December 7, 2025, 3:17 pm | Read time: 6 minutes
Amazon has given its Echo Studio a comprehensive upgrade. The new version is more compact, delivers better 3D sound, and excels as a central hub in the smart home. However, despite its strong performance, TECHBOOK’s test also highlights critical points regarding sound quality and connectivity.
With the new Echo Studio (2025), Amazon reintroduces its premium speaker–smaller, rounder, and smarter than before. But behind the fresh look is much more than a design update. The latest Studio aims to combine powerful 3D sound, precise voice control, and a complete smart home hub in one device. It sounds like the perfect control center for the living room–but does the speaker really deliver on this promise?
Overview
Design Now More Compact and Spherical
Amazon has given its most powerful Alexa speaker a new exterior. Instead of the previous cylindrical shape (here’s the test of the first Echo Studio), the Echo Studio (2025) now appears rounder and more compact. With dimensions of about 15 x 14 centimeters and a weight of 1.63 kilograms, it visually aligns more closely with other Echo models.
The light ring is now at the front, framing a curved control surface with three physical buttons for volume and microphone. The fabric-like surface feels high-quality, and the speaker overall gives a stable impression.
However, the included power cable is a point of criticism. With a fixed plug connection and a length of only 1.5 meters, it is noticeably short in everyday use. Especially when the speaker is to be positioned flexibly in the room or operated on a piece of furniture without nearby outlets, you quickly reach limits. A detachable or longer cable would clearly offer more flexibility and better match the otherwise high-quality overall impression of the device.
Easy Setup and Operation
As usual, setup via the Alexa app is quick and easy. Once connected to Wi-Fi, the speaker is ready to use within minutes. The light ring illuminates differently depending on the status for orientation.
Many functions can be controlled in the app–from sound profiles to device groups to automations. However, it’s somewhat inconvenient that the equalizer is only accessible through several menus. Only basic settings can be made directly on the device.
Additionally, the menu structure in the app sometimes seems nested. Many options are hidden in submenus, unnecessarily complicating spontaneous adjustments. More direct operation would make usage significantly more intuitive.
3D Audio Despite Smaller Design
Despite the reduced housing and one less speaker than its predecessor, the Echo Studio (2025) delivers impressive sound. This is made possible by a 9.5-centimeter woofer and three 3.8-centimeter full-range speakers that provide room-filling 3D sound. This is supported by Dolby Atmos and automatic room calibration.
Music sounds detailed, voices are clearly understandable. The bass is not as powerful as its predecessor, but the mids and highs are more balanced. At high volume, the sound remains stable and distortion-free, although the maximum volume is limited to 88 decibels. For more sound fullness, two devices can be paired into a stereo pair.
Music Services and Home Theater Functions
The Echo Studio supports common streaming services like Amazon Music, Spotify, and Apple Music. For particularly high-resolution music, Amazon’s own service is recommended, as Tidal, for example, is not supported. Alternatively, music can also be transmitted via Bluetooth–traditional connections like a 3.5-millimeter jack or an optical input are missing.
For home theater fans, the speaker offers optional integration with Fire TV devices. In combination with additional Echo Studios, a wireless surround setup with Dolby Atmos is created–but only when using a compatible Fire TV Stick or Cube.
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Smart Home Hub with Matter and Thread
As a smart home hub, the Echo Studio impresses with broad protocol support: Matter, Zigbee, and Thread are directly integrated. This allows many devices to be controlled without an additional bridge, which makes it easier for beginners to get started. The integrated temperature sensor is also practical, making automations–such as for radiators–even more flexible.
However, the test showed that not all Matter devices can be integrated without issues. Especially with devices that were not previously set up in their manufacturer’s app, there were repeated pairing process interruptions. In everyday use, however, control works stably once a device is successfully integrated.
Overall, operation and control benefit noticeably from the improved microphone technology. Even in noisy environments, the Echo Studio recognizes voice commands more reliably than its predecessors. Short commands or quiet speech are also captured more precisely, making everyday life significantly easier–whether music is playing or the TV is on in the background.
Conclusion: Strong Sound Meets Smart Networking
The Echo Studio (2025) shows how far Amazon’s premium speaker has matured. Its spatial sound, reliable voice control, and broad smart home support make it a versatile centerpiece in the living room. The more compact design suits it well, and it also noticeably improves in terms of user comfort.
However, despite successful development, there is room for improvement: The limited connection options, short power cable, and somewhat restrained bass performance hold back the overall package. But for those primarily seeking a modern, smartly networked speaker with solid 3D sound, the new Echo Studio is a strong companion–versatile, smart, and surprisingly confident in everyday use.
Pros:
- Room-filling 3D sound with Dolby Atmos and automatic room calibration
- More compact, modern design with a spherical look
- Very good voice control, reliable even at high volume
- Extensive smart home hub thanks to support for Matter, Zigbee, and Thread
- Easy setup via the Alexa app
- Multiroom and stereo pair function possible
- Supports common music services like Amazon Music, Spotify, and Apple Music
- Bluetooth connection for wireless streaming
Cons:
- Power cable too short and with fixed plug
- No aux or optical input
- Bass performance weaker than the previous model
- Maximum volume limited (88 decibels)
- Equalizer settings buried deep in the menu
- Matter devices not always reliably pairable
- High price compared to other smart speakers