▷Two weeks with Asus Lyra Trio and Lyra Voice: are they worth buying? 🥇

I mesh systems, consisting of a series of routers that communicate with each other, they are now widespread. There are several reasons: they guarantee excellent coverage, are simple to install and are supported by an intuitive application. All these features are also found in Asus Lyra Trio. To make the test even more interesting, however, we decided to combine the small units of the Taiwanese giant also Lyra Voice, the router that integrates a Bluetooth speaker and the virtual assistant Amazon Alexa.

Design and construction quality

The first impact with Lyra Trio it was a bit disconcerting. The shape is in fact quite unusual but in reality it is the result of careful studies: the pyramid design of the antenna minimizes interference and transmits the signal in every direction, like that the coverage is uniform and perfect even in multi-storey houses. Once connected, the LEDs located just below the 3 arms of the unit will transform the units into small lamps, thus giving a touch of light and color to your homes. But be careful: you don't define the color of the LEDs. The latter in fact depends on the state of your network.

Three inputs available on each component of Asus Lyra Trio: one dedicated to power, a LAN port and a LAN / WAN. This means that each unit can become the main one but, at the same time, it limits the usage a bit. In fact, it is not possible to connect more than one device to the same satellite.

Asus Lyra Voice instead it is completely different. We are faced with a massive cylinder with the controls related to the volume and the voice assistant in the center and to the sides instead the stereo speakers covered in fabric. There are also three ports in this: power, LAN and WAN.

In this case we don't have any steady lighting, just a central LED that will light up when you query Alexa.

Installation is child's play

With Lyra Voice available there are two alternatives during the installation phase: you can choose to consider it as a router or a satellite unit, a satellite that can be incorporated into the network created with Lyra Trio or that can act as a repeater if it has an Asus modem router.

I chose to make it the main unit for convenience: having it near the router - in the living room - allowed me to keep it on the only free piece of furniture in the house and also to talk to Alexa at virtually any time of day. And then, let's face it, Lyra Voice, in its simple elegance and sobriety, couldn't stay anywhere else.

At this point you may be wondering how to install. It's actually very simple: download the Asus Lyra app and follow the directions. The app helps you to configure the first node of the network - in this case Lyra Voice - and then to connect all the satellites you need, specifically the 3 included in the Lyra Trio package. No effort, no problem and no complex parameters to remember. Indeed, you will be the one to define the network name and password, but also to devise the credentials to access the control panel.

One caveat: for the sake of our test I tried to install all four devices, but if you have a small apartment (around 50 square meters), two will be enough.

Download QR-Code ‎ASUS Lyra Developer: ASUS Price: Free Two weeks with Asus Lyra Trio and Lyra Voice: are they worth buying?

Download QR-Code ASUS Lyra Developer: ASUSTeK Computer inc. Price: Free

You will forget you have a mesh network

The thing I loved most about Lyra Voice and Trio is theirs "Invisibility". Once the network is set up, you will forget that you have a mesh system. In fact, the connection is perfect in every corner of the house and the system has never given me problems.

For the control freaks, on the other hand, it will be enough the application. In a few clicks you can check which smartphones, tablets, PCs or devices in your Smart Home are connected to your WiFi. The app also helps you to set traffic priorities and no, to do that you won't have to go crazy. At your disposal you have a list of activities: you just have to put them in order. Do you want to have a perfect streaming every time? Just drag it to the top. Do you prefer to prioritize video games? You can do it in an instant.

There is also the possibility of creating a network for guests, activate the DTS (Digital Theater System) for Lyra Voice or generate a QR Code for quick password sharing. You can even add family members and associate each individual device. A great way to block content or manage the online activity of the little ones.

Insomma, thethe app really contains everything you need. There is only one flaw: the translation is a little flawed. Occasionally you will come across a few sentences in German, but don't panic: nothing that could compromise the user experience.

And Alexa?

Ok, the network works very well, but how does Lyra Voice behave? The audio quality is definitely superior than the one offered by the Amazon Echo or my Google Home Mini. The volume is higher, the sound is fuller and the bass deeper. In short, the speaker is really promoted.

The problem, at least for me, is Alexa. There have been differences between me and Amazon's voice assistant for months now. The reasons are mainly two: on the one hand it interprets commands less precisely than Google Assistant, on the other hand it lacks that pinch of sympathy that makes the competitor more human.

However, this certainly does not depend on Asus. Indeed, Lyra Voice is, on balance, an excellent router, a good speaker and allows you to have a virtual assistant that yes, it has its problems, but still does its job well enough.

Asus Lyra Trio: to buy it or not to buy it?

It's time to draw conclusions and get to the point. To do this, I obviously chose to separate the two products so as to be as precise as possible.

Let's start with Asus Lyra Trio. Excellent mesh network, nice design and simple and clear application. In short, it is difficult to ask him for more. All this, however, has a very important cost: well 320 euros in the price list. Well spent if you have a very large house, while for small apartments - a bit like mine - it is certainly an excessive expense.

Asus Lyra Trio

Pro

Nice design and compact size
Excellent network quality
Intuitive semplice ed app
Easy to install

Cons

They are not tri-band
The app has phrases in German

Asus Lyra Voice: to buy it or not to buy it?

Very similar to the speech for Asus Lyra Voice. Also in this case we have an extremely valid product, both as a router (or satellite) and as a speaker. Sure, Alexa isn't my favorite assistant, but it's still a great help.

The advantage over Lyra Trio is that you don't need a huge house to use it. You can buy Lyra Voice only and connect it to your modem taking advantage of all its features. All this by spending 289 euro.