I got my first Echo Dot a month or so back. I really knew nothing about them until visiting my nephews place where they had a couple. I was amazed how you just ask for a song etc and it instantly starts playing. Needless to say when I got home I ordered one. Since the sound wasn't that great I connected it to my JVC bookshelf stereo and the sound was amazing. Not being content with just that I orded an Echo Plus for the living room, much better sounding, plus it came with a free Philips Hue lightbulb. Since then I got the newer version of the Echo Plus and just the other day there was a sale on the 3rd gen Dots with bonus switches so I got two more of those.. I find I have music playing all over the house now whereas I hadn't been for the last few years.. this is so easy.
ps; It isn't perfect. I've had some issues with the switches stop working. And a deal I got on some colored lights and switches I ordered just would not connect or when connected wouldn't work properly and had to return them.