Okay, so the Echo Dot is a great product. If you're looking for an entry-level smart speaker packed with features, it's a great go-to option. It can however leave you wanting more if stellar audio was on your wishlist. But never fret, there are still some options for you when it comes to adding a bit of juice to your Echo system.
You can connect an external speaker to an Echo Dot via Bluetooth or with a 3.5mm/AUX cable. For Bluetooth, put the speaker in pairing mode and set it up in the Alexa app. Connecting a speaker to your Echo Dot will allow more room-filling sound and make the external speaker a smart speaker.
So what do you need to know about connecting your Echo Dot to a speaker, and what should you avoid? We've got all that information and more. By the end of this article, you'll be confident in your skills to get everything connected and ready for playback.
How to Connect an Echo Dot to a Bluetooth Speaker
The Amazon Echo Dot (on Amazon) is more than just a smart command center. Amazon has made it super easy to connect it to another speaker via Bluetooth.
This not only adds to the versatility of the Echo Dot but can also mean you get a higher quality audio experience while still having all the best smart speaker functions.
Steps for connecting a Bluetooth speaker to an Echo Dot:
- Open the Alexa app on your phone.
- Select the Devices tab at the bottom.
- Find and tap on Echo & Alexa.
- Tap on your Echo Dot under the room it's assigned to.
- Under Bluetooth Connections, tap “Connect a device”.
- Put the Bluetooth speaker in “discovery” mode. (Typically done by holding the bluetooth button).
- Select your Bluetooth speaker in the list of available devices in the Alexa app.
Once you follow these steps, the Echo Dot should make a chime then all audio should be played through the Bluetooth speaker! Amazon has made the process as painless as possible; just another way the team behind the Echo line of products is trying to make a smart home system and not just another speaker.
How to Connect an Echo Dot to a Speaker via AUX
Some speakers don't offer Bluetooth connectivity, most do nowadays, so that shouldn't be a concern. However, if it's a speaker that you move around all of the time, then reconnecting the Echo Dot and Bluetooth speaker all the time could become annoying.
Another option is to directly connect the Echo Dot and speaker using an AUX or 3.5mm cable.
Connecting This one is even simpler than connecting via Bluetooth. The only extra component you may need is a 3.5 mm AUX cable. These are really easy to come by too, you likely have one somewhere in your home. If you can't find one, you can purchase them from basically any retailer or buy an AUX Cable (on Amazon). They are very cheap cables.
Steps for connecting an Echo Dot to a speaker with an AUX cable:
- Power the speaker on.
- Connect one end of the AUX cable to the Echo Dot.
- Connect the other end into the the speaker's AUX input.
Once both ends of the AUX cable are connected, all audio should be playing through the connected speaker instead of the Echo Dot. If it's not working for some reason, try disconnecting both ends of the AUX cable, wait a few seconds, then reconnect them.
Why Use an Extra Speaker with an Echo Dot?
If you’re already enjoying your Echo Dot, why would you want to add an extra speaker? Well, let’s walk through some reasons as to why you’d want to add those extra drivers to your Echo system.
First, let’s talk about sound. When it comes to audio quality, the Echo Dot is, well, not the most outstanding in terms of audio. That’s not to say that it's bad, but if you're looking for a clean and crisp sound with plenty of booming bass, this isn't the device for you.
You can get around the Echo Dot's lack of audio quality by connecting an external speaker via Bluetooth or with an AUX cable, you'll likely get a much better audio experience!
Can You Connect Alexa to Other Speakers?
You may need to use an extra speaker if you need the extra volume, but still want to utilize the Echo smart speaker system. Look, we know that there are better quality speakers on the market, but they won’t feature the Alexa smart assistant. Adding an extra speaker means you can get the best of both worlds.
In this situation, you can use the Echo Dot’s microphone to listen for commands but have the external speaker playing the sounds. If you go this route, you’ll want to make sure you strike a balance when it comes to the distance between the two.
Too far, and you might not be able to hear the response when you ask a command clearly. Alternatively, your device may not be able to listen to you if the speaker is too close and causing frequencies mashing.
It's also good to know that you can link together multiple Amazon Echo speakers into a group. So you can play the same music across all of the Echo devices in your home!
