KitSound Voice One Alexa Enabled Smart Speaker Review

Getting the Voice one up was pretty easy thanks to the voice instructions provided at the initial startup.  Installing the KS Player app is required for at least the initial setup and was readily available from both app stores at no cost. 

You will need the app to pair both the Voice One and the remote to your existing wireless network.

Once installed the app helps to connect your existing Amazon account or, if you don't have one it walks you through creating one.  A separate slip sheet provides Spotify instructions though I found all of the app setup to be pretty intuitive.

The KSPlayer app is pretty simple and looks to be a first generation version (Tested at Ver. 2.9.0.17..) with an automated device detect and a list of the installed applications.  Defaults in this version include: TuneIn, iHeartRadio, Spotify Connect, TIDAL, Napster and Amazon Alexa.  The software does allow KitSound to develop additional applications along with more Alexa compatibility going forward.

Not surprisingly the focus of the application is to configure the device, access applications and play music. A simple playlist manager and media controls make this process pretty simple though I found myself quickly skipping over these features and listened to music via Alexa on my Pandora station or through Spotify.

I tested the Voice One over several days as both a listening station and as an Alexa device for news and the like.  During testing I switched back between the Voice One and my first generation Echo and the Dot.  The first generation Echo is widely considered the better of the Alexa devices in terms of sound quality and I would tend to agree.

Overall the range of the Voice One is a marked improvement over the Echo with a much fuller bass response.  This was particularly evident when listening to more bass heavy tracks like “I against I” by Massive attack.  With songs using crisper mids and highs like Pink Floyd’s “Money” the Voice One held its own though the Echo sounded brighter in the higher range. At the “same volume level” according to Alexa, the Kit One sounded well-rounded if a tad quieter.

Testing via blue tooth (or the aux port) was just as easy via the KS app and we were soon streaming everything we would normally use a Bluetooth speaker for, even the Hardware Asylum podcast.  You should check it out! 

Some functionality is still not available but I find all of the common features I use today worked seamlessly between the Amazon products and the Voice One. There were a few instances where I discovered a missing command and while it was a bit jarring I'm still impressed with how much simply worked right out of the box. 

The KitSound Voice One Smart Speaker takes on the difficult task of providing Alexa functionality into a third party product at a competitive price.  I have to admit they did a terrific job meeting that delicate balance. Setup is easy and intuitive and sound quality is great, particularly the bass extension. Even the price is attractive coming in below the original Amazon Echo price.

If you are an Alexa user the Voice One is a fantastic alternative to purchasing another Echo and an affordable alternative to some of the more expensive mulit-room speaker solutions on the market today. If you are considering the Voice One as your first Alexa device you are also getting a solid Bluetooth speaker with all the common Alexa functionality and enhanced sound quality.

If you would like to get your own Voice One from KitSound be sure to check out their store on Amazon.