Sound QualityThe Google Nest Hub Max has overall good sound quality. Bass has good impact but is somewhat boomy, a bit prominent and deep bass is lacking; whatever, deeper bass notes that it can produce sound distorted (choked off). Midrange is a bit hazy, thin and somewhat grainy. Treble is fairly extended but is a bit prominent and sizzly. Does a decent job of recovering room ambience and is somewhat congested. There is no significant difference between Wifi and Bluetooth sound quality except that with Bluetooth upper treble is muted. Can provide enough volume to fill a small room but is best suited for near field listening. When streaming videos with multichannel soundtracks the soundfield is wider and taller.
Versatility
Versatility is very good. It's a stereo speaker, with multi-room support. 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 support for texting. Digital Assistant Muting: Has a dedicated switch to disable the digital assistant by muting its microphones. There is no manual disable of the video camera. 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. Display: Has a touchscreen information display. Streaming by voice command: Supports voice command of many common streaming services such as 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 Hub Max is very good. Wireless setup: Setup requires an app downloaded to a device or device connection, easy and intuitive - need instructions (may be included in app), may or may not involve inputting WiFi network password, account setups. Console controls: Volume control buttons are on the rear of unit and are unlabeled, best control is verbal, 2nd is touch screen control after swiping up. Audio Mute: Well marked, not prominently placed, but has non-persistent indication on unit when muting is engaged. Microphone mute: Unmarked, not well placed with clear indication when it is engaged. Source selections: Requires app to be installed, app installation is straight forward. Once app is installed switching between inputs requires selecting the -cast- icon in a 3rd party supported app. Fairly intuitive but subject to 3rd Party implimentation of cast selection. App remote: Volume control not available until after content is playing. Mute: (Remote) 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.
