As far as the Echo vs Dot for listening to music goes, I think the Echo sounds good up to about volume level 5 or possibly even 6 depending on what genre of music I'm listening to. Volume levels above that sound bad on the Echo. So a Dot attached to good speakers will be better for rocking or jamming out. If you are an old fart like me who rocked out in the 1970s but not so much these days, then the Echo is a good choice. If you are younger, or so old you are going through your second childhood, and still want to rattle the windows in your home and pi$$ off the neighbors, then the Echo is probably not your best choice. Just my opinion, YMMV of course. And another thing, the base sound is pretty tame in the Echo.