Amazon Echo

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Reply # 1812477 4-Jul-2017 11:51

Just read that the big echo can now pass audio out to bluetooth speakers, which will give it better quality than inbuilt at least. Can't find any details on codec support for the echo devices and the dot doesnt seem to sound very good when going to my apt-x capable reciever. But this is a welcome change.

Really wish they all had outputs on them. The tap has an input of all things, not sure why you would want to put sound into something that bad. Now if only they'd put optical on the dot it would be much better.

Richard rich.ms

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Reply # 1812481 4-Jul-2017 11:58

Has anyone used the hue emulation binding on OH2 yet? I've tested it and think its fairly average. Likewise with the Openhab skill in Alexa, I don't want to have to ask Openhab to do something, I just want to ask to turn lights on/off etc.

Does bwssystems HA bridge still work with OH2? I assume it does (that's what I was running with OH1.x, it its pretty damn good) so might stick with that for now.

kryptonjohn

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Reply # 1812482 4-Jul-2017 11:59

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But... if you have some nice BT speakers why would you buy the big echo when the dot is cheaper?

richms

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Reply # 1812485 4-Jul-2017 12:03

kryptonjohn:

But... if you have some nice BT speakers why would you buy the big echo when the dot is cheaper?

Because you already have it? Because its better for voice feedback or low volume music playback than the dot?

Richard rich.ms

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Reply # 1812488 4-Jul-2017 12:08

Well, not quite what I asked... Why would you *buy* one assumed you don't already have one. So they made a marketing decision to go one way and now changed they mind by the look of it.

reven

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Reply # 1812518 4-Jul-2017 13:02

personally i have the amazon tap, amazone echos, and echo dots. the tap is pretty cool, but microphones arent as good and not all functionality. the echos are very good, i think the music the produce is good, but clearly not loud enough for an entire house party. the echo dots are really good, i have some logitech speakers plugged into one in the office, and theyre nice and cheap.

waiting on the sonos integration some time this year, see how well that works.

rb99

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Reply # 1817178 9-Jul-2017 12:02

Am not sure if this is the right thread, or should start another one - refurb Amazon Echo's are $90US at the mo, which is about $128NZ, but would need to add Youshop postage to that.

Seeing as I'm only really after a bluetooth speaker to hopefully use with a phone and Emby, is it worth it ? Would it be better to just get a locally available bluetooth speaker and if so any recommendations value for money wise ? Am cheap so would prefer to spend less than 100 bucks.

rb99

richms

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Reply # 1817195 9-Jul-2017 12:26

If you just want a bluetooth speaker there are vastly better options than the echo. You buy it for the smarts, not because it sounds good, because it doesnt.

Richard rich.ms

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Reply # 1817200 9-Jul-2017 12:50

Fair enough - any preferences for us cheapies in the 'wow that's good for $100' category ?

....or is it new thread time ?

rb99

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Reply # 1817216 9-Jul-2017 13:19

That echo price is exceptional, if I didn't already have bluetooth speakers for my living room dot I'd get one. In my experience, refurb items are more or less indistinguishable from new, come in new packaging etc.

Re-furb UE Boom on amazon for $79, UE Wonderboom $79. To get better sound I think you have to pay $140 or more (all US$ plus shipping)

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Reply # 1817219 9-Jul-2017 13:28

refurbs are the result of all those people that buy things and are then too thick to work them so return them. So thankyou stupid people ;) I have my eyes on another couple of echo dots for other stereos in the house. Really wish they had optical out on them.

Brands on lo-fi speakers mean nothing. You can get equal sound out of a cheapie as one of those booms etc for considerably less money. But that really is another thread issue.

Richard rich.ms

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Reply # 1817242 9-Jul-2017 13:44

Those UE models look good, thanks (and refurb sounds painless). Was also thinking maybe JBL Flip 3 locally. Am not exactly a hifi connoisseur but they seem to get pretty decent reviews.

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Reply # 1819677 11-Jul-2017 17:02

Lots of deals on Amazon Prime day - new Amazon Echo (not refurb) US$89.

I just picked up another Echo Dot bundled with a little Sony XB10 BT speaker for US$58.

rb99

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Reply # 1819693 11-Jul-2017 17:10

....and I thought, Oh bugger it, and got a refurb one like 2 days ago. Oh well, the guarantee seems to be the same...

rb99

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Reply # 1819694 11-Jul-2017 17:11

There's effectively no difference between refurb and new - you'll see what I mean when you get it.

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