Quick summary
- The bookshelf speaker boasts a classic rectangular shape with a wooden frame, while the picture frame speaker is designed to blend seamlessly with your home décor.
- The Nest Audio is a compact and affordable option with seamless Google Assistant integration, while the Symfonisk offers a more powerful sound experience and a wider range of design options.
- The Google Nest Audio has seamless Google Assistant integration, while the IKEA Symfonisk requires a separate smart home hub or app to connect to Google Assistant.
In the realm of smart home audio, two titans stand out: Google Nest Audio and IKEA Symfonisk. Both devices offer exceptional sound quality, voice assistant integration, and smart home capabilities. But which one is the better choice for you? This comprehensive comparison will help you weigh the pros and cons of each speaker and make an informed decision.
Design and Aesthetics
Google Nest Audio:
The Nest Audio features a sleek, pebble-shaped design with a fabric covering that comes in various colors. Its compact size and minimal aesthetic make it a subtle addition to any room.
IKEA Symfonisk:
The Symfonisk is available in two distinct designs: a bookshelf speaker and a picture frame speaker. The bookshelf speaker boasts a classic rectangular shape with a wooden frame, while the picture frame speaker is designed to blend seamlessly with your home décor.
Sound Quality
Google Nest Audio:
The Nest Audio delivers impressive sound quality for its size. Its full-range driver produces clear and balanced audio, with surprisingly deep bass. It’s ideal for listening to music, podcasts, and audiobooks.
IKEA Symfonisk:
The Symfonisk bookshelf speaker offers a wider soundstage and more powerful bass than the Nest Audio. Its two drivers, a woofer and a tweeter, create a rich and immersive sound experience. The picture frame speaker, however, has a smaller soundstage and less bass.
Voice Assistant Integration
Google Nest Audio:
The Nest Audio seamlessly integrates with Google Assistant, providing hands-free voice control. You can ask it to play music, set alarms, check the weather, and control other smart home devices.
IKEA Symfonisk:
The Symfonisk also supports Google Assistant, but it requires a separate smart home hub or app to connect. This adds an extra step to the setup process but allows you to use other voice assistants, such as Amazon Alexa or Siri.
Smart Home Capabilities
Google Nest Audio:
The Nest Audio is a fully fledged smart home hub. It can control compatible smart lights, thermostats, and other devices directly from the speaker.
IKEA Symfonisk:
The Symfonisk does not have any built-in smart home capabilities. However, it can be used as a speaker for the IKEA Tradfri smart home system.
Connectivity
Google Nest Audio:
The Nest Audio connects via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It also has a 3.5mm AUX input for wired connections.
IKEA Symfonisk:
The Symfonisk connects via Wi-Fi and has a 3.5mm AUX input. It does not support Bluetooth.
Price
Google Nest Audio:
The Nest Audio is priced at $99.99.
IKEA Symfonisk:
The Symfonisk bookshelf speaker is priced at $99.99, while the picture frame speaker is priced at $199.99.
Which Speaker is Right for You?
Google Nest Audio:
- Ideal for those who prioritize simplicity, seamless Google Assistant integration, and a compact design.
- Suitable for smaller rooms or as a secondary speaker.
IKEA Symfonisk:
- Ideal for those who want a more powerful sound experience, a unique design, and compatibility with multiple voice assistants.
- Suitable for larger rooms or as a primary speaker.
Final Thoughts
Both Google Nest Audio and IKEA Symfonisk are excellent smart speakers that offer distinct advantages. The Nest Audio is a compact and affordable option with seamless Google Assistant integration, while the Symfonisk offers a more powerful sound experience and a wider range of design options. Ultimately, the best choice for you depends on your specific needs and preferences.
Questions We Hear a Lot
Q: Which speaker has better sound quality?
A: The IKEA Symfonisk bookshelf speaker offers a more powerful sound experience than the Google Nest Audio.
Q: Which speaker is more affordable?
A: The Google Nest Audio is priced at $99.99, while the IKEA Symfonisk bookshelf speaker and picture frame speaker are priced at $99.99 and $199.99, respectively.
Q: Which speaker has better voice assistant integration?
A: The Google Nest Audio has seamless Google Assistant integration, while the IKEA Symfonisk requires a separate smart home hub or app to connect to Google Assistant.