Set up the powerful bass smart speaker 'Amazon Echo Dot Max' and the Dolby Atomos-compatible 'Amazon Echo Studio' to check the sound quality
Amazon has announced a revamped lineup for its Amazon Echo smart speaker series, releasing the Echo Dot Max and Echo Studio on October 29, 2025. The Echo Dot Max features a 0.8-inch tweeter and two 2.5-inch woofers, delivering approximately three times the bass, while the Amazon Echo Studio features one 3.75-inch tweeter and three 1.5-inch full-range drivers, supporting spatial audio technology and Dolby Atmos. We took a look at the sound quality for ourselves.
Amazon | Echo Studio (Echo Studio) Launching in 2025 - Immersive Spatial Audio, Dolby Atmos, Built-in Smart Home Hub
Check out the appearance and contents of the Echo Dot Max and Echo Studio in the article below.
Photo review of Amazon's fully remodeled smart speakers 'Echo Dot Max' and 'Echo Studio' - GIGAZINE
First, set it up. When you plug in the power cable, the Echo Dot Max will power on and the orange light will turn on. At the same time, you'll hear a voice announcement saying, 'Please set it up in the Alexa app.'
Setup is done through the 'Amazon Alexa' app, which is available for both iOS and Android.
Amazon Alexa App - App Store
https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/amazon-alexa/id944011620
Amazon Alexa - Apps on Google Play
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.amazon.dee.app&hl=ja
This time, I set it up for iOS. After logging in with my Amazon account, I tapped the '+' icon in the upper right corner.
Select Devices.
Select 'Amazon Echo.'
Tap 'Yes'.
Echo Dot Max will appear under 'Discovered Devices,' so tap it.
The Wi-Fi network connection settings are automatically transferred to the device.
Once your device is connected to Wi-Fi, tap 'Next.'
The first time you start the device, a firmware update will be performed. Tap 'Next.'
Set the location where you want to place the device. This time, I selected 'First floor' and tapped 'Next.'
Tap 'Next'.
Tap 'Done' and your device will be ready to use once the update is complete.
After the update was complete, the device appeared in the Alexa app.
If the registration is successful, the ring light on the device will glow blue. The setup process for the Echo Studio is the same as for the Echo Dot Max.
Music can be played via Bluetooth or by casting from the app. For example, while playing music in the Amazon Music app, tap the cast icon.
When selecting a device, select Echo Dot Max.
The Echo Dot Max will then play the music you selected. You can skip back and forth between songs using the app or voice commands.
Both the Echo Dot Max and Echo Studio have physical buttons. You can adjust the volume by clicking these buttons. The center button is also a physical button to turn the microphone on and off.
I played music from the Amazon Music app to check the sound quality of the Echo Dot Max and Echo Studio.
The first song I listened to was 'The Witch From Mercury,' the theme song for the anime
The Witch From Mercury - YouTube
The Echo Dot Max is said to have enhanced bass, and the opening orchestral hits and the brass instruments' low-pitched sounds are clearly noticeable. However, the bass sounds a little muffled. The midrange is stronger than the bass, and the highs and lows don't seem to cut through as much, resulting in a flat, slightly muffled sound. However, the resonance is solid, with the bass in particular having a solid weight. It sounds equally good from any direction and distance, making it a sufficient speaker for placing in a room.
When I listened to the Echo Studio afterwards, the sound quality was clearly clearer. Of course, the deep bass resonated well, to the point where it vibrated on the desk it was placed on. The balance between the vocals and accompaniment was particularly good, and it felt like the air was being reproduced.
Next up is Billie Eilish's 'bad guy' with Dolby Atomos support.
The Echo Dot Max has a clear bass and bass drum, and vocals are also clearly audible. The high frequencies are a little rounded and not too sharp, but the overall impression is flat. I also found that finger snaps were a little hard to hear because they were overwhelmed by the deep bass.
The Echo Studio is Dolby Atomos compatible, and the sound quality is as good as you'd expect. The sharp kick at the beginning and the slightly husky vocals are clearly audible, and even the sound of finger snaps is clear. The mid- and high-range frequencies are well-defined, and the bass has a powerful attack.
And then there's Kenshi Yonezu's 'IRIS OUT.'
When listening with the Echo Dot Max, the sound is powerful enough to fill the room. You can feel the bass resonating well. The mid- and high-range sounds aren't very clear, and the vocals and accompaniment seem to blend together.
What was particularly good about listening to it on the Echo Studio was the piano interlude, which sounded crystal clear. The metallic sounds in the high range were clearly audible, while the deep bass notes of the percussion and bass resonated deeply.
When comparing the two, the Echo Dot Max is fine if you're primarily looking to use it for voice control or as a smart home hub, but if you absolutely want to listen to music with great sound, my honest opinion is that the Echo Studio is the better choice. Both smart speakers resonate well throughout the room, and the Echo Dot Max offers fairly solid bass considering its size, with enough volume for listening to music. However, the Echo Studio offers clearer sound quality, better mid- and high-range clarity, and overall greater transparency. Additionally, you can set up up to five Echo Dot Max and Echo Studio units to enjoy 5.1ch surround sound with 'Alexa Home Theater,' so if you want to enjoy higher-quality surround sound, the Echo Studio is the way to go.
Echo Dot Max and Echo Studio can be purchased from Amazon.co.jp below. The price for Echo Dot Max is 14,980 yen including tax, and the price for Echo Studio is 39,980 yen including tax.
Amazon | Echo Dot Max (Echo Dot Max) Launching in 2025 - Alexa Speaker, Room-Wide Sound, Built-in Smart Home Hub
Related Posts:
