The Amazon Echo Dot has been called “an Amazon Echo without the speaker” for good reason. While it does have an internal speaker, which can technically be used for all audio output as if it were a full fledged Echo, you’re going to want to connect the Echo Dot to an external speaker if you plan to use it to listen to anything beyond Alexa’s voice, news briefs, podcasts, and audiobooks.
An external speaker connection can be achieved wirelessly via Bluetooth or wired through the 3.5mm audio jack on the back of the device. The issue around using the 3.5mm jack is that, when a 3.5mm cable is connected to the Echo Dot, the internal speaker is completely bypassed, whether or not your wired speakers are turned on. This means that, when using a wired connection, your wired speakers must be turned on if you ever want to use the Echo Dot. On the other hand, with Bluetooth speakers, the Echo Dot switches back to its internal speakers when the Bluetooth speakers are turned off. Even if the Bluetooth speakers are on, you have the flexibility to sever the connection hands-free by simply asking Alexa, so you can switch back to the internal speaker at will. If you have your heart set on using wired speakers with the Echo Dot, there are things you can do to make wired speakers a lot more convenient.
Connecting a cable to the 3.5mm audio jack on the back of the Echo Dot will completely disable the internal speaker. This includes all Alexa communication, and not just music output. The Echo Dot has no way to know if there is an active speaker on the other end, so it must assume there is one if you connect the 3.5mm cable. If you want to use the Echo Dot with wired speakers and still retain the option to communicate with Alexa while those speakers are off, you have three options. The first is the obvious one that probably doesn’t need to be mentioned, but for the sake of thoroughness, your first option is to pull out the 3.5mm cable anytime you want to use the Echo Dot’s internal speaker. This is obviously not ideal, so let’s move on.
Your second option is to connect a Bluetooth Audio Receiver to your wired speakers and connect the Echo Dot to the receiver wirelessly via Bluetooth. This way, anytime you want to switch from using your wired speakers to using the Echo Dot’s internal speaker, all you have to do is say “Alexa, disconnect Bluetooth.” This command will work whether or not your wired speakers are on. Then, when you want to switch back to your wired speakers, simply say “Alexa, connect Bluetooth” and you’re back to listing to your Echo Dot through your wired speakers.
Your third option is to use a Bluetooth speaker in addition to your wired speakers. If the Echo Dot is connected to both wired speakers via the 3.5mm jack and a Bluetooth speaker simultaneously, all audio will go through the Bluetooth speaker. This means that, when you want to switch to using your wired speakers, all you need to do is say “Alexa, disconnect Bluetooth” and the Echo Dot will begin piping audio through the already connected 3.5mm cable. If your wired speakers are off or inaccessible, you can switch back to using the Bluetooth speaker by saying “Alexa, connect Bluetooth.” This option is essentially replacing the Echo Dot’s internal speaker with a Bluetooth speaker. Even the most basic Bluetooth speaker will likely sound better than the Echo Dot’s internal speaker, so there’s that added advantage to going this route.
The fact that the Echo Dot is capable of switching from a Bluetooth audio connection to a wired audio connection via a verbal command is good news. This likely means that it’s possible for a future software update to add the ability to switch between the internal speaker and a wired speaker via a voice command. Until that day comes, doing the Bluetooth shuffle described above is your only option to using the Echo Dot with wired speakers that are turned off.
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I am amazed how good the speaker is in the Dot. While not stereo it is good enough to play my soft music at night without waking everybody in the house. At that low level it doesn’t matter to me if it is stereo or not. I love to go to sleep listening to my music. I am very happy with both the Dot and Tap.
Why don’t you marry it?
Because he’s sleeping with your wife and mom Dirk.
Better he be sleeping than having sex with them.
What a total cunt
You better get used to using an external speaker soon bub, because the Dot has a fairly long history of the power board driving that puny speaker frying. BEWARE Echo Dot Buyers!! Greedy b@stards Amazon ONLY gives a 90 day Warranty on new Echo Dot’s, so NO Audio Output when it frys and no where to buy a board to fix it!! Mine did after only 5 months and 28 days, Amazon said tough luck pal, buy another one!
Is there a way to have music play from the Echo Dot and a Bluetooth speaker at the same time?
With reference to your last comment about a possible software upgrade to allow you to switch between the internal speaker and a wired speaker. I wonder if this is hardwired and not possible. It could be that when inserting the hard-wired plug, it physically disconnects the internal speaker. This is a common design on a lot of products. We’ll need a tear-down to confirm.
Keep up the great work. I follow this feed every day.
This is a good point.
Overall, though, I think not being able to have separate “streams” of audio for the Dot’s internal speaker and audio-out jack is a grave mistake. At a minimum the user should be able to configure (maybe as an “Advanced” option) which speaker is used for the Alexa voice and which speaker is used for media playback.
I don’t want to have to have my receiver on and set to the Dot input all the time in order to use my Dot. Good thing I have a couple of cheap BT receiver dongles I can add to my receiver, I guess.
That’s a great point. I didn’t include it in the article because I wrongfully assumed that being able to play audio via Bluetooth while a wired speaker was connected meant the device had full control over where audio was being sent, but the physical bypass of the internal speaker could still be a possibility.
I did some further testing that backs the theory that the audio jack physically disconnects the internal speaker when a 3.5mm cable is present. If you play music through the internal speaker and then connect a wired external speaker, the music instantly switches to the external speaker. Then, if you disconnect the external speaker, the music instantly switches back to the internal speaker. There is zero delay in both instances, which makes me think it is a physical bypass since a software bypass would likely have a perceptible delay before making the switch. Similar to how there is a slight delay between pulling out headphones on a smartphone and the audio being paused.
Makes sense to me. that’s exactly what a jack does. As soon as I get my new bluetooth charges and ready
I’m hoping it will have the range to run as far away as my work shop. Maybe 30 or 40 feet. That way I can run the jacked speaker inside and the blue tooth when in my shop requiring only one Echo Dot. I’m loven my dot btw. What rush to play london phile harmonic in my shop. LOL Who we kidding here? The biggy about the the Echo dot is the radio access all over the world. Try WMAL Chris Plante in the mornings. He’s blow-your-mind funny and intelligent.
It’s called a “normalled” connection. It’s very common. I’d expect that to be the case with the Dot. In such an audio jack, inserting the plug breaks the normal connection. In this case, that would be the internal speaker. You are correct. A tear down would confirm this.
Just to clarify, when you say “wired speakers” does that mean that the cable from the 3.5 mm audio jack can hook up directly to speakers or plug into an a/v amp’s audio input jacks?
Yes.
It an A or B question. :-)
I don’t own an Echo Dot yet, but a 3.5mm output is almost always line-level and will require powered speakers or an amplified sound system. It definitely will not be able to drive larger home speakers.
There are some passive (non-powered) speakers available with 3.5mm plugs, usually cheaper computer speakers, but in my experience they are fairly weak.
A new revision has been announced and comes out soon in Europe. Hopefully this over sign of physical connection has been addressed.
Great writeup I was looking for this exact info before hooking up to an amp which i rarely turn on.
T
The Dot puts out line-level audio. It may drive a set of headphones to some degree but is not powerfule enough to directly drive a loudspeaker.
I picked up a pair of Mackie CR 5 BT. They are monitor type speakers, made to hook up to a computer, but they have built in bluetooth. They sound amazing and work great with the echo dot. When I turn them on, the dot will connect and pump audio through them. When I turn them off, the dot switches back to it’s internal speaker seamlessly. The other interesting thing is that these speakers will support multiple inputs at once. I have them plugged in with a line out to my PC. So I get PC sound through them, and if I ask Alexa something, I get her voice through them as well (via bluetooth)
See them here:
http://www.amazon.com/Mackie-CR5BT-Channel-Studio-Monitor/dp/B015U623MQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1459529245&sr=8-1&keywords=cr5bt
Do all these Bluetooth speakers go into sleep mode or shut down after a period of inactivity? Seems to defeat the purpose of the hands-free thing if you have to manually turn on a speaker.
Am I missing something here?
I was wondering the same thing. Can Alexia turn on and off the blue tooth speaker.?
A lot of the speakers that turn off automatically are meant to be portable (sleep saves battery life). Look for bluetooth speakers that can be or must be plugged in, those are more likely to have “always on” options.
Or you can get regular speakers and use a bluetooth adapter. A decent pair of inexpensive computer speakers works great for this. Just plug their input into the bluetooth adapter and pair to that.
With always on speakers you can use a smart outlet to turn them on and off with Alexa.
I want to buy something for listening music.But i cant use the phone.So i want alexa for it.I have hp’s 10 $ speakers.Which device i need to buy(tap-dot)? I will just listen music.(spotify pandora vs)Is amazon dot speakers enough for me.If i buy i will use it on my room.And room is quiet.Sorry for my bad English:D
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We’re using 3.5mm Stereo Splitter in our DOT. Always on is a small pipe speaker that sits under our TV screen. Then If our receiver is off or on a different input, we can still hear the echo responses through the pipe speaker. When we change the receiver input, the larger speakers over power the smaller pipe speaker. If needed, we can turn the volume down on the pipe speaker, with it’s included remote, but that really doesn’t seem to be an issue.
Averial. Pipe speaker? I’m not familiar with the term. Also, are you using any kind of mini amp to drive that speaker?
I do think that Amazon’s engineers really screwed up on the audio out for the Dot. One of the most obvious use cases is to hook to a proper with multiple inputs. The Dot doesn’t seem designed to support that at all.
The AmazonBasics Bluetooth 4.0 Audio Receiver that you linked will not work for this purpose. I just bought it for use with my Dot and when Alexa disconnects, the AmazonBasics unit automatically reconnects within seconds. This is a “feature.” I am looking now for a similar device that will stay disconnected until I ask Alexa to reconnect. Anyone have input, Let me know please :)
Really look forward to hear if someone gets a Bluetooth audio receiver that works with the DOT. The issue is so many units don’t allow constant AC plug-in. Those who do are similar to Amazon in they will auto-reconnect any lost bluetooth connections which is what Nate is running into. I checked out http://www.amazon.com/HomeSpot-NFC-Enabled-Bluetooth-Receiver-System/dp/B009OBCAW2?ie=UTF8&keywords=blue%20tooth%20receiver%20for%20stereo%20system&qid=1459839650&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1 and in the notes it has the same auto-reconnect problem.
Well darn — I just bought (but not yet received) that very one as a replacement! Someone on the Echo forum on Reddit said he was using it with a Dot without that problem. The only thing I saw was that it will reconnect when it powers-up. I guess I will know by tomorrow (4/6/16)
I have the same problem you describe while trying to use Logitech 980-000910 Bluetooth Audio Adapter for Bluetooth Streaming. I can tell Alexa to disconnect, but the BT adapter simply reconnects itself after a few seconds. I wish to switch between a wired connection (to which I have some powered Bose speakers connected) and a BT connection to my stereo receiver (which doesn’t have built in BT). My only solution with the Logitech adapter mentioned is to physically unplug the device when I want to disconnect it, then plug it back in when I want to use it again. Not ideal.
oh no! I just bought the Logitech Bluetooth Audio Adapter to use with my Onkyo receiver (so I could remove the RCA cable between the Echo Dot and my Onkyo). I was hoping that the Echo would then use its internal speaker and not put audio to the Onkyo when the Onkyo is off.
From what you are saying, if I ask Echo to disconnect from ‘Onkyo'(the bluetooth connection once I remove the RCA cable) it will reconnect to the Onkyo? Guess, I will find out tomorrow. That will be disappointing.
I picked up a TaoTronics bluetooth audio adapter from Amazon, and it seems to stay disconnected ok. Perhaps this is a case where “cheaper and dumber” is actually a plus? ;)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IV1H1ME/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Exactly what I am looking for. Have you found a Bluetooth audio receiver without an automatic reconnect feature yet? I’m struggling to find one.
Look forward to hear what you find Nate
I ended up getting the “HomeSpot NFC-Enabled Bluetooth Audio Receiver for Sound System” and it works exactly as desired — I tell Alexa to disconnect and it will use the internal speaker until I tell her to connect. Perfect! The AmazonBasics unit is going back.
Nate thank you SO much for posting the outcome. Just ordered. Really appreciate the info.
I want to buy echo dot. I was wondering if I can use cell phone headset.
I want to use it privately in the office without disturbing others.
Would it be possible?
OK…Maybe I can get some help here. I can’t believe i’m the first one with this need but I have not found anything online thats helping me out.
Simple issue: I want to be able to play music in different rooms from the echo. For example, I dont want to blast the music in the kitchen in order to listen to it on the deck outside or I would like to play music i my garage and not subject the whole house to the music.
Thoughts?
Thanks
You have to use an AV Receiver with switch zone music capabilities, the receiver will swicth to the desired area, in order to control it from alexa, your best bet is have a harmony hub control which is connected to wi-fi and controls the receiver and will control the input switch, and as well other devices if you want to add, then set up alexa with Harmony skill, (Ex Alexa, turn on zone music 1), in my house I don’t have a receiver but I use an integrated amplifier with input switching, so I use commands like “Alexa, turn on Netflix”, then Alexa turn on my amplifier, the tv, roku, then puts the tv in the correct HDMI input and the amp in the correct sound input and finally puts Netflix channel on roku, all this with 1 command thanks to the harmony connection.
The solution I am giving you is for a wired connection in different zones at house, it may be more complicated by Bluetooth connection.
Plus I prefer wired since it gives the best audio quality.
I followed the steps in this article to connect the Dot, through a bluetooth receiver, to outdoor speakers. The connection was successfully made, and I can work through the “turn off/turn on” Dot speaker issue. The problem that I am having is that volume is too low on the outdoor speakers, even when I turn the volume on the dot to its maximum level. There is no volume control on the outdoor speakers. Any suggestions?
The audio output on the Dot is not amplified much. You’d need powered speakers (a/c plug). The fact that yours don’t have a volume control indicates that they are likely not powered. Even bluetooth speakers have batteries for this reason.
Charles. Just started using Dot. Maybe just verbally requesting Alex’s to “increase volume.”
I have boosted the volume on the dot itself to its full capacity. Still, too quiet coming out of the speakers.
Hi I don’t see this asked so its probably a given and the answer is no. I have a dot and I have it hooked up to small little amp connected to some decent speakers in my kitchen. This way I can play some music and get some good sound out of it. I had the echo and returned it because I wanted a line out for better speakers. Anyway to my question, if I get Bluetooth speakers for my living room can I have both my 3.5MM output and the Bluetooth speakers play at the same time? This would be a huge plus to balance out my living room and kitchen
I would also like to use the wired speaker in addition to the bluetooth speaker. Have you had any luck setting that up?
I have an Onkyo Receiver that does not have bluetooth, and an Amazon Echo Dot.
I first connected the Amazon Echo directly (RCA cable) to the Onkyo:
Pros: I can use bluetooth on the Echo Dot at the same time to connect to my laptop to play itunes or amazon music, can’t do that if the echo is paired to Onkyo already using bluetooth.
Cons: the Echo stops using its internal speaker even when the Onkyo is off. When the Echo wants to speak it goes through the Onkyo even when playing music.
I used a Logitech BT device connected to the Onkyo to enable the Echo to connect to the Onkyo using Bluetooth. I stopped doing this because I found two major issues:
1. If you disconnect the bluetooth to the Onkyo on the Echo it reconnects in a few seconds. It automatically does this. So you’d have to forget the device then to use it again you’d have to pair it again. No way to stop the Echo automatically reconnecting if the Logitech BT device is live and paired.
So the Echo does not have enough configurability around bluetooth and the use of its internal speaker yet.
So I now connect the Echo Dot to my Onkyo Receiver using an RCA cable to the PC ports.
Thanks Lori. I have an older NON BT receiver and was wondering if you could then play Amazon music via the RCA jack? This receiver runs my entire home and several in ceiling speakers. I have a horrible Sirius connection from the receiver (and Sirius adapter) and it constantly cuts in and out. I would like to get rid of the Sirius all together and replace it with the dot if the functionality is similar and won’t be cutting in and out all the time. It sounds like this is how you are using it too, correct?
Yes the rca cable from echo dot to onkyo receiver allows me to play amazon music from the echo through the onkyo to my stereo speakers.
But of course all sound from the echo goes to the onkyo. So if you give the echo a command the response goes to the onkyo. Not great especially if the onkyo is off.
Was hoping the amazon dot would send its commands through its own speakers and music through the onkyo.
I have a whole house audio system I would like to use the dot to connect to, however the feed into that system is 2 floors below. I tried connecting the echo and the dot via Bluetooth and getting the audio to come through the dot with commands spoken to the echo which is on the main floor. This does not work. It seems that the dot will use the echo as an external speaker but not the other way around. Any suggestions?
I wonder if anyone has used a Bluetooth splitter with the dot in order to use multiple sound systems/speakers at the same time?
Does the new Amazon Echo Dot still suffer from this limitation?
Simply Jack in a nice pair of PC Speakers and leave it at that :-)
Can the dot and tap be connected to eachother
Its certain that the 3.5mm jack physically disconnects the internal speaker. If we could open up the Dot then it would be possible to bridge across the jack contacts so that the internal speaker’s on all the time. The problem with this is that the physical design may make this difficult to anyone without access to specialized equipment — these things are full of technology so the internal components are likely to be tiny and crammed together.
I’m probably like a lot of people, I want to not only use the Dot with an audio system but also control that system. My system is a vintage vacuum tube system so I can’t leave in on 24/7 and, anyway, you don’t really want to carry out a conversation with Alexa through a large stereo system. Hopefully the Mk3 Dot will have separate mute controls for the audio outputs….but for now we’re stuck with workarounds, the best being the splitter cable and additional speaker.
Has anyone tried this? — Leave the dot connected to a receiver and external speaker; also have a small bluetooth speaker nearby. When the receiver is off, ask Alexa to turn on bluetooth, connecting to the small speaker.
Never mind. I see that my question is answered in the main post. Not sure why I didn’t see that the first time around.
Hi. I have an Onkyo AV receiver with built in Bluetooth. I can connect a tablet no problem so I know the receiver’s Bluetooth is on and functioning. The Echo Dot does not ‘see’ the Onkyo in the Echo App and so, I cannot run my Echo Dot output through my receiver.
I am sure Google Home + Chromecast will do this.
Any ideas?
Tom,
Though the Onkyo’s Bluetooth is on and working, have you put it into a “discoverable” mode – my Dot did not see my Bluetooth devices for this reason. I’m running a Dot bluetooth’d to a Bose Solo 5 soundbar and we had the same problem.
Tom,
Had a similar problem with a Bose Solo 5 soundbar. Turned out that the Bose was not in “discoverable” mode – might be worth a check.
Couldn’t you technically have a receiver plugged into a WeMo switch and use ifttt to turn the receiver on when you arrive home, if you have the echo wired to a receiver? But the downside would be that you’d always have to change the input on the receiver to use echo, right?
I’ve just implemented the perfect solution! I used a BT adapter (the one listed in a previous thread), and connected its power supply to a Wemo controlled outlet. I created an activity on my harmony remote that turn the receiver on and select the appropriate input. I then enabled the harmony and Wemo skills in the Alexa app, created a group called “House Audio” and included the Wemo switch and the specific harmony activity. Now I can use Alexa with it built in speaker for basic duties and simply say “Alexa turn on House Audio”; the Wemo switch turns on, turning the BT adapter on and Alexa connect to BT automatically, while the receiver turns on and switch to the proper input. The same command replacing on by off, return everything back to its original state. Works like a charm!
Great idea! This may be the solution be been looking for. Thanks!
Can an Amazon dot pair with a Bluetooth speaker that need a password typing in before it can connect if so how do I do it.
No. Needs to be password (less) connectivity.
Lolo,
I have a BT receiver that is working for me but it does not auto reconnect if I pull the power to it. It sounds like yours does. Is this the specific BT receiver you use?
https://www.amazon.com/HomeSpot-NFC-Enabled-Bluetooth-Receiver-System/dp/B009OBCAW2
Yes, that’s the one. This one will auto reconnect when your power it back on.
Hi
Can you play music through BT and a wired device at the same time?
Thanks
Glynn
I would like to have audio out simultaneously on both audio out jack AND Bluetooth. But it seems it can only be one OR the other? Any hack to turn them BOTH on?
You could use a y-splitter from the audio jack to both your wired system and a bluetooth adapter.
Y-splitters are not a good idea. It would lower your impedance and possibly overload the output. It would be best to connect your Bluetooth adapter to an aux out of your receiver that passes the audio thru from the input.
Of course that would be preferable. But if you don’t have/want a receiver, just a couple pairs of powered speakers (inc. bluetooth), it should be fine. You’ll lose a negligible amount of volume level, but you can just bump up the speakers a bit to compensate.
Actually seems that this option doesn’t work.
I’ve bought a bluetooth receiver, but every time I say ‘Alexa disconnect bluetooth’, it automatically reconnects within seconds. So I have to manually turn off the receiver.
Anyone else had this?
I have recently gotten the Amazon Echo – I don’t have separate speakers and it’s perfect for the space and what I need it for. I am getting a Dot for my bedroom and understand that I will need Bluetooth speakers. Can anyone recommend something for under $50? Anything more and I could just get another echo.
Will I be able to move the speaker and pair to with my Echo?
Are the echo and dot connected? Use the same apps? If I start listening to music in 1 room, can I resume it in another
The article states “The Echo Dot has no way to know if there is an active speaker on the other end, so it must assume there is one if you connect the 3.5mm cable.” Regarding that statement, consider this: Echo Dot has an incredible microphone. Why can’t the Dot listen to itself, and in the case of the microphone returning zero of the audio Alexa is pushing out through a 3.5mm connection, switch over to its internal speaker? Of course, the answer is likely that the 3.5mm jack physically bypasses the internal speakers when it’s connected.
I understand that some amplifiers, due to signal processing, will add a degree of latency to their speaker output, and if combined with Echo Dot’s non-latent output from its internal speakers, a “slapback” delay effect could be induced. In these scenarios, the “Echo” would really live up to its name–just not in a positive way. Still, Amazon engineers have failed to provide the users with the option to keep the internal speakers on while a 3.5mm connection is present, and I do not see any other way to view this omission than as a bug.
I got the Echo Dot 2nd gen about an hour ago and successfully connected to my Onkyo receiver via Bluetooth (built into the receiver) and it was a snap to pair. Model TX-NR646
I was going to hard wire with the 3.5, but the sound is outstanding via Bluetooth. The Echo is only 15′ away from the receiver. “Alexa, play some “Tower of Power”, …..”Soul with a capital S” comes blasting through….love this.
Joe B, does your command to Echo Dot to play a song require the receiver to be on already or will it turn it on as well? If not, what setup do you have to power up the receiver (aside from hitting the power button on the remote)?
I just got the 646 and am looking to get Echo Dot (makes more sense then the full Echo since I’d be using my av receiver/speakers…right?).
Thx.
Yes, my receiver has to be on and set to Bluetooth. I am exploring Getting Harmony as an option to voice activate the Tv and receiver.
I have a Harmony Hub (wo/remote) linked to my Echo Dot via the Harmony Alexa skill. It works great for turning my home theater projector on and off, and controlling my air con. If your receiver has an IR remote it should work a treat with Harmony, but be aware it does not work with RF remotes. You can check Harmony device compatibility on Logitech website here:
Hmm, no way to edit or remove comments. The Logitech link: https://support.myharmony.com/en-us/compatibility
Thanks all. I actually just ordered the harmony hub (no remote) and echo dot 2 ( came in a bundle from Amazon for $129.99). I checked the harmony compatibility link and it appears to work with the 646.
Can you tell me how you connected it via BT? Thanks
Don’t forget to check your cable box compatibility too. My Verizon Fios uses an Arris Box which is on the Harmony compat list.
Yup did that. Xfinity X1 XG1-A box is compatible. Dot arrives Tuesday.
Where on the back of a Yamaha RX-7773 a/v receiver do I plug in?
Any open/unused input will work.
I have my echo dot hardwired to my amplifer and paired my Bluetooth Bose Mini II SoundLink. Is there a setting to have them both simultaneously play?
I have a Echo dot 2nd generation which I bluetooth to a pair of Q-Acoustics BT3 speakers, which are powered and have a built-in bluetooth receiver.
When using the Echo Dot with its volume turned up full and the volume on the Q-Acoustics turned up full (2 x 50 watts) the volume is not really loud enough. If I connect another device to the Q-Acoustics BT3 via bluetooth, for example my Nexus 7 tablet, the volume is much, much, louder (far too loud!) & i have to turn the speaker down to about 50% volume. Why does’t the Echo Dot produce the same volume from my Q Acoustics BT3 speakers & how can this be fixed ??
Not an answer I guess. But I have a av receiver between my echo dot and my speakers.
What happens if you connect the Bluetooth q acoustic speakers using an rca cable directly to the echo? If the sound level improves then it is a Bluetooth issue with the speakers. I see on amazon that people have complained that the q acoustics speaker’s Bluetooth doesn’t work properly…
I have an Amazon Dot 2nd Gen. I also have a Boze radio with great speakers. Can I somehow connect the DOT to the Boze by using a Bluetoth adapter? Boze and Dot are across the room from each other and I connect connect the conventional way.
I have a small jbl Bluetooth speaker that I use a lot in different rooms of the house it works great but I would love to have the option of using the built in mic on my jbl to command my dot. Has anyone been able to do this?
Hi. I purchased a Beoplay A1 to use with my Dot. The Bluetooth connects automatically, as soon as the speaker is turned on. The problem is, after 15mins of inactivity, the speaker powers off, to save battery power and the Dot reverts back to it’s own little speaker, but, it also does this when plugged into the charger, this means having to manually switch the speaker back on again when you need it. Contacted B & O to see if a software update could provide an option to keep the speaker on if required. Their reply was basically saying Amazon should send a signal of sorts to the speaker to keep it awake. I passed this onto Amazon, but nothing back yet.
I have been looking like crazy for an answer to a question that I have:
If want to be able to have the Echo Dot wired to my receiver SO what is the best way to have Echo turn on or off the different zones (or rooms)?
Would a remote controlled speaker selector controlled with Logitech Hub work good or do you have a better recommendation?
Thank you in advance.
I currently have my Echo Dot connected via line out to an older Cambridge model 88CD clock radio.
How does the line out on the Dot compare with the bluetooth output, in regards to sound quality? If the bluetooth is a better quality output, I could purchase a decent bluetooth receiver, and connect from that via audio cable to the Model 88.
Thank you.
Jim O, Here is what I recently did and it works fantastic. I bought a Harman Kardon HK 3770 2-Channel Stereo Receiver. The receiver has bluetooth already. What I do now is tell Alexa: “Tell Harmony (hub) to turn on speakers and it automatically turns on my receiver and plays music to it.
Bluetooth input sound sounds great. You will need a Harmany hub to send the command to your receiver
I connected a Jaxx Rave Max stereo BT speaker ($ 30) to my echo dot (2nd gen) and it played very well – better than built in speaker The best results were when I unpaired the BT and connected a 3.5 mm stereo cable directly……….
I have a TEAC subwoofer and speaker setup. Can I connect this to the Echo Dot? The speakers have one red and one white cable that plug into the subwoofer. Thanks!
You can connect any speaker setup you like to the Echo Dot, with the right adapter(s). Sounds like the subwoofer is the receiver in your setup. What inputs does it have? A single stereo jack (1/8″ or 1/4″), a pair of RCA jacks (red and white), or a TOSLINK (house-shaped glowy fiberoptic) would work.
OR you could tell us the model number of your speakers and we can help decipher it all for you. We’re here to help after all. ;)
Can two or three bluetooth speakers be connected simultaneously to the Echo Dot?
Not directly (as in “Alexa connect to bluetooth speakerS”). You could possibly use a headphone splitter for this, with multiple bluetooth adapters. Use one adapter as the input (paired with the Echo Dot), and the other adapters as the output (each paired with its own speaker). Messy, but serviceable.
Ok – well all this is fine but Amazon is still trying to promote it’s own agenda – as any business would. One, the BT receiver for mapping my own music to the Echo is great, and the command set is fine, as well as other music services. Two, The BT Transmitter to other BT speakers or a BT receiver plugged into a line input is also fine (using the for mentioned WEMO outlet solution in conjunction with the Harmon IR). But three, and this is the point – the ECHO cannot utilize it’s receiver separate from it’s transmitter (or am i wrong?). Meaning utilizing One with Two above allowing voice commands to access a off-line non-Amazon My Music storage with BT transmission to a secondary device. I believe that a good solution will come soon, that is a more “open” concept. Sonos connects to the ECHO and allows ECHO to process verbal commands but the Sonos also connects to the AV receiver as well, Sonos is the “hub” rather than ECHO driving it all
Here’s an idea. Just get the full size ECHO and forget the DOT if you want to play music. No having to fool around with speakers and blue tooth. I wish I would have done that for my second one. Big mistake. A few extra bucks and it would have been worth it.
I’m trying to connect echo via toslink to dacmagic with 3.5mm adapter. Doesn’t seem to like it. No sound.
Anyone have any idea.
Hi can I connect my echo dot to a Bluetooth headset,but then mute Alexa,my echo dot,but still hear you music through my connected headset? So no one else can hear any music