Amazon's Echo Dot Max and Echo Studio speakers are now available (they were announced in September). I went hands-on with both models to find which one offers the best performance for the money.

The new Studio, which costs $210, boasts "premium audio," including Dolby Atmos capability and comes in a spherical design. Amazon says it's reduced the size of the Echo Studio by 40%, but this is a little disingenuous. The new speaker is the same size as the existing Echo (about 5.5 inches in diameter). All the company has really done is rename that product's follow-up.

Meanwhile, the Echo Dot Max, priced at $100, is a 4-inch-diameter speaker with an improved microphone array. Amazon says the speaker can now detect the chosen wake-word up to 50% better. It lacks Dolby Atmos, though. Echo

See Full Page