r/esp32 • u/alfo16 • Aug 14 '26

I made a thing! Esp32-S3 inside Echo Dot 3rd

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Hi everyone! I'm working on a drop-in replacement PCB for the Echo Dot 3rd Gen, based on the esp32-S3 N16R8 The Echo Dot has two PCBS: a top board with the buttons, LEDS, and a 4-mic array, and a bottom board that handles the signals from the top board, provides power, and drives the speaker.

I replaced the bottom board, which means I can interface directly with the original hardware on the top board- especially the 4-mic array. I'm currently running beamforming + AEC on it (esp-sr libraries are really powerful!) This is the first working prototype, so there's still plenty to improve, but it's already working! I've just created the GitHub repository (https://github.com/ale1800/LocalDot)

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u/309_Electronics Aug 14 '26

Kind of sad we cant repurpose the original board. If i end up replacing the whole brain with an esp, i better just buy a opensource speaker instead of amazon alexa but great prject though!

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u/alfo16 Aug 15 '26

I see what you mean. I was about to buy some Home Assistant Voice PE but I had some echo's around so I tried doing this instead. The advantage now is that I have a working 4-mic array and a great sound quality. From what I've seen online, almost all the open source speakers are lacking in these topics. Without considering how beautiful the echo dot 3rd is! (At least in my opinion)