What is the Amazon Echo Plus 2 voice assistant worth? 2020 Complet Review

“An intelligent speaker that will accompany you in daily tasks!” -AB SMART HEALTH Amazon Echo Plus 2 review

Welcome to our notice and Review devoted to voice assistant Amazon Echo Plus 2. Marketed since 2018, this model is a improved version of the second generation Amazon Echo. It exists under different colours, in black, in White and in Grey (model that we tested). Sold from 149 dollars, Amazon Echo Plus 2 voice assistant combines several developments in terms of design, of speech Recognition and features. Check out our review of the Amazon Echo Plus 2 below.

 Review | Amazon Echo Plus, a sober design

The Amazon Echo Plus 2 looks like its earlier version in its format. The diameter of the voice assistant is larger at 9.9cm. The height is similar with its 14.8cm. The rounded edges give it a good integration in modern living spaces. This voice assistant is surrounded by a fabric covering with a choice of 3 colors (black, gray or white).

On the the top part, we find a matte black plastic surface including 7 small holes ((7 built-in microphones) and 4 non-touch buttons features:

• Activation of the voice assistant without saying your name. It also allows you to pause the reading of an answer to a question asked.

• The increased sound volume,

• The decrease in volume,

• Mute the microphone and Alexa voice assistant.

The advantage of this coating is that it does not leave not show fingerprints. It should also be noted that the buttons have a led to bring a visual information, in colour. All around, Amazon highlights its voice assistant with a LED light ring. Above all, it’s a indicator which transmits visual information on several elements:

• With a white beam, the user can view volume sound (the higher the volume, the more the light beams cover the entire circle).

• With a Red light, the user is informed that the microphone is muted.

• The blue light means that the microphone of thevoice assistant is activated and he’s ready to listen to you.

• The Orange color is reserved for system configurations.

About the lower part of the Amazon Echo Plus 2, the user finds a rubber support simple who adheres well to surfaces. It allowsprevent the device from falling if the user bumps lightly on the furniture.

At level of connectivity, the Amazon Echo Plus 2 offers 2 sockets, the standard power outlet and an 3.5mm mini jack. The latter allows listening by default on another speaker. In Alexa app, it is possible to configure the mini-jack to play music from an external source ((like an enclosure). This is a great innovation from Amazon. This model also allows you to connect via Bluetooth by broadcasting sound from an external source.

Finally, this device incorporates a Zigbee Hub which allows detect and of set up quickly different elements of the smart health connected house ((bulbs, sockets, thermostats… etc).

A speech Recognition qualitative

The 7 built-in microphones combined with surrounding noise reduction technology, allow a good voice capture. We have done different tests at several meters distance. Without music on the Echo Plus 2, without raising my voice and with little outside noise, the voice assistant reacts up to 6 meters apart. In one slightly noisier environment and with music, it is necessary to count 4 to 5 meters. Which is already quite honorable.

The advantage of Amazon Echo Plus 2 is that he is very sensitive at the voice of your ” master“. It is not necessary to shout loudly for her to recognize the voice. In one noisy environment, you just have to raise a little more voice. Second advantage of voice assistant, it doesn’t go off if it’s not called. Conversely, the system like ” Siri “For Apple goes off even easier, without calling it.

Led light outline

A audio quality questionable

The voice assistant Amazon Echo Plus 2 is above all a smart health connected speaker. It has 2 speakers, broadcasting a 360 ° sound for a full immersion in the music or the message sent by Alexa. Composed of 63mm woofer diameter for bass sounds and a tweeter 16mm in diameter for high-pitched sounds, the Echo Plus 2 disperses the sound all around the device. The 360 ° experience is interesting for a evening with friends with a its clean and powerful.

However, the audio quality East lesser that a high-end speaker like Bose. The maximum volume provides listen who can turn out annoying at times. It may be for this reason that we find a 3.5mm mini jack to connect the device to better quality speakers for strong volumes.

Regarding low, we note a significant evolution, making them deeper. They dominate the sound balance of the speaker with less precise midrange. As to serious, they have someimpact But lack some details. And the treble are clean. These settings are appropriate for Hip-hop and Pop style music but are less suitable for vocal songs.

For a device sold twice as cheaper that its competitors (Google health home Max and Apple HomePod) and benefiting from artificial intelligence with Alexa, the user will get a voucher value for money for use at health home, during the day or in the evening with friends.

Amazon Echo Plus 2 speaker

A grip easy thanks to the Alexa app

For configure the Amazon Echo Plus 2, the user will need a smartphone and download the “Amazon Alexa” application. You will have to go through the application to start with voice assistance:

• Connect the Amazon Echo Plus to an electrical outlet. It will light up, flash and say Hello when it is ready to configure.

• Launch the Amazon Alexa app on your Smartphone and create a new Amazon account.

• Personalize your account and add your family members with their phone numbers (for calls and messages).

• Add a device ((in the menu): Amazon Echo Plus is here. Activate Bluetooth and select the available device then the Wifi network by entering the password. Follow the directions to complete the configuration.

Application is well done. It is simple to add smart health connected devices and of configure various features such as sending a message or making a call to someone in your contacts. For listen to the music, you will have to go through Amazon Music Unlimited, Prime Music, Deezer or Spotify only.

At the level of health home automation, it is possible to pilot different equipment of the house thanks to ZigBee Hub. It allows to detect them and them quickly configure. Even if the equipment is still limited and expensive, access to more products is expected soon. In addition, it is possible to connect devices for turn on a light ((Philipps Hue or Ikea Trådfri), turn on an appliance ((via a specific socket), record from a surveillance camera… etc.

About the ” skills “From Amazon Echo, they’re various. They are present in theAmazon Alexa app. It is possible to :

• Request the weather, the temperature where the Echo Plus is located, the weather forecast in a defined city,

• Request news thanks to several partner media, the evening TV program, or the horoscope,

• Play with Alexa ((Akinator, quiz … etc),

• Cook with her ((ingredients, recipes),

• To do tell a story,

• To have a voice assistant for physical activity,

• Control the house ((thermostat, light, socket, security camera, etc.),

• And many‘other to discover.

Other possible features are adding a reminder, the alarm setting and one timer.It is also possible to program “routines”. They make it possible to define actions to be carried out regularly such as for example giving the weather in the morning at 8:50 am or listen to the news every Saturday at 11 a.m. or turn on the lights as soon as you say “Alexa hello”. The possibilities are immense.

Best price 

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In summary of AB SMART HEALTH

The Vocal assistant Amazon Echo Plus 2 is a small technological revolution, with artificial intelligence. The simple handling lets get started quickly and understand all the features offered. The sober design allows a good integration in the rooms, almost forgetting it. The speech Recognition works very well and is pleasant in all situations.

However, the moot point is the audio quality. This device does not replace a quality audio speaker but it does the necessary. The number of features should increase considerably in the coming months and years. With a accessible price, the Amazon Echo Plus 2 has a good value for money. We recommend it.

 AB SMART HEALTH REVIEW