Should How does Google Home sound?

[ChuckG73]

I have a Sonos 1 in the kitchen and listen to it every night while I cook dinner. I want to buy the Google Home to replace it but want to know if it will sound as good as the Sonos 1.

 

[ChuckG73]

Comparing both smart speakers (Google Home and Amazon Echo) to the Sonos Play:1 -- which, admittedly, has no voice control smarts -- was simply no contest: The Sonos sounds like it's playing music, whereas the two voice assistants can only approximate it. It blows both away. Destroys them. It offers deeper bass, an expressive mid-range and articulated highs that the Echo and the Home could only even hint at.

 

[Amyshubby1]

Absolutely true, but Sonos is a speaker meant for music. This is a personal assistant that also plays music. It sounds better than a cheap Bluetooth speaker but it's not meant to compete with the Sonos. Personally, I find it acceptable for listening to music in the kitchen (also where my family has it). For a larger room you can get an audio cast and plug it into a stereo and it will work perfectly.

 

[French]

I must be so NOT picky about music quality (even though I do have a Bose speakers in my car). I think the Home sounds fabulous! I live in a small 1,100 foot space and it's positioned in my dining/kitchen area but can be heard from everywhere and I love it. I had a little monster clarity speaker in there before and I used to think that sounded good. Ha. Not even close.

 

[magisternautaque]

My Play 1 sounds way better than Google Home, but I have fallen in love with the voice controls. I have a pair of play 5s with the audio in jack. On 11/15 I'm gonna buy a chromecast audio to plug into one of the play 5s so that I can say "OK google play such and such on sonos.

 

[jam4775]

If you are trying to replace a Sonos, Bose, or any other speaker in that $200 range, you are probably going to be disappointed in Google Home's sound quality. But if you are trying to replace your Echo with the Home you definitely won't be disappointed... The Home is easily as good, I think better, as the Echo... Has a fuller sound with more low end.

And the best part you can create groups with Home and chromecast audio devices... I have 2 Homes and playing across both of them is way cool and sounds very nice.

 

[maf113]

I started with a pair of JBL computer speakers I had laying around and a Chromecast Audio. This worked ok until I could get better speakers and really did not sound all that bad. The only problem is the JBLs do not have a standby mode so they are always powered on.

Next I ordered off Amazon the Grace Digital Cast Dock https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EXCTQBO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 This has a place in the top to insert and connect the Google Chromecast Audio device. The sound is a little base heavy.

I recently ordered the Denon Heos 1 HS2 (new version) for $99.00. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CTUJQL2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 This has an Aux Input. There is a USB port also, but not sure if it will work to power the Chromecast audio. It arrives tomorrow. If the sound is better than the Grace Digital I will return the Grace and get more of the Heos. Heos also works like Sonos in that they have an app that allows you to combine speakers into groups and such. The advantage of the Heos is that it has WiFi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, USB and Aux Input. The USB supports just about any USB compatible storage device (USB memory Sticks or hard drives).

Using the Google Home with Chromecast Audio devices or speakers with Chromecast built it is far more flexible than Sonos, in my opinion. The device supports both analog and digital output; allows setting up groups; works with any application that supports Chromecast (Pandora, Spotify, Google Play Music and many others); and allows you to use whatever speaker arrangement you want. So, for example, if you have an amplified stereo speaker setup with an Aux input you are set to go with stereo without having to buy two $200 wireless speakers from say Sonos

 

[mrkalel]

Have to say...I was anticipating to not like the speakers that much from what I have heard...but man...this thing is prety damn good! Great bass for something so small...
(Though I do have it close to a wall on one side, so probably helps)

 

[Dankees]

I think it sounds fantastic. I swt it up in a corner, on a marble surface, behind my TV. It's actually hidden.

 

[Maknora]

this speaker is amazing. very crisp and great bass no matter what volume.

 

[Richard Servello]

The speaker sounds fine. Chromecast integration is where it shines. You can control Chromecast devices reg and audio.

 

[segag1]

Its pretty average IMO compared to the likes of Sonos. I have a smaller Jabra solemate mini, which is way better then the home and its wireless. But i still use Home for my music needs because of the assistant.