Amazon unveils Echo Dot Max and Echo Studio with brand-new A3Z (Pro) processor and sound upgrades
Amazon has finally unveiled the successor to the Echo Dot from 2022, giving the spherical speaker a revamped design with three buttons on the front that allow users to disable the microphones and control the volume. The LED ring around these buttons provides visual feedback when the voice assistant is in use.
Although the new model is more expensive than its predecessor, it is also said to offer significantly better sound quality, with Amazon specifically mentioning three times more powerful bass. Anyone who takes out a paid Amazon Alexa Plus subscription can use the improved Alexa AI voice assistant via the Echo Dot Max, which can hold more natural conversations and control multiple smart home devices at the same time.
After six years, the Echo Studio is also getting a successor, with the new model simply looking like a larger version of the Echo Dot Max. According to Amazon, the new Echo Studio delivers the best sound of any Echo speaker to date, combining three full-range drivers with a woofer specifically developed for the Echo Studio. The speaker supports surround sound via Dolby Atmos. Amazon incorporates a brand-new A3Z Pro AI accelerator, which the company developed in-house. This chip is designed to recognize Alexa voice commands more reliably and process them faster.
Price and availability
The Amazon Echo Dot Max will soon be available for pre-order directly from Amazon for $99.99, while the Echo Studio will be available for pre-order for $219.99. Both speakers are expected to begin shipping on October 29.
