Skip to main content

How to adjust the sound settings on your Amazon Echo

If you’ve recently purchased a new Amazon Echo speaker, you’re probably enjoying the overall sound and convenience of voice-controlled music, radio, podcasts and audio. But you may not know you’ve got myriad options when it comes to how your Echo device sounds. You can easily add bass or treble to the music, as well as adjust some other settings too to create a better overall user experience.

You can adjust a number of settings on your Amazon Echo speakers, including changing sound preferences, tweaking the equalizer or EQ settings, and pairing or grouping speakers all using the Alexa app, which is designed to make this process relatively simple and straightforward.

Recommended Videos

How to adjust equalizer settings on Amazon Echo

EQ settings will let you add more treble or bass or otherwise tweak your audio preferences. To adjust EQ settings:

  • Go to the Alexa app on your smartphone or device.
  • Select Devices.
  • Choose Echo & Alexa.
  • Select your Echo smart device or speaker.
  • Tap Audio Settings then use the slider bars to make adjustments.

Amazon Echo Show 8 2021 home screen.

How to create a stereo pair or speaker set

Want to use two Echo speakers as a stereo pair for more high-fidelity music and sound? It’s quite easy to connect them and set left and right channels. Here’s how to do it:

First, make sure that the smartphone you’re using to set up the speaker pair is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the speakers.

  • Open the Alexa app.
  • Choose Devices.
  • Click on the plus sign (+) in the top right corner of the app.
  • Pick Combine Speakers.
  • You’ll select whether you want to create a multi-room audio speaker chain, a home theater setup, or a stereo pair.
Amazon Echo Studio in a home theater.
Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Choose the two speakers for the pair and follow the in-app instructions to complete the process.

The identical process will work for creating a multi-room audio speaker chain or a home theater setup using Amazon Echo speakers or devices.

How to adjust alarm and timer volumes on Amazon Echo

If you frequently use your Amazon Echo speaker or smart screen as a timer or an alarm, you can adjust the overall level of those alarms.

  • Go to the Alexa app.
  • Select Devices.
  • Choose Echo & Alexa.
  • Select your device.
  • Click on Sounds. You’ll be able to adjust the alarm tone volume or even have it start out quiet and gradually increase in volume.

Having trouble with Amazon Echo audio settings?

If you’re having any problems accessing your device or its settings, a factory reset might be needed. Fortunately, a factory reset of an Amazon Echo is easy, though each device has its own sequence and process. Amazon’s Help website is searchable and can take you to the instructions for whichever device you have, or you can just ask, “Alexa, how do I do a factory reset of my Amazon Echo?” for full instructions. With a device like an Echo Show or Spot, you just press and hold the Mute and Volume Down buttons until you see the Amazon logo (about 15 seconds). For the Echo Dot, you need to press and hold the Action button until the light ring turns orange (about 25 seconds). Afterward, you’ll need to set your device up anew. (And if you need help picking out a device, our Echo versus Dot guide has everything you need to know.)

Making adjustments to your Amazon Echo device is easy and lets you create a customized experience based on how you use the device and what your music or listening preferences are.

Erin Lawrence
Erin has over 20 years of experience as a journalist in the media and news industries, with time both on camera and behind…
Amazon revives the Echo Spot with a new look ahead of Prime Day
The Echo Spot on a nightstand.

Prime Day is just around the corner on July 16-17, but Amazon is kicking off the summer festivities with the launch of the Echo Spot -- an updated version of the old smart alarm clock that's packed with new functionality. Featuring a customizable display, support for Alexa, and a built-in speaker, it's the ideal companion for a nightstand. The smart alarm clock is now available for $80, though Prime members can snag it for just $45 through July 17.

The Echo Spot uses an attractive circular design that's split into two parts. The top half is the customizable display, which supports multiple different colors and lets you quickly set alarms, check the weather, or access its many other apps. The bottom half houses the 1.73-inch speaker, allowing it to play music or respond to your voice commands.

Read more
Echo Show 10 vs. Nest Hub (2nd Gen): which smart display is better for your home?
The Echo Show 10 on a kitchen counter.

When it comes to smart displays, few are as popular as the Echo Show 10 and Nest Hub (2nd Gen). Both are incredibly powerful devices, allowing you to quickly check your calendar, get updates on the weather, or dive into a variety of entertainment apps. However, there are a few key differences between these devices -- including screen size, available apps, and supported smart home platforms.

Ready to add one of these smart displays to your home? Here's what you need to know before making a purchase to ensure you're picking the best smart display for your needs.
Pricing and design

Read more
The most common Echo Show problems and how to fix them
Amazon Echo Show 10.

If you're looking to add a smart display to your home, the Amazon Echo Show is a great option. Bringing the best of Alexa into the visual realm, the Echo Show allows you to tap into real-time video from your home's smart security system, have video calls with friends and family using Alexa's Drop In feature, stream from Hulu and Prime Video, run photo slideshows, and so much more.

But glitches happen, and the Echo Show is not without its small trail of troubles. Fortunately, many of these issues have straightforward fixes. In this deep dive, we'll be taking a look at the most common Echo Show problems and how you can fix them.
Echo Show screen is flickering
This issue has been with the Echo Show since the first-generation model. What we're talking about are pulsating horizontal lines stretching across the screen. Sometimes, the malfunction appears closer to the bottom of the display, where Alexa's indicator is, or up and down the entire display. Some Echo Show owners experience this infrequently, others all the time. If your own Show is flickering, there are a few things you can try.

Read more