Nearly a year ago, Fabriq hit the scene as one of the first third-party Alexa speakers on the market. While its Echo Dot competitor offered some intriguing features, it never really took off. Fast forward to today and Fabriq has returned with a larger version called the ‘Chorus’ that may grab the attention of those looking for an alternative to Amazon’s in-house speakers.
One big improvement over the original version is the inclusion of far-field microphones. Unlike the previous iteration that required a press of a button to activate Alexa voice services, today’s new model operates just like Amazon’s own speakers. Fabriq also includes a unique wireless charging system that allows Chorus to go just about anywhere…
The most natural comparison for the Farbiq Chorus is Amazon’s Tap Bluetooth Speaker. However, there are a number of differences starting with the price. Chorus retails for $100 while Tap usually goes for $130 (although it’s on sale for $80 today). And while both offer 360-degree sound and Bluetooth connectivity, Chorus arguably offers far greater value than the incumbent.
Fabriq’s latest is headlined by a six hour internal battery that charges on a wireless dock, which is included with purchase. That allows users to quickly grab Chorus and move it around the house or to the backyard when needed. Combined with the upgraded far-field microphone, this might be the best way to access Alexa that we’ve seen.
One key feature is the ability to link multiple Fabriq speakers together via the free iOS and Android app. You can stream one service across up to ten devices at a time, creating your own (more affordable) version of Sonos.
Chorus ships with the familiar fabric-wrapped design that we first saw on the original model. There are four color choices at launch with the promise of additional styles coming down the line. Inside you’ll find dual “precision drivers” that are backed by 8W of total power. And of course, it has full access to the entire line of Alexa skills that seems to be expanding by the day.
The new Fabriq Chorus speaker is available for purchase today at Amazon for $99.99 shipped. We’ll have a full hands-on review in the coming weeks but in the meantime, feel free to check out our in-depth look at the previous generation.
[9to5-press-release]
ADDING MULTIMEDIA FABRIQ Upgrades Alexa-Enabled Speaker
TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Today FABRIQ unveiled the next generation of its Alexa-enabled, multi-room speaker. Named Chorus, the smart speaker combines the voice activated Alexa service powered by far-field voice recognition with high-quality sound and multi-room connectivity. Chorus is available immediately on Target.com, Amazon.com and thefabriq.com for $99.99 and will be available September 24th in Target stores nationwide for guests to demo and purchase.
Of the many upgrades to Chorus, one of the most notable is the voice-activated Alexa service. The previous model, Riff, offered at $49.99, contained touch activated Alexa. Use your voice to control Chorus including asking Alexa to play music, check the weather, place calls and more. Alexa can hear voice requests even when the music is playing and can be activated using the awake word “Alexa.” Chorus has a dedicated charging dock for convenient power and can also be controlled via the FABRIQ app, available on Apple’s iTunes store and Google Play.
Now with 8 watts of power, two drivers and a passive radiator, Chorus delivers superior sound quality, making it an excellent option as a standalone speaker, but even better when paired with the wider FABRIQ family. Use Chorus as your command center and pair it with our Riff speakers for an affordable whole home surround sound system. Built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi allow you to stream music from most major services and have access to your music on the go.
At launch, Chorus will be available in four different patterns so consumers can find a design that matches their style. Target stores will carry two exclusive patterns in-store for guests: Duke of Earl and Static. Two additional patterns, Quartz and Midnight Blue, are available on Target.com and Amazon.com. Additional seasonal patterns will be available in coming months.
“We were able to deliver tremendous value when we launched the touch activated Riff last year, but knew we were leaving a large portion of the market untouched without a voice activated unit,” said Jordon Sansom, Director of Marketing, FABRIQ. “We were building Chorus in tandem with Riff, but needed time to make sure the far field voice control technology worked in conjunction with Chorus’s speaker power. During this time, we were able to observe consumers reception to products on the market which helped to solidify what features we wanted to include in our all-in-one Alexa solution at the sub $100 price point.”
Product specs:
- Audio: Two 2” precision active drivers and a 2” passive radiator combined with 8W of power to fill your room with rich sound
- Dimensions: 3.15” x 3.15” x 6.3”
- Weight: 540g
- Battery: Up to 6 hours, 7.4V (2200mAh Capacity)
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
- Voice-activated Alexa through far field technology
- Compatible with both iOS and Android
- Connects up to ten FABRIQ speakers
“There are several smart speakers currently on the market but each one seems to compromise an important feature. With Chorus, we set out to fulfill the consumer’s full wish list – excellent audio, the ability to link with other smart speakers, the ability to play music from major streaming services, voice control and affordability – all without breaking the bank,” said Sansom. “We have seen the profound impact voice has had on the adoption of smart home technology and we will continue to advance our technology as we further grow the FABRIQ brand.”
More information about FABRIQ can be found at: www.thefabriq.com.
About FABRIQ
FABRIQ is a Toronto based company committed to delivering high quality, affordable gateways into the smart home. FABRIQ is designed to allow consumers to express their individualism while providing access to Alexa’s amazing capabilities, helping accelerate voice control in the home. The FABRIQ team has years of experience designing and developing products for the home audio industry and we will continue to deliver products that provide affordable access into the ever growing smart home.
[/9to5-press-release]
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