Amazon Show 5 - Microphones

[Dolby]

A few years back I bought myself a few Amazon Dot Gen 2 to connect to my Sonoff devices and TV.

I thought the Dot Gen 2 were great devices, albeit it a little plasticky with thin sound. When they launched the Gen 3 I sold my old units and bought the new ones - which looked and sounded much better. But - I noted Amazon reduced the microphones from 7 to only 4 and although they said there was no impact, I often myself speaking louder than with the Gen 2.

It wasn't a huge issue - but when I saw the Amazon Show, I was worried about it being the same or even worse. I checked reviews - but there is very little in the way of comparisons and sensitivity. I was left with no choice buy to actually buy one and test myself.

I'm happy to say it picks me up speaking at a normal volume - so if there is anyone else with a Dot Gen 3 that is curious, there's no issue with this. Having a screen is pretty neat when checking weather forecasts or traffic, but it's also pretty cool because it links to my EZVIZ cameras and Skype.

 

[abudabi]

Nice!

I've been uhming and ahing over the last few weeks as I didn't know which route to go (Amazon vs Google). Took the plunge and have 4 nest minis and 2 nest hubs (not max so no camera) on the way. Should be good enough for me as I don't foresee myself skyping.

Google store has a real good hub & mini combo special at the moment that clinched it for me.

Can't wait to try them out!

 

[Dolby]

I've got a Google Home Mini... And you're going to laugh, but one major reason I disliked it was saying 'OK Google'.... It just doesn't roll off the tongue!

But I must try it out again to see how it's evolved

 

[abudabi]

I've got a Google Home Mini... And you're going to laugh, but one major reason I disliked it was saying 'OK Google'.... It just doesn't roll off the tongue!

But I must try it out again to see how it's evolved

I know right.... I would much rather like to say Alexa than hey Google.

On Android phones I've read articles on how you can hack it to something else... But don't think that's possible on hubs/minis

 

[Spizz]

I replaced my Dot 3 with a Show 5 about 6 months ago. The screen is such a great addition I’m not sure how we ever managed without it.

 

[Spizz]

What lights do you use btw? I’ve got 6 bulbs on a Philips Hue hub and one individual Mi.

 

[Dolby]

@Spizz Did you also notice the huge difference in sensitivity ?

Agreed with the screen ; adds a huge element!

 

[Dolby]

What lights do you use btw? I’ve got 6 bulbs on a Philips Hue hub and one individual Mi.

I'm using Sonoffs for the lights (and a water feature) and a smart plug for the lamp.

 

[Spizz]

@Spizz Did you also notice the huge difference in sensitivity ?

Agreed with the screen ; adds a huge element!

I generally stand in front of the thing to issue commands and always have, but I have noticed recently it picks up commands well from distance, especially from my sofa when I'm saying to put the outside lights on. So I guess that's a yes.

TBF, the only problem I have is with my Scottish accent and that's not so often. Telling Alexa to put a Christmas playlist on Spotify a couple of days ago had my son in stitches. She kept on playing a song called Christmas dash dash or some nonsense like that

 

[Dolby]

 

[bwana]

TBF, the only problem I have is with my Scottish accent and that's not so often. Telling Alexa to put a Christmas playlist on Spotify a couple of days ago had my son in stitches. She kept on playing a song called Christmas dash dash or some nonsense like that

Alexa understands my accent a lot better than the rest of the family who are South African.

My only complaint is that the Dots are too sensitive. We have four of them though out the house and its rare that only one picks up a command.

 

[Dolby]

My only complaint is that the Dots are too sensitive. We have four of them though out the house and its rare that only one picks up a command.

Which generation ?

I like sensitive and didn't found the Gen 3 with enough sensitivity.

 

[bwana]

Which generation ?

I like sensitive and didn't found the Gen 3 with enough sensitivity.

Three second gen and a third gen.

 

[Spizz]

We now use the Dot 3 in the kitchen of my wife’s restaurant solely for streaming music. Actually bought another one last week for £25 in the Amazon Christmas sale for this purpose in another work area.

An echo dot with tune in radio and even a Spotify subscription are just brilliant value for a streaming device even if you use it for nothing else.

Edit: I should say that when buying it I was very tempted by the new Echo Show 8 but refrained (for now)

 

[Dolby]

Edit: I should say that when buying it I was very tempted by the new Echo Show 8 but refrained (for now)

I also wanted the 8" - but I wanted to try make sure it was what I wanted and the 5.5" was cheaper to test. Now that I look at it next to the bed, I think it's a perfect size - but if I get for other parts of the home, I'll go larger.