Which speakers to get for easiest TTS set-up with SmartThings?

Devices & Integrations Connected Things
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Quick question for all of you geniuses out there. I am looking at getting speakers for voice messages/sounds/etc. I am currently using Smartthings and Echosistant for my Amazon Echo. I have read numerous messages regarding installing apps in order to incorporate cheaper speakers to save a little money. As much as I want to do that, my patience these days cant take the installation process followed by errors and glitches to get the operation going. So I would rather just get the supported speakers and keep it simple. So to my question…when I look in the smartthings app, I see the only 2 choices for speakers are Bose Soundtouch or Samsung Multiroom Audio. However, when I look at the Alexa side, I see Sonos. I’m not sure which speakers to get as far as which platform that would allow the easiest integration with out time consuming configuration. Basically what I am saying is should I get Smartthings type speaker or an Alexa side speaker for easier integration. Just a quick example, I would like to setup the Dogs Barking profile when a door is opened late at night. Hope this makes sense. Thanks in advance!

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I use cheap tablets running Lanouncer hooked up to whatever speaker via aux cord or Bluetooth.

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ok thanks for the info

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I also run lanouncer to a Google home

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How do you use Lanouncer to Gloogle Home?

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Someone else can correct me if I’m wrong, but based what has been posted on the forums in 2017, I think the Bose soundtouch 10 is currently the simplest TTS set up and maintenance. Since it is on the official compatibility list, you can also get assistance from support.

Sonos is also very popular, but it just seems like every two or three months something breaks in that integration.

I believe @DParker has the Bose and may have more to add. :sunglasses:

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I have them in my home and they work great for TTS. I use them with ES for a few specific notifications such as "Someone rang the doorbell at xx:xx (time). I will then bring up my Nest Cam at the front door to see who is there. Not to mention, these speakers also sound pretty great with music. I also have them connected to Echo Dots, which gives me the ability to play music sources from Echo (iTunes iPod, Sirius/XM, etc) via voice thru Aux output or from a music source directly from the Bose. I also have these speakers setup as tiles in ActionTiles.

From reliability standpoint I haven’t had a single issue with these speakers.

Best Buy used to sell them in a two pack (where I got mine), but the two pack is still available from Amazon and Bose has a deal where you can get 1 Bose SoundTouch and an Echo Dot.

https://www.bose.com/en_us/products/speakers/multi_room_speakers/soundtouch_10_echo_dot_pkg.html#v=soundtouch_10_echo_dot_pkg_black

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I suppose we should also mention that there are persistent rumors that Amazon will be adding text to speech (TTS) notification capability to its Echo devices sometime in the next year, and that they have only been holding back because of an agreement with Sonos while Sonos is working on bringing its Alexa – enabled device to market.

I have no idea of any of that is true, let alone all of it, but I did want to mention it because it does seem like something that Amazon should add eventually, and I wouldn’t want you to feel bad if you spend a couple hundred dollars on a different speaker when later Amazon turned on the feature for the dots.

But again, Amazon has not said they are going to offer that feature, let alone when, so it just depends on whether you are OK with The possibility.

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Thanks everyone for all of the input. So many options…which I suppose is a good thing.

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I do have the Bose ST 10. The official integration works well, and the only issue I have with it is the delay in sound output when playback begins, resulting in the loss of the leading fraction of a second of what’s being played.

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Strange… the two pack you listed is $369. But if you go to the following and select a quantity of two, it is discounted to $329 in your cart.

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I have the Samsung R1…found reconditioned for around $60, and it works well, also supported.

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I believe this also happens on the Sonos. To kind of offset the delay, I have the device listed 2x in my output string to somewhat counter the delay from cutting off.

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An even sweeter deal. Nice!

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Simply Bluetooth paired

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Well, I bit the bullet and installed Media Render Connect, Media Render Player, and I bought a couple of Jam Symphony wifi speakers ($71 a piece). I think that’s all I need to get Smartthings, Alexa, and Echosistant to do voice messages and voice notifications. Hopefully, when they get in tomorrow, I can get them to work. I’m really just looking for the TTS function. If I am missing something, any and all input is welcomed. Thanks again everyone.

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The Jam Symphony speakers came this evening. With Media Render, smartthings recognized them right away and connected them. However the only issue I am having is…Alexa, tell the Living Room (Insert your message here). (This plays on your connected speakers)

Alexa, acknowledges the message, but nothing plays on my connected speakers. I believe this is an issue with my configuration not with the speakers themselves. If anyone can tell me how to get a message to actually play on my connected speakers, it would be greatly appreciated.

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Check out this list, personally I’m using Fabriq, cheap and simple to setup.

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These still working well?

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They are still working for me