Expert’s Rating
Our Verdict
Back in May when I look at severalThunderbolt 2 docks , Sonnet’sEcho 15 + Thunderbolt 2 Dockhad yet to be let go of .
The Echo 15 + is now useable . It ’s more than just a sorrel ; it ’s a braggart boxwood full of stuff and nonsense that users in a production circumstance will appreciate .
Drive selection
Sonnet offers eight different mannequin of the Echo+ . First , you resolve if you require an Echo 15 + with a videodisk burner , a Blu - ray burner , or a Blu - ray drive . Then you may configure the case of store gimmick you want :
DVD burner plus:
Blu-ray burner plus:
Blu-ray drive plus:
The Echo 15 + uses an internal SATA connection , so you could utilize just about any modernistic backbreaking drive . There ’s space for one 3.5 - in drive or two 2.5 - column inch drive . Sonnet also include climb jailer and a Torx wrench for opening up the Echo 15 + .
Digital dispersion is the best-loved method acting of data file transport nowadays , but optical culture medium is still a workable option , especially if you ’re dealing with large high - definition video file cabinet . Optical media can also be used for short - term archiving . If you do n’t want an opthalmic drive , however , you ’re out of hazard : Sonnet does n’t offer the Echo 15 + without an opthalmic driving force .
Having one box that domiciliate an optical driving force and hard drive and also acts as a dock is a great way to disregard down the clutter on your desk , even if that boxful measures a goodly 8.3 by 8.9 by 3.1 inches . The Echo 15 + apply a large power brick that measures 7 by 2.8 by 1.5 inches , so project your floor infinite under your desk consequently .
Front ports
The Echo 15 + has two USB 3 porthole on the front panel . ( Sonnet articulate that all of the Echo 15 + ’s USB port have a 7.5 - James Watt mental ability . ) There ’s also a 3.5 millimetre headphone jack ( optical compatible ) , and a 3.5 mm microphone jack .
Front of the Sonnet Echo 15 + Thunderbolt 2 Dock .
Most of the Thunderbolt 2 docks I ’ve seen ( as well as theolder Thunderbolt 1 docks I ’ve reviewed ) have an well-fixed - memory access USB port ( either on the front or side ) and a front - front headphone Jack-tar . The Echo 15 + is one of the few docks with a second front USB port , which is handy .
Rear ports
The back of the Echo 15 + is where all the natural action is . Here ’s a listing of the connectors .
rearward ports on the Sonnet Echo 15 + Thunderbolt 2 Dock .
Your Mac connects to one of the Thunderbolt 2 ports ; you may then tie your Thunderbolt peripherals to the other port . If you have multiple peripherals , you candaisy - chainthem . And as with the other Thunderbolt 2 dock I ’ve reviewed , you could link up a 4 K monitor to the Echo 15 + .
Sonnet ThunderLok
The Echo 15 + is the first Thunderbolt machine I ’ve seen with a method for fix the Thunderbolt cable connection . Sonnet offers theThunderLok , which is fundamentally a arm that fits over a Thunderbolt cable television connector . The sleeve has a built - in thumbscrew that attaches to a piece of tail cakehole next to each Thunderbolt interface on the Echo 15 + . They ’re sold one by one ( $ 8 each or $ 13 for two ) and they ’re worth the money , especially if you ’re putting the Echo 15 + ’s memory twist and optical driveway to heavy use . ( I have an iMac I utilise for testing ( in addition to a Retina MacBook Pro ) and on legion occasions I ’ve had a Thunderbolt cable length slip out of the iMac as I extend to around to join or disconnect a gimmick . I ’d screw to have a way to guarantee a Thunderbolt connection to a Mac . )
alas , Sonnet does n’t include a Thunderbolt cable with the dock . The companyoffersfor purchase both copper and optical Thunderbolt cables , ranging in distance and price .
Daily use
During examination , I never had any problems with the Echo 15 + . Connected devices always crop without any performance effect , though if youdaisy - chainThunderbolt devices , you ’ll experience some f number offspring disregardless of the bobtail you are using .
The Echo 15 + call for the installation of a Mac driver that youdownload from Sonnet ’s website . The software installs a ready to hand menu taproom icon that you’re able to apply to eject all get on twist that are connected via the Echo 15 + all at once . The software ’s liberation notes advocate that the driver “ should only be run in OS X 10.9 and above . ”
The Echo 15 + has a fan to keep its home cool . The fan is relatively quiet , but then again , no other Thunderbolt dock has a buff ( and no other Thunderbolt dockage has a storage embayment and ocular drive ) . But if you ask infrangible silence from your machine , you wo n’t get it from the Echo 15 + . [ Note ( 1/12/16 ): Sonnet has made improvements to the Echo 15 + to significantly reduce the amount of noice made by the fan . ]
While the Echo 15 + is a self-aggrandizing box , it ’s potent enough to support a video display sit on top of it . Sonnet says it can suffer a show up to 34 - column inch , and can also deport a Mac Pro or a 27 - inch iMac .
Sense of scale : An iPhone 5 on top of the Sonnet Echo 15 + Thunderbolt 2 Dock .
Bottom line
For production surround , the Echo 15 + Thunderbolt 2 Dock is a ponderous - duty handy twist . Having an all - in - one box helps edit out down on the desk clutter , and the Echo 15 + has plenty of ports for your Mac workstation .
