Amazon's new batch of smart speakers and displays has arrived in Spain and is making a strong entrance with improvements in design, sound and artificial intelligence capabilities. Echo Dot Max, Echo Studio, Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 11 They form a family designed to enjoy more immersive audio and to live with a smarter assistant, with generative AI functions that will be activated as Alexa+ arrives in our country.
Unveiled at an event held in New York at the end of September, these devices have been redesigned inside and out to raise the bar for home audio. Higher quality materials, updated acoustic architectures and custom chips (AZ3 and AZ3 Pro) They mark the change: the aim is for everything to sound better, for Alexa to understand faster, and for the connected home to be even easier to manage from a single place.
A new generation of Echo with a focus on audio and AI
The first thing that stands out is the leap in sound quality. All models share a thorough overhaul of their acoustic architecture to offer a more immersive experience. It mentions spatial audio, Dolby Atmos compatibility, and automatic calibration. which adjusts the sound profile to the room without the user touching anything.
It's not just muscle: intelligence is also leveling up. Thanks to Amazon's new silicon, Echo devices gain processing power to run language and vision models directly on the device, paving the way for more natural and contextual responses from Alexa+ when it becomes available in Spain.
The design is also evolving. There's a shift towards more rounded lines, bases and grilles designed for both aesthetics and acoustic performance, and 3D knitted fabrics that promote sound transparencyThe visual interaction with the light ring receives an extra boost, with animations and a more modern touch, without losing the essence of the Echo ecosystem.
In addition to the leap in audio and AI, the four teams share a comprehensive approach to the connected home. They include digital home controller with Zigbee, Matter and Thread compatibilityTherefore, they are compatible with thousands of home automation devices from the very beginning and without complications.
- Echo Studio (€239,99): The most ambitious smart speaker in the range, with spatial audio and Dolby Atmos support, in a format 40% more compact than the original.
- Echo Dot Max (€109,99): The most powerful Echo Dot yet, now with a two-way system (high-definition woofer and custom tweeter) and almost 3x bass compared to the previous generation.
- Echo Show 8 (€199,99) and Echo Show 11 (€239,99): Renewed smart displays with high-density panels, 13 MP camera and front stereo speakers with custom woofer for spatial audio.
Echo Studio: the speaker that wants to fill the room
Echo Studio gets a big redesign… while being smaller. Amazon claims this new iteration is 40% more compact than the original model, without losing any punch or detail. Its acoustic heart combines a high-excursion woofer with three strategically placed full-range drivers to build an immersive soundstage.
Compatible with spatial audio and Dolby Atmos, the Studio works the magic of automatic calibration: It analyzes the room acoustics in real time and adjusts its response. So that the music envelops you wherever you are. The result is a sound with depth and precision, that feels big even at moderate volumes.
In terms of design, it opts for a spherical shape with 3D woven fabric mesh for maximum acoustic transparency. The light ring takes center stage with a new visual interaction modeladding that touch of personality that has become the brand's trademark. The set aims to blend seamlessly into any room with a premium and understated feel.
A standout feature for home theater: with Alexa Home Theater you can Pair up to five Echo Studio or Echo Dot Max speakers to a compatible Fire TV Stick to set up a multi-channel system in minutes. Alexa automatically adjusts them to the environment, so you don't need to be an expert to get it to sound right.
In Spain, Echo Studio has an official price of €239,99. Its compact dimensions (approx. 147 mm high by 155 mm wide) and a weight of around 1,6 kg They make it surprisingly manageable considering what its transducers are capable of delivering. If you love music or want to take a real leap forward in sound for TV shows and movies, it's the most serious contender in the family.
Echo Dot Max: the little one that no longer sounds small
The best-selling Echo Dot takes a significant leap forward. For the first time, a Dot adopts a two-way acoustic system with two speakersA high-definition woofer optimized for deep bass and a custom tweeter for crisp highs. The result, according to Amazon, is almost three times more bass than the previous generation.
The internal redesign eliminates the separate speaker module to integrate the transducer into the housing itself, doubling the internal volume of air and expanding the body of the soundOn the table, this translates into a more complete profile, with more punch and better presence in vocals and instruments.
There are also useful changes on the outside. The buttons are rearranged in the center with more accessible volume control and a physical switch to mute the microphonesThis is key if privacy is your priority. This model also features a more streamlined design in finishes like graphite, amethyst, and white, making it easy to place in any corner.
The engine is the custom-designed AZ3 chip. What are the benefits? Improved trigger word detection (up to 50% more reliable)Finer microphones to separate your voice from ambient noise and a solid foundation for future AI capabilities on the device itself. All ready for Alexa+ when it arrives in our country.
- Price and availability in Spain: €109,99, now available for purchase or pre-order depending on store and date.
- Adaptive Audio: It uses automatic calibration algorithms to adjust the sound to the environment.
- Integrated smart home: digital home controller to serve as a bridge with Zigbee, Matter and Thread devices.
- Affordable home cinema: Place four Dot Max in the corners of the living room and use Alexa Home Theater with Fire TV for a stunning 3D effect.
Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 11: Screens that sound (and look) better
The Echo Show models take a significant leap forward in image and sound quality. Both models combine high-density panels with in-cell touch technology and a negative liquid crystal design to improve clarity and viewing angles, both in well-lit rooms and in dimly lit environments.
The result is a more enjoyable visual experience, with ambient images that adapt to the decor and content that looks sharp and bright. We're talking about screens with more than a million pixels, optimized for video calls, recipes, Fire TV content, and anything else you can think of to show.
In terms of sound, the change is equally ambitious. Both Show 8 and Show 11 incorporate front-facing stereo speakers and a custom woofer to project audio towards the user, with surround sound effects and clear dialogue in calls and streaming. They also apply acoustic calibration based on the room.
The Show 11 adds extra size for those who want more screen space. Both include 13 MP cameras for video calls high definition and offer a more rounded and cleaner design to integrate effortlessly into the kitchen, living room or office.
Official prices in Spain: Echo Show 8 for €199,99 and Echo Show 11 for €239,99If you need to adjust the perfect angle, you can add the adjustable base (sold separately) for €39,99, designed to complement the finish and color of the device.
- EchoShow 8: Compact format, excellent for video calls and home control.
- EchoShow 11: More screen time for recipes, content, and multitasking at home.
- Spatial Audio: Renewed architecture with front projection and dedicated woofer.
- Ready for Alexa+: with AZ3 Pro chip to support advanced language and vision models.
AI, custom chips and connected home: Alexa+, AZ3 and AZ3 Pro
The biggest lever of this generation is under the skin. Amazon is launching two custom-designed chips: AZ3 and AZ3 Pro, both with AI AcceleratorIts objective is twofold: to improve acoustic tasks (voice detection, noise filtering) and to enable new generative AI experiences on the device itself, with less dependence on the cloud.
AZ3 is responsible for driving better microphones and faster responses in devices like Echo Dot Max. The AZ3 Pro, present in Echo Studio and Echo Show, expands capabilities with support for next-generation language models and vision transformers. This opens the door to a more natural, proactive, and contextual Alexa+ when it becomes available in Spain.
The other key piece is Omnisense, Amazon's sensor platform geared towards ambient AI experiences. Omnisense utilizes camera signals (13 MP in Show), audio, ultrasound, Wi-Fi radar, accelerometer, and Wi-Fi CSI. so that Alexa can better understand the context (presence, temperature, light, or subtle changes in the environment) and can suggest or activate routines automatically.
Regarding the connected home, all new Echo devices incorporate the digital home hub with Zigbee, Matter and ThreadThis means fewer bridges, greater compatibility, and simplified setup for light bulbs, plugs, sensors, and thermostats. Plus, with Alexa Home Theater, Echo devices become speakers for your Fire TV Stick: you can set up a 3D system in minutes without any construction or extra wiring.
While Alexa+ is officially arriving in Spain, teams are already prepared to unlock the assistant's new era features. In the United States, Alexa+ operates as a subscription service.And in our country, the company has announced that its rollout will be "soon," although without a specific date for now.
Built-in accessibility and privacy as standard
Amazon remains focused on making its devices accessible to everyone. Echo devices support... VoiceView (screen reader), voice control for the home, and voice shoppingIn addition to routines that help automate daily tasks effortlessly, these are key features for people who are blind or have low vision, or for anyone who simply prefers a simpler home.
Privacy has both a physical and a digital space. Beyond the controls within the app, Echo devices include a button to disable the microphones when you don't want them to hear. The improved conversation detection of the AZ3 chip helps to better filter out ambient noise, so Alexa only responds when it really needs to.
Prices and availability: what you can buy now
In the Spanish market, Amazon is positioning its new range with competitive prices, taking into account the leap in design, sound, and AI capabilities. Echo Dot Max: €109,99; Echo Studio: €239,99; Echo Show 8: €199,99; Echo Show 11: €239,99Depending on the model, you can buy now or reserve with delivery at a later date, and the brand has indicated that full availability is expected before the end of the year.
In some markets, specific marketing dates have been announced for each product, with staggered launches throughout October and November. As always, prices may vary depending on promotions and availability.So it's a good idea to check the product details on Amazon to confirm the nearest delivery date.
Expanded ecosystem: Fire TV and Ring to complete the experience
The entertainment offering is enhanced with the new Fire TV Stick 4K Select (€54,99), which comes with the Vega operating systemIt's compatible with HDR10+ and comes pre-installed with major streaming platforms (like Disney+, Netflix, and YouTube). Combined with Alexa Home Theater, you can... use Echo devices as a surround sound system and take the audio of your series and movies to another level without setting up a complex system.
In terms of security, Amazon adds the Ring Wired Video Doorbell Pro with Plug (€249,99)This doorbell with a built-in camera records in 4K resolution, offers up to 10x zoom, night vision, and mobile notifications. It's the perfect addition to a smart home, integrating with Alexa and enabling routines when it detects movement or presence at the door.
For those who also look at prices outside of Spain, Echo Dot Max and Echo Studio have been announced in the United States at $99,99 and $219,99, respectively. respectively. These figures help to understand how the range is positioned in other markets, although in our country the prices and conditions specific to the local channel apply.
This is how they live together: music, home cinema, and a home that understands you
The great value of this generation lies in how the pieces fit together. An Echo Studio in the living room as a music and movie center, Several Echo Dot Max devices distributed for 3D sound with Fire TVAnd an Echo Show 8 or 11 screen in the kitchen or office for video calls, recipes, and visual home control. All powered by Alexa, with smart automations that Omnisense activates when needed.
If you like to experiment, there's room to grow: from pairing two Echo Studios in stereo for a wider soundstage, to adding the Echo Show as a notification and video call hub. With Matter and Thread, more and more devices are “speaking the same language”so the ecosystem grows without tangled bridges or strange configurations.
The big breakthrough is yet to come: Alexa+. With the AZ3 and AZ3 Pro chips ready to accelerate language and vision models, An assistant is expected who speaks and understands better, is proactive and contextual.and that it moves some of that processing to the device itself. The foundations are already in place; all that's left is for the service to be switched on in Spain.
The overall feeling of the range is one of maturity. Echo Studio competes unapologetically for sound quality in a very compact size; the Echo Dot Max, finally, “sounds like a big speaker” despite its compact shape; and the Echo Show regains ground in image and audio to be more than just a screen with Alexa: now they are more well-rounded multimedia devices.
To complete the circle, the practical detail is not forgotten: Adjustable bases to fine-tune the angle of the show for €39,99Thinner microphones in the Dot Max, a more expressive light ring in the Studio, and a native home automation platform that eliminates the need for bridges. Small things that, together, make everyday life more comfortable.
Anyone looking for a music speaker, a living room entertainment center, or a smart home panel will find well-equipped options in this family. Improved sound, revamped design, more capable chips, and standard home automation compatibility These are the four pillars on which these Echo devices are based, while Alexa+ is gearing up for a new stage for the assistant in Spain.
