Sound QualityThe Google Nest Audio has Good overall sound quality. The unit is monophonic. Bass has decent impact but is a touch boomy and deep bass is lacking. Midrange is fairly even but is a bit hazy and grainy. Treble is a bit prominent, sizzly and a bit smeared and upper treble is muted. Does a so so job of recovering room ambience, is a bit congested, and lacking in detail. Individual instruments and voices can be identified, but have a two dimensional quality. There was no significant difference between Wifi and Bluetooth sound quality. Provides a decent volume level in a medium sized room. Can be combined with a second unit to form a stereo pair. As a stereo pair they can be placed to provide better stereo separation than many other models.
Versatility
Versatility is very good. It's a monophonic speaker, with multi-room support support and can stereo pair with another Google Nest Audio. Wireless: WiFi supports dual-band and this unit has Bluetooth and can output to another speaker but lacks speakerphone functionality. Communications: Has support for calling and messaging, but lacks SMS texting capbability. Digital Assistant Muting: Has a dedicated switch to disable the digital assistant by muting its microphones. Audio Connections: Lacks analog audio input and outputs. Audio Tailoring: Has treble and bass controls. OS Support: Android and iOS. Other connections and features: Lacks a USB device port. Streaming by voice command: Supports voice command of many common streaming services such as Amazon Music, Apple Music, Google-Play Music, Pandora, Spotify, Tune-In, 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 Google Nest Audio is very good. Wireless setup: Setup requires an app downloaded to a mobile device, easy and intuitive - need instructions which were included in app, may or may not involve inputting WiFi network password and account setups. Console controls: Volume controls are unlabeled touch surface areas on the left and right on the top of the unit. Audio mute: Unlabeled play/pause function, well placed, but lacking indication when engaged. Microphone mute: Well marked, but not well placed (behind unit) and provides clear indication when it is engaged. Source selections: Requires app to be installed, app installation is straight forward. Once app is installed switching between streaming sources requires selecting the - cast- icon in a 3rd party supported app. Fairly intuitive but subject to 3rd Party implimentation of cast selection. App remote: Mute: Dedicated control but the marking is not the most obvious, clear indication when it is engaged. Voice transport controls: Natural language control of transport (Play/Pause/Skip/Mute), volume controls and source selection was easy and intuitive.
