Quick review:
Looks awesome (I got the white one).
As loud as the Tap.
About as much bass as the Tap, but with what sounds like a lower quality amp, so definitely slightly harsh sounding at all volumes, as though there's always a bit of distortion, mostly even harmonic distortion (even harmonics sound harsh). Cutting back on the midrange and treble might help but there's no tone controls so that's moot.
Big issue: it is WAY TOO LOUD at the lowest volume setting. Not good for a bedside Alexa device!!!
It makes a little whine noise when Alexa is speaking. It doesn't make the whine noise otherwise.
Does not fit the original model Dot unless you want to try to force it in, and then would have trouble turning the volume knob anyway.
Will I keep it? Yes. I think it's the best solution out there so far for an extra Dot (new model) lying about otherwise unused. I'm just going to leave it in the guest room for guests to play with.
Compared to the Bose Soundlink Mini II? Lol no contest. The Bose sounds an order of magnitude nicer in clarity, lack of distortion, and bass response. The Bose is$200 though and doesn't have a reliable wired connection - only Bluetooth works barely reliably.
I still haven't found a perfect speaker solution for the Tap that isn't crazy expensive or crazy huge.
And there's certainly nothing on the market that integrates the Dot into itself like this does. It's super clean and looks fantastic.
I just wish they'd spent a few more dollars on the amp and EQ settings to make it sound as good as the Tap, or even the Echo.
They also really need to change the volume ramp up curve so that the lowest volume setting is about 20dB lower than it is now.
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