Should you buy an Amazon Echo Input?
Best answer: Yes! The Echo Input is designed to add Alexa smarts to existing speakers, making it an ideal choice if you're looking to enhance the functionality of an old speaker or A/V receiver.
Amazon: Amazon Echo Input ($35)
Instantly add Alexa to an older speaker
The Echo Input is a hockey puck-sized add-on that connects to an existing speaker via an aux cable (or Bluetooth) and lets you to talk to Alexa. It essentially turns your existing speaker into an Echo device, which means you'll be able to pair it with other Echo or Alexa-enabled devices in your home for multi-room audio. It has the same four far-field mic array as the Echo Dot, which ensures that Alexa will be able to hear you from across the room — even with loud music playing.
That's the best part about the Echo Input. Yes, it lets you easily stream music, but the fact that it also offers Alexa integration makes it a standout product. You can get weather updates, listen to your news briefing, control smart home products, set reminders, and so much more on the sound system you've spent years building. Instead of spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on new smart speakers, the $35 Echo Input will make your "dumb" speakers smart.
The Echo Input's low profile alleviates any worries around placement. Even if you tuck it away in your entertainment center, the far-field mics will be able to pick up your commands. The ease of use combined with the versatility of Alexa makes the Echo Input a great choice if you're looking for a way to upgrade your speakers.
Our pick
An essential upgrade to existing speakers
You won't find an easier way to add Alexa and multi-room audio to an existing stereo system or individual speaker than the Echo Input. The low profile makes it unobtrusive, and the far-field mics ensure Alexa is able to hear you from all the way across the room.
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Harish Jonnalagadda is Android Central's Senior Editor of Asia. In his current role, he oversees the site's coverage of Chinese phone brands, networking products, and AV gear. He has been testing phones for over a decade, and has extensive experience in mobile hardware and the global semiconductor industry. Contact him on Twitter at @chunkynerd.