Table of Content
Not only is the device out-of-stock in the US Google Store, but the company told Engadget it discontinued the line. You may still be able to find them through other vendors, but only while supplies last. Other than cost, there was never any reason not to buy this excellent speaker from Google. At $399 when it debuted, it was always a bit pricey for many users, but recent discounts to $299 on a regular basis have made it far more palatable.
The major functionality you lose is the ability to make phone calls, which Google's own speakers have but third-party models don't. You can also assume, of course, that Google's own speakers will get new features first (that's what has happened with Alexa speakers). Unless the Link is compellingly better, audio-wise, the Max is a safer bet. On tracks with intense sub-bass content, like The Knife's "Silent Shout," it delivers powerful low frequency response. Thus, at more moderate levels, you get a rounder, fuller sense of bass depth. In fact, for a speaker this size—not tiny, but not massive—you get a disproportionately full bass response.
Google Nest Protect (2nd gen)
So let's say the built-in Google Assistant functionality is worth about $50 of the $400 price tag—that would mean the Home Max should sound as good as a $350 speaker, right? Compared with some of our favorite standard wireless speakers in this price range, like the Klipsch The Three and the JBL Boombox, the Home Max is most definitely a competitor. From a purely audio-based standpoint, the Boombox is the winner in terms of volume and bass depth, while the Klipsch model delivers the most refined audio of the bunch. But in terms of clarity, power, and bass depth, the Home Max delivers an excellent listening experience that can hang in the same league as these speakers, which is especially impressive when you factor in the voice control. As far as smart speakers go, the top competitor for the Google Home Max right now is JBL's Link system, especially the Link 500 ($399.95), which we are in the process of reviewing. The Link system has four different speaker options, all with Google Assistant.
The low price seems like a great incentive to get one, as you'll receive support just like any other speaker, but the price just isn't low enough. The US Google Store lists them as available for just $179, almost half the original selling price for Google's premium level home smart Hi-Fi system. Along the back panel, there's a mic switch—this turns the mic for Google Assistant and the speakerphone on and off.
Voice Remote for Chromecast with Google TV
It seems like a very short run, but Google likely sees its newer Nest Audio speakers as a better replacement. At about half the price, users can pick up two Nest speakers and achieve the same or superior sound quality with a smaller footprint. As of today, the US Google Store lists the Google Home as “No longer available.” That said, the product listing has not been removed and the device is still shown alongside other speakers.
This is a powerful sound that'll appeal to fans of deep bass, yet the speaker doesn't forsake the overall balance of the mix, as the highs are also well represented. "Existing Google Home Max users shouldn't worry as they won't see any change in their service," a spokesperson said. "We'll continue to offer software updates and security fixes to Google Home Max devices. We're committed to delivering great sound and whole home audio features across all of our Assistant-enabled products." If you remember our review and follow up on this speaker, it is an absolute beast. The sound quality is superb, the connectivity is solid, and it still looks great on the shelf.
Google home max Stock Photos and Images
Where you can find devices available for purchase on the Google Store. Meanwhile, the bottom was a “Base” that magnetically attached and could be swapped out. Available in fabric or metal, it was a nifty way to customize your Google Home, though the concept never really took off.
When sub-bass moments occasionally occur in the mix, the speakers deliver them with full-bodied presence that doesn't compete with the highs for the spotlight. Again, the louder you pump the volume, the thinner the bass gets, but at fairly high listening levels, the bass depth is still impressive. The vocals are delivered with solid clarity and without much added sibilance. Bill Callahan's "Drover," a track with less deep bass in the mix, gives us a better sense of the Home Max's overall sound signature. The drums on this track can sound overly thunderous on speakers that boost the bass too much, but through the Home Max, you get lovely bass depth.
The Google Home Max is back in stock and too cheap to ignore
If you enjoy solid, round, full audio and want a smart assistant added in, you can’t go wrong with this speaker. At this price, it’s finally an easy recommend for just about anyone out there. The Home Max was introduced in 2017, and while time moves quickly in smart home tech, it seems a little fast to be pushing a flagship product to the wayside. In reality, however, Nest Audio – Google's most recent smart speaker line – takes everything the Home Max does and adds a little more.
If you had your eye on the Home Max but were waiting for a good sale price, don't wait any longer. This might be your last chance to get your hands on Google's AI-powered Hi-Fi monster. The officially retired but still supported super-speaker is now super cheap. PCMag supports Group Black and its mission to increase greater diversity in media voices and media ownerships. Sign up for Lab Report to get the latest reviews and top product advice delivered right to your inbox.
It can recognize up to six different voices for different Google accounts, synchronize music between rooms, and even broadcast messages to all of the Google Home devices in your home. While the original, smaller Google Home speaker looks like an air freshener or scented candle, the Home Max is simple and beautiful. Its smooth contour has rounded edges and a lovely cloth speaker grille that is so seamlessly installed, it looks like it and the surrounding matte plastic are one piece. The cloth has a slight sheen to it, and white LEDs glow behind its surface to display volume levels. Beneath the grille, dual 0.7-inch tweeters and dual 4.5-inch woofers deliver the audio.
In these days of planned obsolescence, discontinuing a product line usually means support for the device is limited to only a few more years. Those who may have only picked up a Home Max this year might be worried that their purchase may soon be ignored. However, Google says that it has no plans to stop providing updates and support for the device. For months now, the Google Home Max has gone on sale, off of sale, had a permanent price reduction, gone on sale again, and then returned to in-stock status as the year wound to a close. With a full-blown return to the Google Store, I thought perhaps this excellent speaker was going to just hang around for a while longer. After all, if you are Google and trying to just sell through your remaining stock, why lift the awesome sale they had going?
The drums sound full, rich, and round—neither overly boosted nor weak. Callahan's baritone vocals get an ideal low-mid presence as well, highlighting their richness, while the high-mids are dialed in to deliver some crisp treble edge to the vocals, guitar strums, and higher-register percussive hits. Purists won't be thrilled with the bass boosting and sculpting in the highs that goes into making this sound signature, but most listeners will enjoy the full, clear sound. We'd like to have seen track navigation controls onboard—you'll be skipping tracks either on your phone itself or with the power of your voice and Google Assistant.
