Amazon Plans to Launch Alexa-Powered Hifi Equipment

Amazon is looking to move upmarket by making its own Alexa-powered Hifi equipment, according to a new CNBC report. The e-commerce giant will introduce at least 8 new devices before the end of the year, including an amplifier, a receiver and a subwoofer, CNBC reported Monday afternoon.Some of the other voice-powered devices Amazon is looking to introduce reportedly include a microwave oven and an in-car gadget. Not all of these devices may come with far-field voice control out of the box, with CNBC reporting that some will merely be Alexa-enabled. This would require consumers to still own an Amazon Echo or a similar device with built-in microphones to control the company’s new gadgets.The introduction of a subwoofer, amplifier and receiver is especially notable. Amazon has thus far prioritized price and ease-of-use over audio quality for its Echo line of speakers. By introducing higher-end audio components, the company may be looking to appeal to Hifi enthusiasts, and take on Apple and its Homepod as well as Google’s higher-end Google Home Max speaker.