These are the smart devices that I have and my quick review after using them for a while. Hopefully if you are considering buying one this may help.


Sonos One
It is probably the best sounding smart speaker you ever need.
+
Best sounding with room tuning capability
Best mid range with natural treble and adequate bass
Nice looking especially white color unit
Reasonably loud
Multi rooms play. In fact Sonos is probably the first with this feature

-
It is expensive. RM1199 sold here.
Not smart in Malaysia. Supposed to be able to work with Alexa but only for a few selected countries and of course Malaysia is not one of them.
No Bluetooth
Can't play very high resolution music like dsd



Amazon Echo Show
+
Screen display
Decent sound
Tons of recipes. Good to use in kitchen
Full Alexa
Solid built
Works with both 2.4ghz or 5ghz wifi
Voice command screen navigation
Bluetooth connectivity
Multi rooms play

-
Expensive for the capabilities especially so so screen resolution
You tube integration cranky
Sound below expectation for the price although ok



Amazon Echo Dot 2nd Gen
+
Full Alexa
Good value
Decent sound but not for serious listening
Sensitive mic
Decent look. Not offensive
Multi rooms play

-
Simple device with no built in thermometer or other capabilities
More outages lately where it disconnected from amazon hence no service



Google Home mini
+
Great value
Good mic pickup
Sound is similar to Echo Dot. Not for serious listening but good to listen to radio stations
Good understanding of language

-
It is just me or what I can’t set up google to play Tidal without another “mediator app”. It is not good. Alexa I can play easily
For the price really nothing to complain



Amazon Echo Plus Gen3
+
Good sound. About 80-85% of Sonos One
Built in thermometer
Full Alexa
Good mic
Good size. Less obtrusive
Bluetooth connectivity
Multi rooms play

-
Slightly costly
Amazon has more outages lately



Amazon Echo Dot (see newer Echo dot comments but this one is great. My oldest device and still works great)



UE Megaboom 3
+
Good sound. Almost as good as Sonos. Not quite but close
Great bass and can play super loud
Good for parties
20 hours of battery life on full charge. Hence can play anywhere
Water proof. Dust proof. Can float in swimming pool
Very good Bluetooth connectivity. Long range
Good selection of bright colors
Can set up stereo or multiple pairs

-
Look can be divisive. Look like a phallus
Mid range is not so great even with EQ
Straight Bluetooth speaker. No smart capabilities

This post has been edited by blancpain4470: May 22 2020, 12:48 PM

Sonos. Megaboom all can do that. You can connect hundreds of UE speakers together if you want.
Multi room play for higher Amazon models, Sonos and UE

CM510 close to audiophile? I wouldn't dare say my Sonos one is audiophile. I very much doubt so

This post has been edited by blancpain4470: May 17 2020, 10:44 AM

That's what I did. I put my echo dot close to Sonos 1. 😄. That said you only have limited capabilities with this set up such as play next, play previous, mute. Because Sonos one doesn't have bluetooth I can't connect them to make everything coming out from Sonos

It's a shame that Sonos can't be smart here. It is damn good a speaker. I am very happy with the sound quality

This post has been edited by blancpain4470: May 17 2020, 01:26 PM

Lol. Can't consider anything more as wifey will kill me. But I doubt too many will be better than Sonos. 😬

I haven't been able to play the like of TuneIn via Echo dot but I can use Sonos app to play. Just no voice command.

My biggest gripe is you can't play from Synology the DSD music I stored there because it is (blue)toothless! I can use Synology audio app to play DSD files on any device with Bluetooth connectivity.

Duplicate

This post has been edited by blancpain4470: May 17 2020, 03:13 PM

Ok. Thanks

You are welcome. In terms of Amazon vs Google, I started with Alexa and thus with more of them. But both are equally good with AI but Google has more global support as Alexa is not officially supported in Malaysia. It is not easy to get the Alexa app on your phone especially iPhone. You can access via web site but some features are crippled. So you need to get a US apple id if you are apple user like me. Only then you can get full benefits of Alexa system.

For example I need Alexa app to enable unlocking of my smart door lock (strangely locking is ok). But with Alexa app you can set it so. Not with their web interface. But with Google I can do both easily.

This post has been edited by blancpain4470: May 18 2020, 09:41 PM

The closest to audiophile is a pair of Sonos in stereo. However since it doesn't play DSD/DSF I won't count it audiophile. Good enough for semi serious listening

Lol. I never said mine are audiophile speakers. My Naim system and Focal headphones are but that's another story 😬