Home / Technology / Echo Speakers Transform into Surround Sound
Echo Speakers Transform into Surround Sound
4 Feb
Summary
- Echo speakers wirelessly create Dolby Atmos surround sound.
- Setup involves Echo speakers and a Fire TV streamer.
- System offers modularity and automatic audio calibration.
Amazon's Alexa Home Theater system enables users to assemble a surround sound setup using compatible Echo speakers and an Echo Sub. This wireless Dolby Atmos system bypasses the need for soundbars or wired connections to the TV. Users connect two to five Echo Dot Max or Echo Studio speakers and an Echo Sub to a Fire TV streamer, such as the Fire TV Cube or Fire TV Stick 4K Max. The Fire TV platform synchronizes these speakers, using their microphones for automatic calibration into a unified spatial audio system.
This modular approach allows for scalability, starting with a basic stereo setup and expanding over time. The system intelligently tunes each speaker based on its location, optimizing spatial sound even with asymmetrical placement. A key limitation is the requirement of a Fire TV device connected to the TV, and speakers cannot be mixed between Echo Dot Max and Echo Studio models within a single setup.
Setup involves individually connecting each speaker and the Fire TV device to Wi-Fi via the Alexa app, followed by a mostly automated process on the Fire TV. Users connect the Fire TV to an ARC/eARC-equipped HDMI port and ensure TV audio output is set to this port. Testing with four Echo Studios demonstrated impressive bass and a wide soundstage, with added speakers significantly enhancing immersion. While automatic calibration is effective, room acoustics still influence optimal sound balance.
