Skip to main content

Tired of the Echo? Try the Chorus from Fabriq for your Alexa needs instead

Why limit your surround sound experience to a movie theater when you can have the same experience in your home theater? Or really, just about anywhere in your home. On Monday, September 18, Toronto-based home audio company Fabriq unveiled the newest generation of its Alexa-enabled, multi-room speaker. Meet Chorus, a new smart speaker that promises to meld Amazon Alexa’s far-field voice recognition technology with high-quality sound and multi-room connectivity. Because sometimes, the Echo just isn’t enough for your needs.

An upgrade to Fabriq’s previous speaker, Riff, the Chorus’ most notable difference lies in its voice-activated Alexa service. Previously, users had to physically touch the Riff speaker in order to access the AI assistant, but now, customers can control Alexa with nothing more than their voice. Like the Echo line of devices, the Chorus is activated by way of the “Alexa” awake word, and can be asked to play music, check the weather, place calls, and more. Even if you’re already using the Chorus to play music, the smart speaker will be able to hear your Alexa commands and address your needs.

Boasting eight watts of power, two drivers, and a passive radiator, Chorus promises high sound quality on its own, but can also be integrated with other products in the Fabriq family for a more connected experience. Thanks to the speaker’s built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi features, you’ll be able to stream music from a wide range of services.

“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 Jordon Sansom, Director of Marketing at Fabriq. “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.”

Now available for $100 on Target.com, Amazon.com, and thefabriq.com, the Chorus is currently available in four different patterns, and the company notes that there are more in the pipeline.

Lulu Chang
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
Eve MotionBlinds Upgrade Kit and Blinds Collection join the Matter lineup
The Eve MotionBlinds Upgrade Kit being installed.

Eve is a prominent name in the smart home world, with the company responsible for a variety of devices covering everything from smart plugs and security cameras to smart light switches and motion sensors. Its catalog is growing even more enticing today, with the Eve Blinds Collection and MotionBlinds Upgrade Kit gaining Matter support.

The MotionBlinds Upgrade Kit will likely appeal to more customers, as it costs just $200 and works with most existing setups. Installation is as simple as removing your shades, placing the MotionBlinds Upgrade Kit through the roller rod, then reinstalling the unit on your windows. Blinds with a roller between 1.5 inches and 2.0 inches are compatible with the upgrade kit.

Read more
Philips Hue lights have a rare discount, but there’s a catch
A TV with ambient backlighting from Philips Hue.

One of the cool things about Philips Hue lighting is how much freedom it gives you over creating the perfect ambiance in your home. One of the cool things about buying Philips Hue products over at Best Buy right now is how much freedom Best Buy is giving you over what you buy to save money. Right now, when you buy two or more select Philips Hue smart lighting product in Best Buy's offer builder, you can save 15%. Tap the button below to start building your own bundle and see all of the products available. While they don't include the best smart light bulbs that Philips produces, you'll be amazed by the versatility of the lightstrips. Or keep reading for an overview of some of the top picks from the bundle.

What you should purchase from the Philips Hue offer builder
The place to start with this deal is the and the if you don't already have them. These are the devices that take your movies, music, and games and syncs them to your lights.

Read more
Samsung’s futuristic Jet Bot AI+ robot vacuum is $400 off
The Samsung Jet Bot AI+ Robot Vacuum cleaning the floor.

For families who need a lot of help in keeping their floors spotless, the Samsung Jet Bot AI+ is an investment that you'll want to make. It's pretty expensive at its original price of $1,300, but a $400 discount from Samsung pulls it down to $900. It's still not cheap, but this futuristic robot vacuum could be the only device that you need to keep dirt, debris, and pet hair away from your sight. You're going to have to complete your purchase for it as soon as possible though, as there's no telling when the offer expires.

Why you should buy the Samsung Jet Bot AI+ robot vacuum
The Samsung Jet Bot AI+ checks all the boxes in the features that are recommended by our guide on how to choose a robot vacuum. It's equipped with powerful sensors and object recognition technology that allows it to avoid furniture when it's cleaning your floors, while LiDAR technology allows it to create accurate maps of the rooms in your home so that it can properly navigate and clean more efficiently. The robot vacuum also features a five-layer filtration system that allows it to release clean air, and when it's done, it goes back to its Clean Station where it empties its contents.

Read more