Missing more than that. Amazon is launching its true wireless headphones, the Echo Buds. The web giant is thus further implementing its personal assistant Alexa in our everyday lives. So the Echo Buds allow them to summon it at any time, which makes them unique. Can we trust Amazon over Sony, JBL, Jabra, Bose or other big mobile audio brands to add music to our releases? Tested for 20 minutes, these headphones were sold for 119 euros.
Amazon’s Echo Buds, sold from 119 euros. – AMAZON
The Alexa ecosystem is only going from strength to strength
In fact, the Echo Buds are nothing new. A first generation of these true wireless headphones in in-ear format was launched in the USA in 2021. Here we are dealing with a “V2”. Available in black or white, Amazon headphones don’t necessarily shine with the originality of their design. Supplied in a classic storage/charging case, they assert themselves with a certain opulence and roundness of great classics. Pairing them in Bluetooth 5.0 means going through the Alexa app and adding them as the first or new product in your “Echo” system of Amazon devices.
Touch and voice commands
Through the application it is possible to test the different tips supplied with the headphones (four sizes offered), change the mapping of the touch controls, take advantage of a fairly minimalist equalizer (bass, middle, treble) or start reducing noise or switch to surround mode. These last two features can also be activated by a long press on the headphones’ touch surface. Alternative (this is your chance to try it!): Ask Alexa to take care of it. And it works pretty well! “Alexa, turn on noise canceling!” »
Those who are used to living with Amazon’s assistants will find the Echo Buds a real optimization of the functions of their favorite roommate. This makes it easy to play music, set a reminder, access your calendar (Android or iOS), control connected items, and make calls with other people who have an Echo device. Without forgetting the eternal questions that we can ask her… and to which she doesn’t always have an answer. For example: “Alexa, who will be the next President of the Republic?” “. Saying “Alexa…” in the middle of the street seemed a bit inappropriate to us at first, only to eventually become almost natural with spontaneous interactions.
Minimal noise reduction service
For its part, the listening that the Echo Buds offer is quite unique. With Amazon headphones, one can criticize the dominance of highs and high mids. However, their amplified presence doesn’t mask a fairly solid bass. So overall the sound is clear, just as airy, but textured and well structured. However, fans of ringing and stumbling bass will have their way.
Amazon’s Echo Buds deliver 5-6 hours of battery life per charge. – AMAZON
On the other hand, the quality of noise reduction remains very relative here. The Echo Buds just manage to silence some ambient noise. In a way, a minimal service… High of course, the noise of our fingers pounding on the keyboard of our computer has not even been reduced… For its part, the Surrounding mode that allows us to remain aware of the noises that listening to music (practicing in the middle of the street!) is quite effective. However, be careful: in windy weather, the effects are terrible. The roar of the wind amplifies, any attempt to listen becomes disastrous.
Sport and health in harmony
Note that Amazon offers a “workout” feature with its Echo Buds. If you’re careful to enter your age and weight in the Alexa application settings, the headphones will take care of counting steps, calories, average pace, distance traveled… with a rather worrying reliability compared to that of our activated Apple Watch in parallel: The observed results were similar. The Echo Buds are waterproof (IPX4 standard) and therefore seem quite suitable for sports use, but with an ultimately tight autonomy: 5 hours with noise cancellation activated, 6 hours without.
Selling for €119 (with wired charging case) and €139 (wired and induction), Amazon’s Echo Buds offer honest service but with some needed improvements. A better tonal balance, but above all a noise reduction that needs to be reworked, remain controversial points. Assistant Alexa finds a real reason for being here, a new way for her parents to get even closer to us.