Pioneer - Elite Powered Wireless Smart Speaker (Each) - Black

I am going to try to keep this fairly short but since there are only a few reviews I want this to be an in depth review. This product is nearly flawless for the Home Smart Speaker Market and is truly ELITE. 1) Setup is done via the Pioneer Music Control App for Android or iOS. 2) The unit is essentially two Amazon Echo Gen 2 Units in one attractive package that plays in true stereo due to the discrete switching amplifiers. 3) The Bass Frequency Response is down to 28 Hz - 20 kHz and it delivers the right amount of bass punch at any volume setting from low to high. The music will fill up to a medium size great room with sound and you can set up a group of rooms or use the app to control each speaker individually. 4) The Alexa integration is fantastic and works flawlessly with additional setup options available using the Amazon Alexa app. 5) For the advanced user it has the option to setup the unit with a fixed ip address which in a household with a dozen devices running and communicating with each other it is a must for managing them on the network. 6) Other features include; 4 preset buttons, 5 GHz & 2.4 GHz band setup, auxiliary audio input and a line output. 7) This unit does not have bluetooth capabilities which is not really required because streaming over Wi-Fi is more efficient, better quality, and a more stable connection. 8) Suggested improvements are a short list and only minor - The buttons on the top of the unit are not clearly marked with white like the mute microphone button, limited documentation on updating the firmware, the preset buttons only work with Pandora, and can only be programmed when starting music from the Pioneer Music Control App. The Pioneer ELITE Smart Speaker F4 is a steal at a $150.00 price point (On Sale) and clearly outperforms the Sonos One at $200, the Amazon Echo Plus at $150, the JBL Link 20 at $150, and the massive Google Home Max at $400. It is a must buy if you are in the market for a smart speaker with Alexa and enjoy listening to music!

For the size, it provides room-filling sound in my rather large living room. The Alexa functionality exists but is really slow compared to an Echo... I mean so slow that you wonder if you have to repeat the command. The problem is that many times you do have to repeat the command because this unit can't figure out what you said. I was going to contact Pioneer to see if this is the way it's supposed to function but they don't appear to support their own product that is still being sold in stores. What I mean is that the product doesn't appear in their dropdown list of products when you try to get support online. It's on their website, but when it comes to a required entry on their online forms, it doesn't exist. Shows you how much care about customers and their own products which is to say they don't. It's really a pity because the sound is pretty darned good with deep bass for regular music and above average highs and mids. The bass can get a little muddy with bass-centric music. For $80 it's a good deal. However, if you want good Alexa functionality, you would be better served by an Echo. Also, my experience with Pioneer customer support hasn't been the best. I truly feel like once they have your money, they are done with you as a customer. I guess they don't realize that they sell other products and the way products are supported can play a big role in whether or not other products are purchased.

I have been using this speaker for about a week, and I have mixed feelings. Keep in mind, this is a speaker at its heart, not a "smart control device"; it would not replace a echo dot/spot. Alexa supplements its functionality. So, I am reviewing this as a speaker and music player. First, the hardware. I was disappointed to find that there is no way to fine tune the treble/bass settings. This could possibly be alleviated if you group this with other speakers (I simply don't know), but I doubt it based on the limits of the Pioneer Music and DTS apps. Now, on to the software. You will need at least 3 apps on your tablet or mobile device to setup and control the speaker. You get a few options through the Pioneer app, such as the use of DLNA servers, that you won't get through Alexa and voice commands. This leaves you feeling like you need a "remote" for the speaker. I use Spotify and found that you can play music through the speaker by going through the Spotify app itself. Alexa and Pioneer apps do not do this natively. Overall, happy with the speaker, but it could stand to have a few more options to get a few more tweaks out of the system.

As a speaker this speaker is excellent for the price. The sound is way better than the echo speakers. As Alexa, the microphones are just as good as the echo. Do you like playing with apps and figuring things out? then this is for you. The downside is the app or which app do you use. Pioneer control app, play fi app, alexa app or probably 2 of the 3 apps? I recommend the pioneer control app, not the play fi. Pick yours and go without thinking too much because if you want something with a simpler set up get a songs one. I have both and prefer the sound of this one for the same price and I don't mind playing with different apps and trying to figure out how to use it best for me.

Pioneer's Elite series has some amazing equipment, and this one is no exception. The Built-in Alexa function is a useful tool and setup is simple. We have ours in the kitchen and can fill up a large room with great sound. My only concern with this is that you have to use Pioneer's phone app to get it setup and to stream music. Compared to my Definitive Technology Bluetooth cube, which just requires a bluetooth or NFC connection, it can be a bit of a hassle, especially if a guest wants to use their phone's music to stream on the speaker. I'm like, use the Def Tech cube, and they start being envious as they are relegated to a antiquated but still solid sounding technology.

The speaker is a quality product but lacks in what I was expecting. I had to download 3 apps to set this speaker up. Then trying to link my Pandora and Spotify accounts I find out that this speaker does not support those. I had to plug my phone directly into the speaker and use the apps through my phone to listen to my music. The speaker did work with Amazon music but that appeared to be the only music app that would work. I ended up returning the speaker.

It sounds great and I got it on a Deal of the Day for $79. So I was disappointed when I had to return it. It controls Alexa devices, but the one thing it will not do is play Amazon music on command, i.e., "Alexa, play top songs." It will allow you to play your music--but you have to do it with the app. So that means if anyone else wants it to play music, it won't do without the app (NOT 100% Alexa compatible). That was a deal breaker--so back it went.

Sound quality good, consistent with Pioneer reputation. However, I bought this to add to my other 2 Alexa devices on my network. But, this device will not access Pandora like my 2 Echo devices can. You have to use the “app” to do it. Very disappointed, and returning. Other than this, good quality product. Pioneer should make this device as a true Alexa device, and I may comeback to it.