Panasonic SC-GA10
PRICE To be announced ON SALE Early 2018
Voice-activated speakers are currently more fashionable than Donald Trump memes, with manufacturers queueing up to produce rivals to Amazon Echo and Google Home. While many are trying to win custom through price drops or extra features, Panasonic has opted for a more curious route: sound quality.
The speaker has two 20mm soft dome tweeters, providing a full 180 degrees of sound, but it’s the 80mm woofer with Panasonic’s Dual Voice Coil that separates it. This technology is used in cars, so you can imagine the level of sound it produces in the living room.
All straight edges and minimalism, it comes in two colours: black or white. It’s all very Habitat. In terms of height, it sits between the Amazon Echo and Google Home, while touch-sensitive buttons at the top of the speaker allow you to adjust the speaker’s volume and mute the Google Assistant detection.
Assuming you keep it on, the voice assistant allows you to quickly search for information on the internet, convert currency, check the weather or even activate smart home features such as Philips Hue light bulbs. The service can also be used with Chromecast Audio or Chromecast to allow music to be synced across different devices.
A Panasonic app provides access to popular streaming services such as Spotify, Google Play Music and TuneIn Radio, or you can connect to the speaker via Bluetooth – surprisingly, the aptX codec isn’t currently supported, so you won’t be able to stream music at CD quality. The speaker connects to the internet through its Ethernet port or via 802.11ac Wi-Fi, but you can also hook up your device directly via its rear 3.5mm jack input.
Unfortunately, no amount of bribing Panasonic execs on its IFA stand could reveal its price, but it’s due for release in early 2018. CHRISTOPHER MINASIANS KEY SPECS 2 x 20mm soft dome tweeters ● 80mm woofer with dual voice coil 2x ● microphones Google Assistant linking ● ● via Chromecast READ MORE pcpro.link/278pan
“Unfortunately, no amount of bribing Panasonic execs on its IFA stand could reveal the SC-GA10’s price”