Sonnet has unveiled its latest creation, the Echo 13 Thunderbolt 5 SSD Dock, marking a pioneering advancement in docking stations. This new dock features four Thunderbolt 5 ports in addition to various I/O options. If you’re a user of the M4 Pro Mac mini or the M4 Pro/M4 Max MacBook Pro, you will benefit from the enhanced bandwidth that Thunderbolt 5 offers. Rest assured, even older Macs with Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4 will enjoy full compatibility with the Echo 13.
The Echo 13 boasts an M.2 SSD capable of achieving data transfer speeds of up to 6,100 MB/s, with storage options of 1TB, 2TB, or 4TB powered by Kingston NVMe SSDs. Additionally, it includes a 2.5Gb Ethernet connection and delivers up to 140W of power to compatible laptops like the MacBook Pro.
Here’s a comprehensive list of the I/O features included in the Echo 13:
- Four Thunderbolt 5 ports – one upstream and three downstream
- Four USB 3.2 Type-A ports
- 2.5Gb Ethernet (RJ45) port
- 3.5mm headset jack
- SD and microSD card slots
Compatibility of Echo 13 Thunderbolt 5
One of the key highlights of the Echo 13 is its Thunderbolt 5 compatibility, with Sonnet offering four physical ports. Thunderbolt 5 significantly enhances performance with double the data bandwidth of its predecessor, supplying a full 80Gbps of bi-directional data transfer, allowing multiple ports to operate simultaneously with improved efficiency.
Moreover, Thunderbolt 5 incorporates bandwidth boost technology for displays, enabling increased bandwidth in a single direction up to 120Gbps. The Echo 13 supports this bandwidth boost, making it ready to accommodate upcoming high-end display solutions, such as the soon-to-be-released LG UltraFine 6K Display.
Regarding display capabilities, the Echo 13 supports connections for up to two 8K displays, two 6K displays, or three 4K displays, contingent upon the specifications of the connected host computer.
If you do not have a Thunderbolt 5-capable Mac, there’s no need to worry. All ports are compatible with Thunderbolt 5, 4, and 3, making it easy to connect various accessories and peripherals. These same ports also accommodate USB 4 V2, USB4, and USB3 devices, as well as USB displays.
It’s worth mentioning that two of the Echo 13’s downstream Thunderbolt ports, positioned on the back of the unit, offer up to 15W each for charging and powering bus-powered devices. The third downstream port, located on the front alongside the 140W upstream port, delivers up to 60W of power for rapid charging of the latest tablets and smartphones.
Furthermore, the Echo 13 includes four USB 3.2 Type-A ports, three of which can provide 10Gbps and 7.5W of power, even if the computer is powered down.
Availability of Sonnet Echo 13
Sonnet is preparing to ship the Echo 13 Thunderbolt 5 SSD Dock with the 4TB SSD option in limited quantities later this month, followed by a larger shipment in mid-March 2025. The dock will be available at reseller partners with a retail price of $669.99. For those who don’t require as much storage, the 1TB and 2TB models will be released in mid-March, priced at $399.99 and $499.99, respectively.
I have been a long-time admirer of Sonnet’s hardware, particularly their docks. I frequently use their 20-port SuperDock (review), which is exceptionally robust and offers an extensive range of I/O options. Needless to say, I am eager to test the Echo 13 with a Thunderbolt 5 Mac. What are your thoughts? Share your opinions in the comments below.
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