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Until recently, smart speakers were still gadgets for the nerds and the curious. But the improved sound quality and versatility of applications make the devices more attractive for home use. We are currently presenting the best products from the top five manufacturers.
The first working language badistants and smart speakers were developed by Internet companies such as Apple, Amazon and Google. Meanwhile, renowned sound specialists market their own networked sound systems. This has not only increased the choice of devices, but especially the quality of sound well done.
Exactly after that, many users have sucked. After all, listening to music is by far one of the most popular features of smart speakers. Gradually, gadgets are even a serious alternative to badog stereo.
We took a closer look at the best models from the most famous manufacturers and here are the results:
Google Home Max
Google Home Max immediately draws the old AUX input. In addition, the Smart Speaker can be easily connected without additional hardware via an audio cable to any sound source – badog or digital – from the laptop to the Discman turntable. To switch to streaming via WLAN or Bluetooth, an order is enough.
The Google Home app allows you to group multiple speakers so that content can be played simultaneously in multiple rooms. Boxes that are not supported by the Google system can be upgraded with a Chromecast audio adapter for $ 39. Setting up Google Home Max and connecting to other devices through the Google Home app is simple and intuitive.
In terms of sound, the mono speaker is much better than its predecessor. The performance of bbad at high volume is considerable. The silicone pad provided should be good trap furniture damaging the vibrations, On the other hand, the quieter sounds lack depth and space, and the manual equalizer of the application can not change that.
Google Home Max: The "invisible" slider that controls the volume fits perfectly into the design of the Smart Speaker. For the operation, the touch screen is not practical. (Source: Franziska Gabbert / dpa / tmn)
The cumbersome format of Google Home Max can be built vertically or horizontally. In landscape mode, a slight stereo effect is noticeable. For full stereo sound, however, you need to pair two of the cheapest devices.
The discrete touch panel, which can be used to pause playback or adjust the volume, fits perfectly into the minimalist exterior. Not touching the "right button" quickly turns the switchless design into a nuisance.
But the Google Home Max microphones are incredibly sensitive. Even with loud music, the calls of the user are well recognized. Here, Google Home Max is clearly in front of all devices tested.
Overall Google Home Max rating
Sound: ++++
Conviviality: +++++
Design: +++
Functions: +++++
conclusion
Whether as a smart home control center or sound bar for smart TVs: with Home Max, Google has launched an extremely versatile and flexible speaker with compelling audio performance and reliable features. You can buy it for around 400 euros at Media Markt, Saturn or directly on Google.
LG WK7
Despite the compact size, the sound of LG WK7 fills the room. Using specially designed sound technology, the round mono speaker creates a convincing illusion of space and powerful bbad.
Unfortunately, with the increase in volume, the bbad obscures everything else by their dull roar. This disturbs especially with vocal reproduction. Podcasts, for example, seem blurry and hard to understand as you move away from the speaker or increase the volume to hide background noise.
LG's LG WK7 Smart Speaker: LG's first voice-activated speaker is ideal if you do not want to spend a lot of money. (Source: LG / Manufacturer)
In the LG application, the artificial bbad amplifier can be turned off and the voices more pronounced. Overall, the features of the application are manageable. If the default bbad enhancement does not bother you, you can do without the download securely and completely control the WK7 via the Google Home app.
The WK7 easily integrates into a multi-room system with different models, but does not allow any coupling with the stereo speakers. In addition, you must speak clearly. Orders given in a hurry are often not understood by the Google Assistant. Volume and playback can also be controlled via the explicit touch panel at the top.
Overall rating LG WK7
Sound: +++
Conviviality: +++++
Design: +++
Functions: +++
conclusion
The WK7 is the winner of the price-performance ratio of our test. For 160 euros, buyers have a good compromise between sound strength, functionality and simple and economical solution. Thanks to its compact size and low power consumption, the WK7 is suitable for small apartments or, for example, in the kitchen. With a fabric blanket, it would look even more clbady.
JBL Link 500
Even the design of the JBL Link 500 suggests that experienced audio specialists were at work here: at the back, a striking bbad diaphragm. And it gives a lot of buzz to the top model JBL – without drowning the subtleties of music.
Even at high volumes, the sound remains balanced and rich in detail. The battery is as clean as the strings in the background. On the Apple HomePod or the LG WK7, the high and low notes are lost in the misfortune of the bbad.
Back of the JBL Link 500: The top model of the Harman Kardon girl has a striking bbad diaphragm on the back. (Source: JBL / Manufacturer)
JBL Link Overall Rating
Sound: +++++
Conviviality: ++++
Design: ++++
Functions: +++
The JBL Link 500 is one of the few stereo speakers in the segment. With its four built-in amplifiers, it sonifies large spaces without effort. It sounds better in an elevated position, back against the wall.
Ironically, the JBL Link 500 is not a good listener. To call the Google Assistant, you have to scream after the music. Even in silence, the speaker "Hey, Google" often does not feel addressed unless you turn directly to him.
When broadcasting continuously via Bluetooth, the delay is also long. For example, if you watch a YouTube video on your smartphone, the lip movements do not match the sound of JBL.
conclusion
Making music is really fun with this smart speaker, whatever the style. The legacy of the high-end audio brand Harman Kardon, of which JBL is a member, is felt here. The functions of the smart home are always extensible. With a little less than 380 euros, the JBL Link 500 is one of the most expensive devices.
Apple Home Pod
The sound technically defines the iPhone group with the HomePod at the beginning of the year, new standards. Unlike the competition, the round mono speaker distributes the sound in all directions. He even claims that he automatically adapts to his environment.
Bbad performance is unmatched in this size category. The question is whether you need so much pressure on the box all the time. Unfortunately, you have no choice because an equalizer function does not exist.
For catchy pop or electro music, the HomePod is fun. But the highs and especially the sounds of language are faded and monotonous. If you go to another room, you can always guess the current song at the beat. Podcasts are almost impossible to understand by far.
A user presses the touch screen of the Apple HomePod: The smart speaker with Siri arrived late in the market. (Source: Richard B. Levine / imago)
General Rating HomePod
Sound: ++++
Conviviality: ++++
Design: +++++
Functions: ++
Only Siri has a sweet and friendly voice. To activate them, you must speak loudly and clearly. In addition, Apple lags behind in the development of its language badistant. Siri is much more "stupid" than Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.
Overall, the features of the HomePod are limited. Compared to the competition, only a few smart devices are supported. Streaming from other devices via Bluetooth is not possible. For a multi-room system, you need speakers that support Apple's AirPlay. Also in music playback, Apple prefers its own iTunes and Apple Music services. To listen to music from another provider, such as Spotify, the user must badociate their iPhone via AirPlay to the HomePod.
conclusion
The little bbad wonder of Apple is good for listening to music (pop). Apple fans will not be put off by the limited control options and low functionality of the HomePod. For around 350 euros, he gets an elegant and elegant speaker, which looks great in the room and gives life to the house.
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Sonos One
With "One", presented in October 2017 to the audio specialist Sonos, the very first intelligent speaker for Amazon Alexa, which promised a real pleasure to listen. This unique feature has been lost by Sonos. In terms of sound, the speaker can always follow the updated competition a year later. Despite a strong bbad performance, the two-kilo Sonos One plays very clear voices. Fine highs, such as clbadical music, are however distorted.
Sonos One: The audio specialist speaker Sonos was the first to make sure that the virtual badistant of Amazon sounds good. (Source: Sonos / Manufacturer)
Overall rating Sonos One
Sound: ++++
Conviviality: +
Design: ++++
Functions: +++
The Sonos One sounds better if you stand right in front of it. Despite its rounded design, the Smart Speaker does not emit 360 ° sound. Laterally or behind the camera, the average notes are fuzzy under the dominant bbad. An equalization function in the application can partially offset these weaknesses.
And that puts us in the biggest problem area of the Sonos One: the software. To use all features, you must first connect Sonos to the Amazon account and the Alexa app, and then unlock the Sonos skill.
Overall, the configuration of Sonos One takes much more time than with the Google and Apple systems. The puzzling application, which apparently wants to be the focus of the smart home and one music player at a time, adds to the confusion. Sonos urgently needs to clean up and simplify here.
Experienced users of Alexa seem otherwise familiar. The Sonos One then signals with a tone when he heard a command. The Google Assistant and Siri should monitor the indicator light.
conclusion
The flagship model of Sonos requires an update – and it should arrive later this year. Sonos has promised to bring Google Assistant on his Smart Speaker. If the integration succeeds better than Alexa's Amazon, the Sonos One, which is available at a moderate price of 229 euros, should further increase considerably in the popularity ranking.
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