Expert review of the Google Nest Audio
Google Nest Audio
- With the built-in Google Assistant, you can control the speaker via voice commands.
- The speaker distinguishes up to 6 voices, so you can use the device with multiple people.
- With extra Google Nest speakers, you can easily create a multi-room setup and stream your music throughout the entire house.
- You need a Google account to use functions like calendar management.
First impression of the Google Nest Audio
When I take the Google Nest Audio out of the box, the size of the speaker catches my eye. It's definitely larger and wider than its predecessor, the Google Home. The speaker has a stylish design without physical buttons, and a sturdy bottom of white plastic. On the back, I find a switch to turn the Google Assistant on or off. On top of the speaker, there are touch controls to pause the music or adjust the volume.
Easy setup
The setup is very easy, even if you didn't set up a Google Nest speaker before. I connect the speaker to the socket and open the Google Home app. The app automatically finds new devices and guides you through the setup. I connect the speaker to my home network and go through a couple of steps to set my preferences. I link my Spotify account, so the assistent can start playing my favorite music right away.
More powerful sound than other Nest speakers
When I play my playlist, I notice that the Nest Audio is quite the upgrade compared to the Google Home. They definitely worked on a richer and more powerful sound. This makes the Google Nest Audio much more suitable for playing music than the other Nest speakers. The sound of the speaker is quite balanced, with a bass that's a little less powerful at times. In large living rooms, one Nest Audio speaker might not be enough.
Stereo pairing
Thanks to stereo pairing, you can easily set up a speaker group with stereo sound in the Google Home app. I pair my 2 Nest Audio speakers to see how this works. Pairing is very easy with the app. Now that I have both speakers work together, my music gets just that little bit of extra power. You can't just pair multiple Nest Audio speakers, but also a Nest Hub or Mini. That way, you can create a music system throughout your entire house.
Smart voice assistant
Even though Google clearly focuses on the improved listening experience with the Nest Audio, the voice assistant has been improved as well. I mainly notice this when I give standard voice commands. The assistent responds fast and without making mistakes when I want to pause the music or change the volume. Dimming my smart lights or starting a series on the Chromecast is also done without problems. This improved responsiveness is nice, even though it's just a matter of seconds.
Conclusion
With the Google Nest Audio, Google is taking a giant leap in sound quality. Compared to other Nest speakers, this one is the best option for listening to music. Because the speaker is less powerful than more expensive WiFi speakers, you'll need multiple speakers in larger living rooms. Thanks to the convenience of stereo pairing via the app, this doesn't have to be a problem. This speaker is a good choice for people who like to control their smart home with their voice and who like music.
