If you have a Google TV Streamer or plan to get one, you have an exclusive audio option on the Google Home Speaker. Combining the two of them gets you spatial sound, which is definitely a step up from more expensive options.
Let’s talk about TV sound. You have several options, and many of them are quite expensive. Without a dedicated audio solution, the TV’s built-in speakers will be your only option. They are traditionally quite bad and an easy solution is to add a soundbar for a more refined and balanced sound.
Even soundbars can be expensive, with the entry barrier varying around $200 for decent sound. There are differences, but a custom setup can quickly become expensive.
Google wants you to replace your soundbar or TV speakers with the new Google Home Speakers. The Google TV Broadcaster recently added support for the company’s smaller Gemini speakers. When the two are combined, spatial audio becomes an option.
Horse 99 dollars In one piece, the Google Home Speaker provides a good audio experience. It’s not innovative, and it’s more expensive than the Nest Mini was at launch — something it’s inevitably going to be compared to.
But the idea is that you can take these $99 speakers and plug them into a streaming device you may already have, eliminating the need for additional speakers and getting a spatial audio experience.
So how is it?
Simple setup, simple experience
As soon as you launch Google TV Streamer Google Home Speakers When enabled and connected, a pairing request appears. You’ll want to complete the installation process in no time. Don’t be like me and turn off the streamer halfway, only to get frustrated when you can’t turn the speakers back on. In any case, a simple reboot fixes the problem.
When you pair speakers, Google TV will let you choose the left and right units and adjust the sync, since they don’t use a traditional connection method. You can turn on the surround sound during this process. If you do this, you’ll need to tell Google TV Streamer how far away the speakers sit from each other and from you.
Installation couldn’t be simpler. I find it a bit annoying that if you decline the pairing request and decide to pair the speakers manually, the settings won’t let you pair two at a time – just one. Again, restarting fixes it, but I wonder if Google TV will continue to ask me to turn on the speakers even if I opt out.
When it comes to sounds, it really doesn’t get any easier.
The speakers themselves sound good. Not great, but good. Unsurprisingly, putting the two together will result in good sound.
I think there’s a huge benefit of ease of use for Google Home Speakers like the Google TV Streamer speakers. There are no wires outside of the power cord, so there’s nothing to run behind the TV. At the same time, there is an element of failure if the speakers somehow fail to connect properly. You get a few seconds of boot time before the speakers actually connect to the TV.
It delivers a nice spatial audio experience thanks to its 360-degree drivers, but suffers from a lack of full-range detail, especially at high volumes.
Still, I think you’d be hard-pressed to find a soundbar or other audio solution for $200 that lets you just plug it in and stick it anywhere, with surround sound available whenever you want it. It only affects the smooth experience of Google TV Streamer, so they are almost a perfect match.
Google Home is a speaker available now. Google TV Streamer is recommended with or without new speakers, and it is now It sells for $80 from some retailers.
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