• TWEAK
• Smart home
• Speaker

Google Nest Audio

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Specifications of Google Nest Audio

• Weights and Measures
• Height: 175 mm
• Width: 124 mm
• Depth: 78 mm
• Power cable: 1.5 m
• Unit weight: 1.2 kg (without the external power adapter)
• Connection options
• 802.11b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz/5GHz) Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth® 5.0
• Built-in Chromecast
• Loudspeakers and microphones
• 75 mm woofer and 19 mm tweeter
• 3 microphones with large listening area
• Two-step switch that mutes the microphone (hardware button)
• Technology
• Built-in Google Assistant
• Voice Match technology
• Sensors
• Capacitive control by touch (3 touch areas)
• 3 microphones with large listening area
• Processor: Quad Core A53 1.8 GHz
• Engine of high performance machine learning hardware
• Supported operating systems for the Home app
• Android
• iOS

If you are familiar with Google speakers, then there is not much new with Nest Audio. The main focus is the new size and improved sound.

A tour around Google Nest Audio

When Google acquired Nest a few years ago, all their Smart Home devices were put under the Nest name. Nest Audio is the replacement for the previous large Smart Home speaker from Google, which was simply called Google Home.

There is also the option of the small Nest Mini, if you don't want the big one on the shelf, or just mostly need the Google Assistant functionality.

The design has changed a lot since the old Google Home speaker. It is, however, in my opinion, definitely an improvement. Nest Audio is available in two colors, the light Chalk and the dark Charcoal, which we received for testing. There are also other colours, but they are not officially sold here, but can be found on some websites.

The design of Nest Audio is nicely subdued, and will likely blend nicely into most homes. The 17.5 cm high rectangle is covered with a fabric material all around, and feels good and solid with the weight of just over a kilo.

Hidden under the fabric on the front are four status lights in the same style that you also see on top of the Nest Mini unit. They light up when you use things like the Google Assistant function or adjust the volume.

The Nest Audio has three touch fields on the top that can be used to control media playback. Pressing the middle will start or stop the media, while pressing the sides will turn the volume up or down. On the back, there is a toggle button to disable the microphone if you don't want to use voice control.

The Nest Audio is set up through the Google Home app, which is straightforward and easy to use. The Quad Core A53 1.8 GHz processor in the device is used in combination with Google's Smart Home services. The Google Home app also keeps the Nest Audio updated with new features or security updates.

Voice control is available with the "Hey Google" command, and the Google Home app can be used to control a large part of the device's functions. It is also possible to pair two Nest Audio units for stereo sound, or create speaker groups with other supported devices. The app can also be used to control media playback on multiple speakers, add or remove speakers, and adjust the volume of individual devices.

Finally, Nest Audio can be used as an entry point for all the other Google Smart Home functions that can be controlled by voice.

The Nest Audio unit I have placed in the living room allows me to control lights, switches, and even a robotic lawnmower with my voice. Although we are still lagging behind with Google Home functions in Danish, we are now quite adept at using them. With a simple command, I can turn off lights and other devices when I go to bed or turn them on when I wake up.

The Nest Audio has replaced my old Google Home speaker and the Google Home functions remain unchanged. The biggest upgrade is the sound quality, which is much louder and has more bass than the old Google Home speaker. The Nest Audio is able to play 75% louder and has 50% more bass than the Google Home speaker. The sound has a clear separation between high and mid tones, and both are supported by a strong bass.

Voice control with Nest Audio is sometimes hit or miss. I'm not sure what is decisive, but it usually works well when I'm close to the device. The Nest Audio is currently available online for around 450.

The Nest Audio is a solid and well-performing Smart Speaker that can deliver satisfactory sound for many. It may not be enough for audiophiles, but it is not intended for that audience anyway.

I love listening to music on a large system with separate speakers and subwoofer, but I also enjoy having easy access to music around the home when I want to listen to music in the background while doing other activities.

When it can also act as a control point for Smart Home devices and be controlled by voice, then that solution is a winner nine times out of ten in everyday life.

Nest Audio has a good sound boost, and is currently the best Nest sound available on the market. When it can be obtained for less than 500 kroner, it is a sure winner in my book.

We end up with a final grade of 9 and a Great Product Award for a delicious, functional and affordable product.

Pros:

• Good integration with Google Home
• Reasonable sound for the size
• Good price

Cons:

• Nothing noteworthy