Google Nest Audio Overview

Google Nest Audio is the successor to the original Google Home. The new Nest Audio boasts being 75 percent louder and features bass that is 50 percent louder than its predecessor, the Nest Audio claims to deliver excellent sound. It hosts a 19mm (3/4”) tweeter for hitting those high-frequency notes and sports a 75mm (3”) mid-woofer that should give the sound a satisfying weight and warmth. On paper, the Nest Audio sounds like a great device.

The Google Nest Audio is much more than just a speaker. While one Nest Audio device is able to provide you with quality sound, you can set up two of these devices together as well, which then become a stereo pair with left and right channel separation. You also have the option of grouping Nest Audio with other Nest devices. These devices include the Google Nest Mini or the Nest Hub Max. You can also link your TV via a Chromecast to get sound that you can hear from any part of your house.

 

Included in The Box

• Google Nest Audio
• Power adapter
• Documentation bundle

Enter the Google Nest Audio

A cool thing about the Google Nest Audio is that it is designed with sustainability in mind. The main unit is coated in a durable fabric top that is made entirely from recycled plastic bottles. The enclosure of the speaker that includes parts such as the fabric, housing, foot, and a couple of other smaller parts, is made from 70 percent recycled plastic. Living in a time when environmental concerns are so important, I instantly gave Google a point for being mindful about their packaging. A little effort goes a long way, and if other companies follow Google’s footsteps, I’m sure they can play some part in reducing their carbon footprint.

 

The Nest Audio comes in a variety of colors. I was sent the device in sage and I absolutely loved the shade. Its body is as minimal as it gets with nothing but the mute button on its back, the Google logo under the button, and the power adapter socket on the bottom right. The fabric comes off as sophisticated and gives off quite a classy vibe. The material is fine and the body is tough and robust. I liked how the company decided to keep things minimal by not crowding the body with a number of controls. There are three zones for capacitive touch controls on the body of the Nest Audio. The center of the device handles play/pause. Tapping the left side turns the volume down and tapping the right side turns it up. The controls aren’t just strategically designed but are also very responsive. The body is quite sensitive to touch and takes only a few milliseconds to accurately respond to your demand.

 

Set Up and Pairing

In order to successfully set the Nest Audio up, you are first supposed to download the latest version of the Google Home app that is available on both iOS and Android. Then you are supposed to remove the speaker out of the box and place it in a relatively open area. Make sure to place the speaker in such a way that its front is facing you. You’re then required to connect the power cord to the Nest Audio and plug the device into a power source. Once you’ve done that, open your Google Home app. On the top of your screen, you’ll see a notification that says, “Set up Nest Audio.” Tap that. If you have multiple houses connected to your Google Account, it’ll require you to pick a home. If that isn’t the case, the app will search will Google Nest devices that are nearby. Select the Nest Audio device when it appears on your device and then tap “next.” The app will connect to the device.

 

The setup process wasn’t exactly the smoothest. It took quite a while for the speakers to pair. Even though the speakers were right next to my phone, the app had quite a lot of difficulty finding it. After waiting for a long while, when the speakers finally connected, the app immediately asked for an update and took four minutes to update to its latest version.

 

Sound Quality

Nest Audio’s sound is as clear as it gets in such a form factor. It is focused and precise. While I wouldn’t say the bass was significant, the vocals definitely had depth and space to them. The bass is adequate at best. It’s only a 3” speaker, so you need to adjust your expectations accordingly. I listened to quite a lot of classical music on these speakers and enjoyed the sound very much. The treble sounded natural and didn’t get “spitty” or harsh as you turned up the volume. The mids were full and crisp.

The sound is also very detailed so I could hear even the most minute details of the orchestra. The 19mm tweeter is responsible for how much musical detail there is in every single song. I liked how music on the Nest Audio sounded well-balanced from a tonal standpoint. Google has chosen their spectral colors well and the orchestra didn’t suffer from the artificial “nasality” and coloration that ruins the sound of most other small sound systems. According to Google, they used compressors to preserve the dynamic range.

 

Smart Features

The Nest Audio is more than just a speaker. It lets you set reminders quickly and easily. You can use it to remind yourself about groceries, appointments, and meetings. You can get the answers to anything you want. Whether its checking sport scores, weather updates, stock market, translations, the Google Nest Audio has it all.

You can also use the Nest Audio to call phones and tablets. Calls are free and work internationally. The speakers work as an intercom too. In order to call other Nest speakers in your home, simply say, “Hey Google, call the living room” or “Hey Google, call the kitchen.”

Conclusion

The Nest Audio is a brilliant smart speaker offering a range of features for just $99. The fact that such a reasonably priced device offers clear, loud, punchy audio is very impressive. It is also quite aesthetically pleasing and enhances the appearance of your bookshelf or countertop. The material and the build quality is top-notch and it doesn’t look and feel like a $99 speaker at all. One of its best features is that it’s made of recycled plastic. However, I do believe that the pairing process on the Nest Audio could have been better. The process should be much shorter than it currently is.

Apart from that, Google impressed me with their Nest Audio. While you should temper your expectations about the kind of bass it will deliver with only a 3” woofer, its overall audio presentation is well-balanced, natural and detailed. Highly recommended if you’re looking for a small potent wireless speaker system for distributed audio around your house.

 

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