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dpinskey
Avid Contributor III
February 19, 2019

Amazon Now Making Higher End Fully Functional Alexa Integrated, High Performance Speakers and Subs

  • February 19, 2019
  • 13 replies
  • 580 views
Need assurance that my investment in SONOS as a high quality/high output smart "Alexa capable" system was not a waste and that all of the components I've thus far purchased was not a waste of A LOT of money. Since SONOS appears NOT to be able or CANNOT offer fully functional Alexa integration due to whatever licensing agreements or other decisions that were made that resulted in a lesser functioning Alexa system than its Amazon cousin; why should I continue to invest in what are very impressive speakers - and for now the superior speakers over Amazon speakers? With it looking like Amazon is stepping up its game in offering a larger selection of high quality/high output speakers- that are not limited by a partially functional Alexa AI system - why shouldn't I unload the SONOS gear I've purchased and start investing in what looks to be like an up-and-coming powerhouse of Amazon speakers?
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    nwgiles
    Trending Lyricist II
    February 21, 2019
    Another point to consider, if you lose your internet connection, the sonos will happily play local music, the echo devices don't function without a connection home
    gtg465x
    Lyricist I
    February 22, 2019
    At least with Sonos, you always have the option of pairing them to an Echo Dot if you want the latest Alexa features or aren’t satisfied with the Sonos microphones. I just bought my first Sonos products, a stereo pair of Sonos Ones, and I honestly didn’t even bother trying the built in Alexa because I read so many complaints about less sensitive microphones and missing features. I just bought a $30 Echo Dot 3rd gen, set the Sonos pair as the default speakers for music, and problem solved. It works flawlessly. Before you say I should have gotten Play:1s... I should mention that AirPlay 2 support was very important to me, and I also prefer the all white look of the Sonos One. Those two points alone were worth the extra $40 to me, and plus the Alexa (or future Google Assistant) integration might improve to the point where I can repurpose the Echo Dot to another room down the road. It does boggle my mind a little that the Sonos Ones apparently have 7 mics and everyone says they still stink at picking up your voice compared to an Echo Dot with 4 mics, but oh well. I wonder if Amazon just has superior software algorithms to pick out voices that they’re unwilling to share.
    Smilja
    Smilja
    February 22, 2019
    [...] I wonder if Amazon just has superior software algorithms to pick out voices that they’re unwilling to share.
    Superior software algorithms? Nah. Unlike my four Sonos ONEs, the Amazon Echo is deaf as an adder when music is playing.
    »And the world is like an apple whirling silently in space, Like the circles that you find in the windmills of your mind.« (›Windmills Of Your Mind‹ [1967]. Music by Michel Legrand ; English lyrics written by Alan & Marilyn Bergman)
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