Google released the latest in its line of smart speakers. Named the Google Home Max, it is the heaviest, largest, and most powerful Google smart speaker to date.
The Google Home Max weighs almost twelve pounds and is bigger than the Google Home and Home Mini by a wide margin. It is even larger than any model in the Amazon Echo line of smart speakers.
This latest smart speaker from Google packs six class-D amplifiers. That power is released on a set of four drivers: a pair of woofers both measuring 4.5 inches, and a pair of 0.7-inch tweeters to bring out the high ends of the audio.
Being a smart speaker, Google Home Max accepts voice commands. It is fitted with six far-field microphones for that purpose.
Naturally, wireless connectivity is available. But there is also support for wired connections. The speaker has a universal serial bus (USB) Type C port, which can be used with an Ethernet adapter. Other external audio devices can plug-in using the built-in 3.5-millimeter headphone jack.
The Google Home Max sports rounded corners, made presumably so it could fit with the aesthetic of the Google Home and Home Mini. Its overall design could be described as elongated, with a length about twice as long as its width.
This design has a purpose, though. Thanks to an internal sensor, Google Home Max can detect its orientation. When placed horizontally or in "landscape," it works as a stereo speaker. Placed vertically, it works as a mono speaker.
Two Google Home Max speakers can be connected, as well. A pair would function as separate parts of a stereo setup. However, Google advises to place the speakers 10 feet apart, so it would not be ideal for a small space.
As for loudness, one speaker is loud enough that it can be the main speaker for a house party.
Google Home Max is available now for $499. It comes in two color variants, "chalk" and "charcoal."
