The recently introduced Home Assistant Voice PE device is equipped with two microphones and a small speaker. However, the built-in speaker’s limitations in audio quality and volume are apparent, and a 3.5mm audio jack has been included for users to connect an external speaker.
To enhance flexibility and usability, I propose adding a step in the wizard to allow users to designate any media_player entity in their Home Assistant setup as the output device for the Voice PE.
Why This is Important:
The built-in speaker’s quality limits the effectiveness of responses, particularly in larger or noisier environments.
Many users already have robust media setups integrated into their Home Assistant ecosystem. Leveraging these systems ensures a better overall experience.
Similar functionality has been achieved with other devices, such as the M5 Atom Echo, showcasing its feasibility.
Would really love to see this! I know it’s of course possible to take control of the device via ESPHome, and add code as you see fit, but it would be so much easier if there was an entity under the device in HA, where you could choose any external media player for TTS.
Make it a device setting entity, possibly disabled by default, not needed in the onboarding wizard as this is aimed at getting started quickly. But at least make it easy to change without taking control of the device and missing out on automated updates etc.
Options:
“on device” (default)
or
Select any entity of the media_player domain.
When “on device” is selected keep the workings as is, but when an other media_player entity is selected playback all voice/media/sounds on the selected media player .
Additional you could use the build in speaker if the configured media player for playback is not reachable.