My father grew up with those big old European radios with the dials that were like BERLIN ... ROME ... BUCHAREST ... and as long as the atmosphere and the authorities cooperated, you could always find something to listen to. After immigrating to the US he recreated that experience with a shortwave radio and then a succession of internet radios, but now his gear is breaking or being bricked at just the point in his life when he can't seek out repairs or workarounds. I got him the Echo on a whim and he is delighted. He is mainly (perhaps exclusively) using it to listen to CBC Music, and I'm thrilled that he again has something to listen to other than cable news.

The sound quality isn't ever going to match the now-dormant Bang & Olufsen system gathering dust, but for a device of this size, it is remarkable. This is my first experience with a smart speaker too and I'm a little perplexed that the voice commands are less AI-y than one might have expected. I think you need to utter a precise phrase in order to bring in a radio station. For example, "Alexa, play Australian Broadcasting Corporation Classical" won't work; it has to be "Alexa, play ABC Classic One" or "Alexa, play ABC Classic Two." And listening to the CBC involved verbally navigating a hierarchy that I can't quite remember now, but it makes the difference between pulling in a local on-air station or a national internet station. This may have something to do with "Alexa skills," which I haven't fully comprehended yet. Is, for example, CBC a "skill" and the CBC's various feeds fall beneath this skill? And if so, what is the correct way to activate them?

So, I have some learning to do, but in the meantime the Pop has been a smashing success in bringing music back into my father's house.

I wanted a smart speaker for my bathroom. I have horrible ADHD, and have issues with time management, especially in the shower. I bought it for that specific need, but music in the shower is nice, and the convenience of not lugging a bluetooth speaker all over was tempting. I bought this during the holidays when it was on sale for $18. Best $18 I've ever spent. As of this writing, it is on sale for $25, which is not bad at all.

For the size and the price, especially if you buy it on sale, it's a no brainer. All the functionality of an Echo speaker in half the size, and at a perfectly reasonable price. It's not audiophile sound, but it sounds great especially for its size. I have an Echo Show 5th Gen. I'd say it's a notch below in terms of quality, but honestly not by much. I used to have a Google Home speaker, and the Echo Pop certainly kicks the crap out of that thing.

The speaker truly has helped with its intended purpose. No more being late for work from daydreaming in the shower. Setup was incredibly easy. This technology has made many aspects of my life a lot easier. Plus, jamming out in the shower is a great way to start the day. This was a good purchase. I'm very happy with this little guy.

I purchased the Amazon Echo Pop and have been thoroughly impressed with its performance. Firstly, its compact size makes it perfect for any room in the house without taking up too much space. Despite its small footprint, the audio quality is excellent, delivering crisp and clear sound that fills the room.

One minor downside, however, is the volume limit. While the audio quality is great, I found myself wishing for a bit more power in terms of volume, especially for larger rooms or outdoor use. It's not a deal-breaker by any means, but it's worth noting for those who like to crank up the tunes.

Overall, I'm very satisfied with the Amazon Echo Pop. Its combination of compact design and impressive audio quality makes it a great addition to any home, though some users may find the volume limitation to be a drawback. I would still highly recommend it to anyone looking for a stylish and capable smart speaker.

I recently added the Echo Pop Bluetooth Speaker to my collection of audio devices, and I must say it has quickly become a favorite for its impressive performance and portability.

First and foremost, the sound quality of this compact speaker is outstanding. Despite its small size, the Echo Pop delivers rich and clear audio with surprisingly deep bass. The well-balanced sound profile ensures a pleasant listening experience across various genres, making it a versatile choice for any occasion.

The Bluetooth connectivity is seamless and hassle-free. Pairing my devices with the Echo Pop is a breeze, and the connection remains stable even at a distance. The wireless capability adds a level of convenience, allowing me to control my music from a distance without being tethered to the speaker.

I'm particularly impressed with the battery life of the Echo Pop. It boasts an impressive playtime on a single charge, making it a reliable companion for outdoor activities, picnics, or just a day at the beach. The quick-charging feature is a bonus, ensuring that I spend more time enjoying music and less time waiting for the speaker to recharge.

The compact and sleek design of the Echo Pop makes it easy to carry anywhere. The build quality is robust, and the speaker feels durable enough to withstand the rigors of daily use. The touch-sensitive controls add a modern touch, allowing for easy adjustments to volume and playback with a simple tap.

Another standout feature is the water-resistant design. This has proven to be a game-changer for poolside lounging and outdoor gatherings. The Echo Pop's ability to withstand splashes and light rain ensures that the party can go on, even if the weather doesn't cooperate.

The Echo Pop also comes with a built-in microphone, turning it into a convenient speakerphone for hands-free calls. The call quality is surprisingly clear, and the hands-free functionality adds an extra layer of utility to this already versatile device.

In conclusion, the Echo Pop Bluetooth Speaker has exceeded my expectations in terms of sound quality, portability, and durability. Whether I'm at home, on the go, or enjoying outdoor activities, this compact powerhouse of sound has proven to be a reliable and stylish companion. If you're in the market for a feature-packed Bluetooth speaker that punches above its weight, the Echo Pop is an excellent choice.

So earlier I wrote a nasty review below with one star. I then left feedback directly through my Alexa echo that was just about as nasty. A support rep reached out by phone the next day as a result and then sent me an email with instructions how to resolve problem below. I should have just asked for help before losing it lol. But thin skin these days like a lot of us dealing with issues in world right now. Anyway problem is fixed and wanted to give a big shout out to the support team for their quick help and having to deal with me! 😌

Orig Feedback
At some point I had about 50 different devices associated with insteon. That company went out of business and then came back but logins don't work anymore etc... I made the unfortunate mistake sometime back of linking Alexa to insteon. Alexa is too stupid to completely unlink from the app on their end. I can delete one by one each of the 50 devices but every time I want to add a new device it auto discovers all of them again. And then tells me to fully unlink I need to also go to the manufacturer site which is not possible. Without being able to go back to the manufacturer insteon and complete the unlinking from there side they will never go away. This is making the experience, the management of devices, and the display of devices a big sloppy mess for my end. Used to be a website associated with Alexa but that's also gone. And clearly the app is only there for the most basic scenarios. So if you want to avoid my mistake it's simple don't buy Alexa. It's one of those situations where it works great until it absolutely takes a nosedive and doesn't for ever more. Probably has a lot to do with layoffs and lack of investments in this area which I heard is going the wrong direction AKA downhill for Alexa. I guess if people want it to turn on their Philips colored light in their bedroom more power to you. But if you want to use it as a more serious home automation tool ,whole house, then understand this type of limitation is devastating. Even my Google devices can be permanently unlinked without me having to go back to the manufacturer. But I've come to hate Google for similar reasons because they also are de-investing and now I have to deal with other problems including saying hey Google multiple times before it actually responds. So disappointed in these companies and this field of work. They both promised so much for the next decade and have woefully undelivered on those promises. Guess I will wait until a more AI capable unit becomes affordable because they are out there but not yet mainstream enough. Good luck everyone.