newer one for listening to streaming radio.
But if I'm not using the speaker the 3rd will work the same?
I have a Flex also and they all seem to take instructions well.

[mikebw]

steve... wrote:
[quote=spacescape]
[quote=steve...]
[quote=ArtP]
That said, the increased size of the newer Dot does give you some improvement in the sound quality. There's less vibration through the body of the speaker and that means it performs better at higher volumes, better placed to fill the room with sound. It's not hugely different, but it is better.

:agree:

I have 3^rd and 4^th generation dots and use the newer one for listening to streaming radio.
But if I'm not using the speaker the 3rd will work the same?
I have a Flex also and they all seem to take instructions well.
I have a Flex, and it is the most unruly of the bunch, but that could be due to placement. It is also ugly as sin compared to all the other ones, even the 2nd gen. Would not recommend.

[Ombligo]

I put my rd gen in the drawer after getting a flex, much happier with it.