MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
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Looking for a new speaker for my laptop/office/zwift that'll seamlessly work with spotify/google assistant etc.
I've got a pair of Google Nest Audio speakers downstairs, that I like, but at £90 a pop they were a bit of a treat to myself - not sure I can justify a third. However, I'm pretty embedded with the 'hey google' thing, so wondering if there are any decent alternatives that cost £30-£50, with decent sound, that I can talk to in the same way?
currently got a pair of logitec speakers that must be 20yrs old plugged in to the laptop's 3.5mm jack, who's sound isn't exactly immersive, and nor is that from the TV I use as my main screen....
I don't think you're likely to significantly improve sound quality for £30
Last-gen Amazon Echo was £25 the other day, probably will be again on Black Friday. Whether you'll want to invest in a second infrastructure is another matter.
I think it's ended now, but Spotify were doing a free Google Mini if you sign up for Pro.
I don’t think you’re likely to significantly improve sound quality for £30
fair enough - as basic as it sounds, neither of the speakers i have in the office do the music I like justice! would £50 make a difference? the Logitec speakers I have were hardly top-spec in 2000!
Last-gen Amazon Echo was £25 the other day, probably will be again on Black Friday. Whether you’ll want to invest in a second infrastructure is another matter.
I think it’s ended now, but Spotify were doing a free Google Mini if you sign up for Pro.
yeah, want to avoid another ecosystem, and my Google Mini is due to arrive, via spotify, in December! but again, if the Mini is like my Nest display thingy, the sound won't br quite what I'm after.
TBH if there's one I can plug in to the laptop that'll do, but I quite like the smart-ness of the Google Audio. Can I get that functionality without buying a Google product?
if you have a mini coming, you could plug it into some dumb speakers and have the audio from there. second hand you might get something alright..
Do the Nests have audio out? You could use a cheap speaker for, uh, googlyness and plug something meatier into it?
21 seconds!
If you can find a chromecast audio on amaznetbay then you can connect that via 3.5mm to a decent set of speakers. You can then cast directly to it from your devices or even have it set as a default output for talking to a mini. I have this setup in my livingroom with a cast enabled soundbar and the mini next to the sofa acts as the controller for the sound (music only. tv sound is normal remote).
Those Chromecast Audios are looking like £40 - with a speaker too I might as well get the big one 🙁
I do have a Gen3 Chromecast on the back of my TV - can that cast to a bluetooth speaker, and act as the hub for it?
Mebbe I should just dip my hand in my pocket 😅