Apple Reintroduced the HomePod a Year Ago Today

[MacAddict1978]

Love the HomePods, still wrapping my head around a one year anniversary article for a speaker. Am I allowed to say that? I also like the minis, for just easy speaker placement in any small room.

You are allowed.

The interesting part is that it's the 1-year anniversary of a re-vamped version of a failed product that is the same price as the failed product with lesser quality everything, save a few sensors tossed (that no most people aren't using because almost no one bothers with HomeKit in the smart home) all for the same exact price as the superior product that no one really bought until it went on fire sale. This year is not so interesting - it will be next year to see if it survives 2 years or 3 years. $199 I bet it would have been a hit. The Sonos One rated a notch below sound quality of the original home pod, but above the new and it's replacement is far superior for less money.

 

[MacAddict1978]

I want them to make a medium sized HomePod for $199 that I can buy as a stereo pair to use with my MacBook Pro when I have it docked via TB at my desk. Although maybe two $99 HomePod Minis would work.

Does anyone use HomePods with their Mac? Is it easy to work with since it's wireless or a pain? I need to get some kind of decent, smaller desktop speakers since replacing my old Intel iMac and 16" MBP with this single, beastly M3 Max. The speakers are good for the size but I'd like something better, especially since the sound comes from off center now since it's to the left of my two displays.

They should be selling the current HomePod for that price. It never produced sound that was noticeably better than other high end speakers that all sell for a hundred less - Boes, Sonos, Sony....and those have actual smarts.

 

[Ethosik]

While I like mine, they need to fix the atrocious audio delay. My Bose Bluetooth speaker doesn’t have this.

Example: I can’t use HomePod to output sound while working in Final Cut Pro. But I can use my Bose Bluetooth speakers.

 

[Menthol]

Too little to late. I got tired of waiting so I choose Sonos and I was not wrong. Amazing sound, much better than HomePods and very classy, I love the design and the overall performance, they are truly a piece of engineering. Considering that music or sound can be playing at all times in all the home, they not expensive at all.

Which Sonos model are you talking about -- the 300s? I hear the sound is amazing, but the design does not look attractive to my eyes. (That wouldn't stop me from buying them though, if they sound as advertised.)

 

[coachgq]

I had a v1 and v2... Decided to go with Sonos. Blew it away.

I agree. They do make great sound equipment. But I traded about $1800 in equipment for $450 and used the cash on something else that I can’t even remember. Well shoot! I guess I should have kept the Sonos. 😂

 

[coachgq]

I want them to make a medium sized HomePod for $199 that I can buy as a stereo pair to use with my MacBook Pro when I have it docked via TB at my desk. Although maybe two $99 HomePod Minis would work.

Does anyone use HomePods with their Mac? Is it easy to work with since it's wireless or a pain? I need to get some kind of decent, smaller desktop speakers since replacing my old Intel iMac and 16" MBP with this single, beastly M3 Max. The speakers are good for the size but I'd like something better, especially since the sound comes from off center now since it's to the left of my two displays.

I attempted to use HomePod mini for my Mac mini, but for me the Studio display speakers are better and don’t require any extra setup.

 

[IllegitimateValor]

Decreasing the quantity of microphones and speakers, while still failing to get it under $200… feels like shrinkflation.

I fear Amazon and Google have won this generation of smart home accessories

 

[k1121j]

I bought two. Am I the only person that feels like they moved backwards?

 

[SkydiveGuy]

Now if they can only make the stereo pair work reliably with the Appel TV 4K. I have to restart the pair almost daily because they stop working.

 

[cjgrif]

Now if they can only make the stereo pair work reliably with the Appel TV 4K. I have to restart the pair almost daily because they stop working.

I was having the same issue until I updated to the new Home architecture - they have been much more stable since.

 

[rx7dude]

This is the main reason I returned my first generation one. I have a huge lossless library hosted on my network by a Mac Mini media server, but HomePod only wants to stream Apple Music files. The way Apple matches music is also half-baked. While Apple Music or iTunes Match will match the songs, this isn't recognized in the library. If I open one of my matched albums in Apple Music, I see the option to add to library, even though my copy of the album is already matched and in the library. There's no way to tell HomePod to use a home media library instead of streaming. It's such a frustrating, half-baked product.

I also have a local iTunes library on my MP was about to buy a HomePod to play music in the kitchen. Does it work with the old remote app and airplay?

 

[SBlue1]

And still no EQ, no audiogram use, no L/R balance for stereo pairs, no nightmode (less bass after 9pm)...

 

[Cam Elppa]

Is that correct that it has worse wifi (wifi 4) than the original with wifi 5??

 

[AeroEd]

Replaced a few failing 1st-gen HomePods with the new models. You can hear the price cut in the sound quality. The old ones had a rich, warm sound while the new ones have a more sterile sound.

Another minor nit is going from glossy to matte plastic for the display/control top. Looks and feels cheap compared to the originals.

Not enough negatives to consider alternatives plus, y'know, Apple ecosystem lock-in and all that.

A few failing? I thought "it just works" 🤔

 

[svish]

It was good that Apple reintroduced the HomePod. Don't think an updated device without any additional screen/display will be launched soon.

 

[Shanghaichica]

Now if they can only make the stereo pair work reliably with the Appel TV 4K. I have to restart the pair almost daily because they stop working.

Never really had this issue.

 

[whitby]

I have 7 of the original Homepods and 1 of the newer V2. I also have a pair of Sonos ERA 300s and a pair of ERA 100s plus a single One. I am also an audio geek but my opinion is not really any more relevant than observations from non audio geeks, but I have listened to and designed loudspeaker systems in the past. My current higher end system has Martin Logan electrostatics and a Krell amplifier with various D to A and streaming systems attached. Thus my observations below are based on my listening experience and particular likes and dislikes (all auditioned in the same room position using what tuning system was provided: Apple continuous monitoring, Sonos using their iPhone App):

1. Orginal Homepods: Neutral sound with slightly recessive mid range. Mid and upper range are very neutral with a low end that is authoritative which goes amazingly deep. In fact that lower end is quite compelling and makes the system very credible. Siri is useless and the fact that they are limited to AirPlay (low bit rate compressed music) means they are neither suitable for serious listening nor flexible enough to be your only speaker but are still great fun and excellent for casual listening.

2. HomePods V2: As for the original HomePods but with the following caveats: Sound is slightly more forward with slightly more presence which gives the illusion the low end is reduced. Has lost some of its neutrality. The upper end sounds slightly emphasised and can sound gritty on certain mixes. I prefer the original to the newer version due to their more neutral sound.

3. Sonos ERA 300: Forward sound with strong presence Giving them a very authoritative sound. Bass is a little boomy in the upper low frequencies 100 to 150 Hz. Do not have the extended low frequency response observed in the HomePod which is surprising given their size. Clean sounding but that upper low frequency emphasis bothers me. Software is excellent and the ability to use with AirPlay, bluetooth, other streaming services or direct (with an adapter) is a major advantage over the HomePods. Hey Sonos is a nuisance and has be turned off, but Alexa integration works well. In general I prefer the HomePods and their neutral sound with excellent low frequency performance. However the ERA 300 are a great 2nd choice for casual listening.

4. Sonos ERA 100: Similar sound balance as the ERA 300, but with less low frequency extension. However the lack of the upper low frequency lift makes them less tiring to listen too. In a way I preferred them to the ERA 300, but they do not have the authority to fill a larger room.

I emphasize that these are my opinions only, but it leads me to believe that if you want a good sounding speaker with decent software and connection options and reasonable Smart speaker options, the Sonos ERA series is the best choice but if you are in the Apple Eco System and are not worried by Siri or the fact that the only way to listen to them is via AirPlay, then the best sounding are the HomePods.

 

[Unggoy Murderer]

Isn’t there a slight audio delay for games?

I fiddled around with my PS5 audio settings and was able to eliminate it completely.

 

[Edsel]

I still have the Apple iPod HiFi speaker and, if properly placed in your room, it sounds awesome. However, the new HomePods will envelope your room with magnificent music that the iPod HiFi could not. I was an picky audiophile in the 1980s-1990s and when Apple introduced the HomePods I never looked back. I'm enjoying music now rather than tweaking audio equipment.

 

[MistrSynistr]

Have stereo pair of OG HomePods. NEVER had an issue with them. Sound amazing. Everyone who comes by to watch movies asks what the hell they are and want to get them.

 

[Macbookey]

They are not perfect but I love mine.

Same. For the price point and integration with my Apple gear, I adore my HomePod. So much wasted potential in terms of software, but as an Apple Music user and one that is dependant on stock productivity apps, the HomePod gives me something that the competition does not. Siri is an aside with this device, so it didn’t factor into my buying decision. But for adding quick notes, calendar events, and reminders, it works great way more often than not. HomeKit has been reliable for me as well.

 

[spetznatz]

Yeah, I've got four OGs – two mono and one stereo pair. I hardly ever use the smart speaker functionality, but the sound quality is mesmerising, especially as a stereo pair. Gonna get another OG so I can go stereo in the kitchen...