Apple Now Selling Refurbished 2023 HomePod in U.S. for $249

[arefbe]

LOL. Instead of an unsubstantiated claim, maybe you can put some information behind this statement. When I compare based on quality and audio quality, I can not see any truth in what you say. Sure, you can get something cheaper like some Sonos speakers, but they are not in the same class. You can upgrade the Sonos speakers to a better model, but then they are more expensive. So yah.

If you provide no data whatsoever, it is hard to agree with what you say. so please, help us all out. Prove your point, thanks.

Offhand, not being able to use the HomePod as a bluetooth speaker comes to mind. To listen to music on your iPhone, you've got to turn on Wi-Fi and Handoff. And you must be signed in with the same Apple ID on both devices for Handoff to work. Bluetooth is simply a more straightforward process.

 

[arefbe]

Eh, I disagree by $50. I think $199 would be a great price for these. I would buy two more in a heartbeat if they got listed for that again (that's what I snagged the originals for). $249 isn't too bad, but $299 is definitely steep considering the best way to run them is in pairs.

I agree. $200 new, out of the box, would be a good starting price point.

 

[arefbe]

Other smart speakers come with an smart assistant, not Siri.

They also usually have some form of Bluetooth or analog input. This has neither.

This is a Siri Speaker with Apple Music support. If you aren't 100% invested in both of those ecosystems, it's not a good product.

Oh, I think it's a good product. But for the limitations you outlined, it's definitely overpriced.

 

[4odomi]

Apple today started selling refurbished second-generation HomePod models in the U.S. for the first time since the speaker was released in January. The refurbished models are priced at $249, down from $299 for a brand new model.

Apple began selling refurbished HomePods in the U.K., Australia, Japan, and many other countries last week. Availability has yet to begin in Canada.

Apple says its refurbished HomePods undergo full functionality testing, and they are inspected, cleaned, and repackaged in a plain white box with the power cord and documentation. The refurbished HomePods are covered by Apple's limited one-year warranty policy, and they are eligible for extended AppleCare+ coverage.

The second-generation HomePod has a similar design as the original HomePod that was discontinued in 2021, but with a larger backlit touch surface, two fewer tweeters, two fewer microphones, an indoor temperature and humidity sensor, and a few other changes. For more details about the speaker, read our HomePod roundup.

Article Link: Apple Now Selling Refurbished 2023 HomePod in U.S. for $249

Just ordered my second one 😊

 

[4odomi]

I really want to get the new HomePod but I’m going to wait until Apple does their annual Black Friday sale this year to buy a new one

In past years, Apple has included a $100 Apple gift card with the purchase of a new HomePod from their store so the net cost would be $199 - 33% discount is definitely a great deal so hopefully they do it again this year

But it's not a discount off the actual Home Pod you're buying!
It's a discount off the second item you're buying eg; a 2nd home pod for a stereo pair, in which case they will cost you the same as 2 refurbished ones

 

[4odomi]

Now that it has been a while, how does the sound of the new ones compare to OG? Any other major benefits of new vs OG?

Never owned an OG, however Gen2 is brilliant for music, the hand off is absolutely fantastic and now you can request Siri to play from your other music app.
I've just ordered a second one for my partner's house

 

[4odomi]

Because the only way input source is via AirPlay. It's a legitimate constraint and a valid criticism. Regardless, the quality of audio that comes from a paired set of HomePod's is very impressive given the price.

It is a constraint if your wifi goes down (once or twice a year) that's true, however audio quality trumps all for me, after all that's what I bought it for, to listen to music.
It also has it's pluses, like the hand off, you have to use it to appreciate it and now you can request Siri to play third party apps, (that was a bug barer for me), it really has no constraints from my point of view!

 

[4odomi]

I’m about to buy a new TV and wonder if I should get a couple of these instead of a sound bar. We will only watch TV via an appleTV. Anyone have experience of with setup that they would relate? Pro or con?

Depends on the size of your TV room, if it's small to medium, definitely get a pair.

 

[4odomi]

I agree. $200 new, out of the box, would be a good starting price point.

How many speakers or woofers, would you like to lose at that starting price?
I suspect you've never listened to the Home Pod 2 😏

 

[4odomi]

Offhand, not being able to use the HomePod as a bluetooth speaker comes to mind. To listen to music on your iPhone, you've got to turn on Wi-Fi and Handoff. And you must be signed in with the same Apple ID on both devices for Handoff to work. Bluetooth is simply a more straightforward process.

Clutching at straws here my friend
99.9999999% have always wifi switched on, unless on a plane.
Bluetooth doesn't offer Lossless Audio! and you're factually incorrect, as of IOS 17, you can ask Siri on the home pod to play any music app on your phone, without the necessity of a hand off

 

[svish]

Good to know. Price could have been lower.

 

[arefbe]

Clutching at straws here my friend
99.9999999% have always wifi switched on, unless on a plane.
Bluetooth doesn't offer Lossless Audio! and you're factually incorrect, as of IOS 17, you can ask Siri on the home pod to play any music app on your phone, without the necessity of a hand off

If what you say is true, I may just have to get one and try it out. When it's on sale, of course!😉 Thank you!

 

[gumbyhw]

Offhand, not being able to use the HomePod as a bluetooth speaker comes to mind. To listen to music on your iPhone, you've got to turn on Wi-Fi and Handoff. And you must be signed in with the same Apple ID on both devices for Handoff to work. Bluetooth is simply a more straightforward process.

Nonstarter if the HomePod is tied to a single appleid. Unless you live alone I suppose. Ever had a friend come over and say, “listen to this“?

 

[awshucks]

I’m about to buy a new TV and wonder if I should get a couple of these instead of a sound bar. We will only watch TV via an appleTV. Anyone have experience of with setup that they would relate? Pro or con?

I would recommend getting a soundbar instead. I have an Apple TV 4k with 2 HomePod minis, and experience regular problems. Sometimes sound will not come out of one speaker. Also, it sometimes will not mute all the way with the remote. Right now, it has a problem where most of the sound is coming out of the left speaker.