The new echo of Amazon compared to Google Home Mini: who sounds better?

Amazon introduced a burst of new Alexa gadgets at a lightning event in Seattle last month. Key among them, a brand new version of Amazon's bestseller Alexa, the point of echo at $ 50.

Like previous versions, Echo Dot, third generation, is a smart speaker puppish the size of a pint, designed to be connected to other larger audio configurations via Bluetooth to help of an auxiliary cable. But the new Echo Dot is also much larger than before – and Amazon says that's because it has enhanced the sound quality of the speaker inside.

This move is probably meant to counter Google, which has boosted the Echo Dot when it comes to sound quality when it came out just as cheap. Google Home Mini. With a new Dot echo, to the sound of better quality, which still costs $ 50, Alexa is now in a better position to stay competitive with the Google assistant, the insurgent.

So how's the new Dot sound? I'm so glad you asked.

Point against point

Let's start by starting: watch the video above to hear for yourself how the new Dot rings against the old. Come on, I'll wait.

The difference is clear: the new third-generation echo, Echo Dot, is simply a more powerful speaker than before. For my tastes, it offers enough punch for casual listening in your kitchen or at your bedside – and if you need more, you can always plug it into a larger audio setup as you used to.

No surprise, the sound quality is really the only thing new to the Dot this year, apart from the new fabric design. But that brings us to the real question:

Does the new item ring better than the Google Home Mini?

Google Home Mini offered a slightly more powerful sound than the Dot in its debut. With a better sound of the new Dot, third generation, has Amazon caught up?

I would say yes, both are at least on an equal footing when it comes to sound strength. Dot boosted bass gives it even a slight advantage. But if the new Dot sounds better than the Home Mini, it's really to the listener. Some of us have preferred the Dot, which sounds louder, while others thought the Home Mini offered slightly better clarity.

Here's another sound test with the new Echo Dot and the Google Home Mini – "A change is about to happen", performed by the Louisville cellist @bensollee. Just a cello and a tenor voice, with both speakers set to maximum volume. What is you best at? pic.twitter.com/dQKKLq1Olt

– Ry Crist (@rycrist) October 5, 2018

For what it's worth, I switched to Twitter with some videos comparing the sound of the two speakers and questioned my followers about what they preferred in each case. The new point was the favorite, winning about 80% of the votes on each test. Count me in this majority – if I had to choose one to listen to my favorite reading list, it would be the new Dot. Again, if you ever blindfolded me and asked me to tell you which speaker I was listening to, I'm not sure I could say it. Both are pretty close.

And "close" probably suits Amazon. People are buying smart speakers for the first time for the first time, and for many, the choice is Dot or Home Mini. So far, the case of Google was very solid: the Home Mini offered a better sound, which might have been enough alone to move the needle to some buyers.

The new point puts an end to this advantage and puts the ball back into the Google camp (have I already mentioned that Hardware event from autumn to Google is next week? Busy time in these areas, I tell you.)

Speaking of which, we are always testing the new Echo Dot at CNET Smart Home – stay tuned for a full review in the coming days.