Sound QualityThe Amazon Echo Show 8 has Good overall sound quality. Bass has so-so impact, is somewhat tubby, and deep bass is lacking. Midrange is grainy, somewhat thin and hazy, and a bit echoey and congested. Treble is fairly extended but is prominent, sizzly, smeared, and can sound very strident on some program material. The echoey quality of the midrange tends to mask the natural room ambience of recordings, and the overall sound is a bit congested. There was no significant difference between WiFi and Bluetooth sound quality. Provides a decent volume level in a medium sized room.
Versatility
Versatility is excellent. It's a stereo speaker, with multi-room support. Wireless: WiFi supports dual-band and this unit has Bluetooth and can be paired with another Bluetooth speaker but lacks speakerphone functionality. Communications: Has support for calling and messaging - called "Drop In". Digital Assistant Muting: Has a dedicated button to disable the digital assistant by muting its microphones and video camera. Audio Connections: Lacks analog audio inputs but has an analog audio output. Audio Tailoring: Has user tone controls. OS Support: Android and iOS. Other connections and features: Lacks USB port. Display: Has a touchscreen information display. Streaming by voice command: Supports streaming by verbal command of an excellent number of services such as Amazon Music, Apple Music, Pandora, Spotify, Tune-In, and iHeart Radio. Voice ID: Supports voice identity - a feature which allows the account holder with their "voice print" to access personal information.
Ease of Use
Overall ease of use of the Amazon Echo Show 8 is very good. Wireless setup: Setup using iOS or Android device wireless connection, no app download needed for initial setup, steps start to finish that happen fairly quickly. Console controls: Volume controls are prominent +/- with graphical indicators of volume level which are non persistent and easily repeatable via verbal commands and easy to actuate. Also, generates a tone with respect to the level selected with discrete volume changes with the physical controls. Audio mute: Well marked, well placed, but no indication on unit when muting is engaged. Microphone/Video mute: Well marked, well placed, clear indication when it is engaged. Source selections: Requires app to be installed, app installation is straight forward. Once app is installed switching between wireless sources is fairly intuitive within the app. Can't select Bluetooth but Bluetooth can be connected by verbal command to previously paired device - ready to play. App remote: Volume control symbol, then volume slider, lacks index markings so not easily repeatable, but easy to actuate. Shown for currently playing streamed WiFi music. Mute: (Remote) Well marked, well placed, clear indication when it is engaged and mutes the line input. Voice transport controls: Natural language control of transport (Play/Pause/Skip/Mute), volume controls and source selection was easy and intuitive.
