Aux Input and Echo Devices
Aux input requires a 3.5mm auxiliary cable and a device with aux output capabilities. You may recognize the aux cable as the same type of plug that comes on a standard pair of headphones.
An aux input amplifies audio from the output source. For example, most cars have aux input ports that allow you to play audio from a smartphone or an MP3 player through the car’s sound system.
Compatible Devices with the Echo’s Aux Input
The aux input feature on some Echo devices is convenient when you want to play audio from a source that doesn’t have Bluetooth, such as an old iPod.
To connect another audio source to your Echo using an aux cable, the other device must have an aux output port.
Compatible devices include:
- iPhone 6 or earlierOther smartphones with headphone jacksMP3 playersTabletsComputers
When Should You Use the Echo’s Aux Input?
Knowing the speaker’s strength of your Echo is essential in determining if you should use an aux cord with it.
For example, the Echo Studio allows you to use its powerful speaker to play audio from another source such as a phone or MP3 player. On the other hand, there is no need for an aux input on the Echo Dot because the speaker is too small to serve as an efficient sound amplifier for another device.
Using the Aux Input on Your Echo Device
If the audio doesn’t start playing from your Echo automatically, you may need to select the output source on your other device. Go to the sound settings on your other device and select the appropriate aux output source.
All Echo devices have aux output, even devices like the Echo Dot that do not have aux-in capabilities. This allows the Echo device to play sounds or music through an external speaker, such as a Bluetooth speaker. Aux output is especially helpful if you have an Echo Dot or Auto:
- The speaker on an Echo Dot is not very loud, so users often connect it to a more powerful speaker for better sound quality and volume.Echo Auto is designed explicitly for use in a moving vehicle and therefore doesn’t have a speaker of its own. Instead, it connects to your car’s sound system through Bluetooth. If your car doesn’t have Bluetooth, or you prefer to hard-wire your Echo Auto, you can always connect it to your car’s sound system using an aux cable.
Having aux out on your Echo model is also beneficial if the sound quality of its speaker isn’t that great. Based on the information above, you may have noticed that the Echo Dot may not have a strong speaker compared to the rest, while the Echo Studio has a very powerful sound system.
To use the aux output on your Echo device, connect a 3.5mm auxiliary cable in the same way you would for an aux input.
