The Google Nest Audio - Chalk is a smart speaker designed for users seeking high-fidelity audio for their music, podcasts, and audiobooks, combined with the convenience of a robust voice assistant for smart home control. It delivers significantly improved sound quality over its predecessor, filling rooms with crisp vocals and powerful bass, although it requires a stable Wi-Fi connection for all smart features to function optimally.
Enhanced Audio Quality: Engineered with a woofer, tweeter, and tuning software, Nest Audio delivers 75% more loudness and 50% stronger bass than the original Google Home, providing rich, room-filling sound.
Adaptive Sound: Intelligently adjusts its audio output based on your environment and what you're listening to, ensuring music, news, and podcasts sound clear and balanced.
Voice-Activated Google Assistant: Easily play music, get answers, manage your schedule, and control smart home devices using just your voice by saying "Hey Google."
Smart Home Hub: Seamlessly connects with a wide range of compatible smart home devices, allowing you to turn on lights, adjust thermostats, and control other appliances through voice commands.
Stereo Pairing & Multi-room Audio: Link two Nest Audio speakers for immersive stereo sound, or group multiple speakers across different rooms to enjoy synchronized audio throughout your home.
Sleek, Eco-Conscious Design: Features a soft, rounded aesthetic that blends into any decor, often made with recycled materials.
Rich, clear, and powerful sound with strong bass and crisp vocals.
Seamless integration with Google Assistant for hands-free control.
Adaptive sound feature optimizes audio for different content and environments.
Ability to pair two units for true stereo separation or create multi-room audio.
Acts as a central hub for controlling a wide range of smart home devices.
Compact and aesthetically pleasing design.
Requires a constant power source; no portable battery option.
Full functionality depends on a stable Wi-Fi connection and Google services.
Always-on microphone may raise privacy concerns for some users.
Sound quality, while improved, may not satisfy audiophiles compared to dedicated high-end speakers.
Can only connect to other Google Assistant speakers for multi-room audio (not other brands).
Rich, clear, and powerful sound with strong bass and crisp vocals.
Seamless integration with Google Assistant for hands-free control.
Adaptive sound feature optimizes audio for different content and environments.
Ability to pair two units for true stereo separation or create multi-room audio.
Acts as a central hub for controlling a wide range of smart home devices.
Compact and aesthetically pleasing design.
Requires a constant power source; no portable battery option.
Full functionality depends on a stable Wi-Fi connection and Google services.
Always-on microphone may raise privacy concerns for some users.
Sound quality, while improved, may not satisfy audiophiles compared to dedicated high-end speakers.
Can only connect to other Google Assistant speakers for multi-room audio (not other brands).
The Google Nest Audio excels as a daily smart audio companion. Its room-filling sound makes it perfect for listening to music while cooking, relaxing, or hosting small gatherings. With 75% more loudness and 50% stronger bass than the original Google Home, you'll notice a significant improvement in audio depth and clarity.
Voice commands via "Hey Google" are the core of its interaction. You can:
Play music: "Hey Google, play my 'Workout' playlist on Spotify." or "Hey Google, play some jazz music."
Get information: "Hey Google, what's the weather like today?" or "Hey Google, how far is the moon?"
Control your smart home: "Hey Google, turn on the living room lights." or "Hey Google, set the thermostat to 22 degrees."
Set timers and alarms: "Hey Google, set a timer for 15 minutes." or "Hey Google, wake me up at 7 AM tomorrow."
The adaptive sound feature dynamically adjusts the equalizer based on the content and ambient noise, ensuring that podcasts are clear even with background distractions, and music retains its richness at various volumes. For an even more immersive audio experience, consider pairing two Nest Audio speakers in the Google Home app to create a true stereo soundstage, ideal for a living room or entertainment area. You can also group multiple Nest Audio speakers (or other Google Assistant speakers) to play the same audio throughout different rooms in your home, ensuring your music follows you.
Setting up your Google Nest Audio is a straightforward process:
Plug in: Connect the power adapter to your Nest Audio and plug it into a wall outlet.
Download Google Home App: Download and open the Google Home app on your smartphone or tablet.
Add Device: The app should automatically detect your Nest Audio. Follow the on-screen prompts to connect it to your Wi-Fi network, link your Google account, and configure other settings like voice match.
Customize: Personalize settings such as default music services, smart home device integrations, and notification preferences within the app.
Smart Home Devices: The Nest Audio is compatible with thousands of smart home devices from various brands that integrate with Google Assistant, including smart lights, thermostats, locks, cameras, and more. All compatible devices are managed through the Google Home app.
Audio Services: Supports popular music streaming services like Spotify, YouTube Music, Pandora, Deezer, and others. You can also cast audio directly to Nest Audio from many apps on your phone.
Bluetooth: Can function as a standard Bluetooth speaker, allowing you to play audio directly from any Bluetooth-enabled device.
Cleaning: To clean your Nest Audio, gently wipe the exterior with a soft, dry, or slightly damp cloth. Avoid using harsh chemicals, abrasive cleaners, or getting moisture into any openings.
Placement: For optimal sound quality and microphone performance, place your Nest Audio in an open area, away from walls or corners that might muffle sound. Ensure it's within range of your Wi-Fi router.
Software Updates: Keep your Nest Audio connected to Wi-Fi to ensure it receives automatic software updates, which provide new features and performance improvements.