Apple Releases New 11.3 Software for the HomePod

[ersan191]

Others feel the same way? ATV out (via Airplay) was a pain in regards to its low volume in contrast to iCloud streaming.

After playing with it some more - it's still there, but less prevalent.
[doublepost=1522426928][/doublepost]

What exactly is streaming vs iCloud music that everyone is referring to????? They aren’t the same thing ? Do you mean your personal iCloud Music library vs Apple Music ?

They're talking about AirPlaying music from your Mac or Apple TV vs asking the HomePod to play it directly - I'm pretty confident that they are getting placebo'd though, because when you tell the HomePod to AirPlay something on iTunes it actually plays it on the device. The only difference is the volume setting changes when you connect AirPlay which is probably what they're experiencing.

 

[TigerMSTR]

Hey guys with a hompod on 11.3:

Please try to unplug the hompod for 20sec and then fire it up again! Is it just me, or does the sound of the HomePod sound better again? Maybe it’s a bug with the sound after the update. I have two and the one in the other room sounded better in my opinion. So i unplugged the other one to compare them. Now I think it sounds better? Please check back!

Oh wow I hope this isn’t true. Guess I’m never unplugging this thing!

 

[Christian_W]

Oh wow I hope this isn’t true. Guess I’m never unplugging this thing!

Be happy that your room isn’t messed up like mine for no reason. Can’t use it in this specific corner anymore. :/

 

[The Martian]

Very well said, I agree 100%.
As an audiophile I was extremely disappointed with the sound quality of the HomePod. Sure, I wasn’t expecting miracles from a small pod but the sound was far too boomy and muffled. It definitely needed to be improved.
I look forward to putting the update through its paces.
Accurate sound is the ultimate goal here. If people want to tweak and add artificial bass then sure, Apple should provide a setting for those that like boomy sound.

I agree with you here on the bass being too much at times but then I have never been one that likes the bass shaking the windows in my house. This is coming from someone that grew up with music always being played in the house and also playing in marching, jazz, and concert bands. I like the balanced sound that lets you hear every instrument.

From what I have heard so far I am more pleased with the new sound profile. I like being able to hear the vocals and mid-range being more pronounced. I am also the person that thinks todays sounds engineers don't make the vocals stand out enough and they are too many times muddled in with the background music. IMHO, when you are listening to music with vocals you want to hear the vocalist over the background music which is only supposed to support and backup the singer which is the main thing you want to hear.

I think there is more than enough bass coming from the speaker as I don't understand the attraction to the boom-boom-boom bass of today but that is just my humble opinion.

 

[Christian_W]

I agree with you here on the bass being too much at times but then I have never been one that likes the bass shaking the windows in my house. This is coming from someone that grew up with music always being played in the house and also playing in marching, jazz, and concert bands. I like the balanced sound that lets you hear every instrument.

From what I have heard so far I am more pleased with the new sound profile. I like being able to hear the vocals and mid-range being more pronounced. I am also the person that thinks todays sounds engineers don't make the vocals stand out enough and they are too many times muddled in with the background music. IMHO, when you are listening to music with vocals you want to hear the vocalist over the background music which is only supposed to support and backup the singer which is the main thing you want to hear.

I think there is more than enough bass coming from the speaker as I don't understand the attraction to the boom-boom-boom bass of today but that is just my humble opinion.

I think you guys don’t get my point. The sound hasn’t changed in some places and only a little bit in others. That is totally fine! BUT there are some problems in some specific rooms. Being placed in a normal perfectly works and I love the sound. But in a mother corner with a chimney the hompod completely looses his sound! No slightly decrease. I really mean a loss!

There are a few guys here with the same problem. Please use the feedback site to report this behavior with a detailed description of your room.

I moved the hp a little bit arround and the sound really came back. But only partially. The standing in front or the left is super balanced. Standing to the right (middle of the room) the balance drops massively!

So some rooms which sounded perfect before just got messed up. Would be great if those affected people could collect data and send it to Apple!

Thank you! This product needs good community feedback to built a product that pleases everyone’s taste in music.

So a EQ is a must have! Please report that!

 

[groovyf]

Still yet to update mine. I’ve an eclectic taste in music... rock, jazz, electronic, dance and I’m alone very partial to dub reggae (scientist, king tubby, prince jammy) and I’m concerned I’m may lose some of that bass hit.
However, as someone mentioned unplugging for a short while and let it reset the spatial awareness, then I may not notice.

 

[Christian_W]

Still yet to update mine. I’ve an eclectic taste in music... rock, jazz, electronic, dance and I’m alone very partial to dub reggae (scientist, king tubby, prince jammy) and I’m concerned I’m may lose some of that bass hit.
However, as someone mentioned unplugging for a short while and let it reset the spatial awareness, then I may not notice.

Yeah it was me and it worked. But not for every room or setting. The position I used to place one HomePod is not usable anymore. :/ Hope you have more luck with your room.

 

[MDF314159265]

I wonder if everyone who is stating a difference in streaming vs. iCloud has the EQ tweaked in their iDevice settings? Perhaps that is why some are hearing a difference and others aren’t?

 

[Endorphine88]

I am only updating one of my HomePods and will compare with the same song running on both when I get home. Stay tuned. I really hope lower frequencies were not intentionally turned down, because I personally thought there was nothing wrong with them. I do agree that mid-range and vocals could be a little more prominent though. We'll see. Updating first HomePod from work now.

 

[orbital~debris]

I’m more pissed Siri’s voice is so damn loud at low volumes.

I submitted feedback to Apple before HomePod was even available to buy, suggesting they offer a 'night' / 'whisper' mode based on time of day - or maybe 'do not disturb' settings - so you can ask Siri for the lights to be switched off without it waking people up.

 

[Delo3228]

Interesting that you word it like that, because after installing the update last night, My HomePod didn't sound any different, until moved it slightly and the volume dropped to what felt like half what it was before, and the EQ changed drastically.

Need to test some more tonight.

yes sound horrible now. is there anyway to take this update off and go back to previous update

 

[deeside81]

I’m not noticing any difference to the mid range, only much reduced bass. Song “anywhere” by Rita ora sounds terrible now and seems more muddied with much less bass and warmth. Acoustic songs still sound amazing as are the vocals. Some of the songs that have lots of base naturally sound like crap now. Maybe my ears need to recalibrate to the new signature.

 

[jonnyb098]

I submitted feedback to Apple before HomePod was even available to buy, suggesting they offer a 'night' / 'whisper' mode based on time of day - or maybe 'do not disturb' settings - so you can ask Siri for the lights to be switched off without it waking people up.

Theres an ambient light sensor built into Home Pod for the upper display. It should just be automatic that if the display brightness is all the way down to lower siri's voice. Or even if the music is set below 20 percent clearly the listener is in the same room and keep her from yelling.

 

[Christian_W]

I am only updating one of my HomePods and will compare with the same song running on both when I get home. Stay tuned. I really hope lower frequencies were not intentionally turned down, because I personally thought there was nothing wrong with them. I do agree that mid-range and vocals could be a little more prominent though. We'll see. Updating first HomePod from work now.

Please test some different positions. The hp adapts to small changes pretty drastically. I updated both. Stupid me. Never again.
[doublepost=1522438960][/doublepost]

yes sound horrible now. is there anyway to take this update off and go back to previous update

Try this: Unplug it for 20sec and then plug it back in. This could help. After that take the HomePod and slightly change it’s position. Check it with a constant song playing. The balance will adapt to it. But some places won’t sound as good as before!

 

[Endorphine88]

Please test some different positions. The hp adapts to small changes pretty drastically. I updated both. Stupid me. Never again.
[doublepost=1522438960][/doublepost]

I actually started reading about the update after I had already started it remotely and it was too late to stop it. I am having the worst anxiety right now and hope I don't come home to a flat-sounding speaker. Will compare to the other HomePod in my living room that is not yet updated and will move them around to re-calibrate as well. Seems like a lot of people have said it initially sounds flatter, but comes back to normal if you unplug or move it to trigger the accelerometer

 

[daijholt]

yes sound horrible now. is there anyway to take this update off and go back to previous update

Not as far as I know. If it helps, my HomePod sounds normal today. Obviously can’t directly compare to before the update now, but I’m not noticing any bad elements to the sound signature. Maybe it just needed time to adjust?

 

[Christian_W]

I actually started reading about the update after I had already started it remotely and it was too late to stop it. I am having the worst anxiety right now and hope I don't come home to a flat-sounding speaker. Will compare to the other HomePod in my living room that is not yet updated and will move them around to re-calibrate as well. Seems like a lot of people have said it initially sounds flatter, but comes back to normal if you unplug or move it to trigger the accelerometer

I thought it might help. But the sound stays the same, but is bound to its position. I have no idea why one HomePod sounds flat and the other one normal in the same room, but a different corner. The calibration is a bit messed up I think! After moving the one hp around the spot which wasn’t working anymore some bass returned, but the bass (no idea how and why) seems to be focusing to the middle and left side. I know that is not how bass works, but it has probably smth to do with the sound beaming.

Pls try to rotate the hp and try to focus certain areas. I‘m in direct contact with Apple and there seems to be a problem with the spacial awareness and beaming thing since the update.

 

[AbblePC]

Huh, one of the reasons I returned mine was too much bass.

My takeaway is they should probably give user more control over the bass.

I wouldn’t have returned a product for sound EQ issues, based solely on the assumption that it would never be updated via software as it is mainly controlled by.

Also, has anyone that updated to the newest software tried using it with the equalizer settings under the Playback settings in the Music app settings (EQ —>)on their iPhone?
I tested this and determined it was ineffectual when the HomePod was first released, but perhaps now they allow changing settings there as well with this new update.

 

[Christian_W]

I wouldn’t have returned a product for sound EQ issues, based solely on the assumption that it would never be updated via software as it is mainly controlled by.

Also, has anyone that updated to the newest software tried using it with the equalizer settings under the Playback settings in the Music app settings (EQ —>)on their iPhone?
I tested this and determined it was ineffectual when the HomePod was first released, but perhaps now they allow changing settings there as well with this new update.

Nope! No effect.

 

[Endorphine88]

I thought it might help. But the sound stays the same, but is bound to its position. I have no idea why one HomePod sounds flat and the other one normal in the same room, but a different corner. The calibration is a bit messed up I think! After moving the one hp around the spot which wasn’t working anymore some bass returned, but the bass (no idea how and why) seems to be focusing to the middle and left side. I know that is not how bass works, but it has probably smth to do with the sound beaming.

Pls try to rotate the hp and try to focus certain areas. I‘m in direct contact with Apple and there seems to be a problem with the spacial awareness and beaming thing since the update.

Ok, here's what I'm noticing after playing with the two HomePods for the past half hour or so. I kept both devices at 60% the entire time. I played Dinosaur Adventure 3D by Underworld on the bedroom one first (updated) and then I asked the one in the living room (not updated) to play the same song. The song does not sound flat on either one, but what I'm noticing is that the depth is lost a bit on the bedroom HomePod if I move around. It only sounds rich and deep if I stay in my usual spot on the bed. The living room HomePod does not sound as crisp, but lower frequencies remain consistent whether I move around the room or not.
After this initial test, I picked both devices up and moved them closer to a wall. Same song. I gave it about 30-40 seconds for calibration. Once the sound equalized a bit, the updated HomePod actually sounds better with more pronounced bass.
Third round. I put both HomePods in the centre of the living room on a coffee table (about 3 feet apart from each other).
I unplugged updated HomePod and on the non-updated one I played:
1. Kate Boy - Northern Lights (electronic and good test for lows)
2. Anderson Paak - Til it's over (good test for highs and mids)
3. Lights - Peace Sign (acoustic) (good test for vocals)
Then I unplugged non-updated and played the same songs on the restarted updated one.

What I've concluded so far is:
The update definitely enhances mids but highs also seem crisper and sometimes overbearing. This is not annoying in acoustic music, but in electronic music it is very palpable and sounds produced. Updated HomePod definitely sounds crisp and has more definition, but loses it's depth with some songs and it's a sound I'm not a fan of.
What set the HomePod aside for me was the depth coming out of such a small speaker - lows were rich, but not too bassy and overpowering (contrary to the ridiculous complaints I've read all over forums and reddit).
It's not enough of a change for me to hate the update and I need to spend more time listening to songs I know well to determine how much of a change it is. One thing's sure: there is a change to the sound signature, whether it's a tweak to an equalizer or a tweak to how beam forming works - it's there and it's significant.
It was not necessary and it is honestly not a good move on Apple not to include this in the update notes and just sneak it in.
More to come.

 

[canyonblue737]

Ok, here's what I'm noticing after playing with the two HomePods for the past half hour or so. I kept both devices at 60% the entire time. I played Dinosaur Adventure 3D by Underworld on the bedroom one first (updated) and then I asked the one in the living room (not updated) to play the same song. The song does not sound flat on either one, but what I'm noticing is that the depth is lost a bit on the bedroom HomePod if I move around. It only sounds rich and deep if I stay in my usual spot on the bed. The living room HomePod does not sound as crisp, but lower frequencies remain consistent whether I move around the room or not.
After this initial test, I picked both devices up and moved them closer to a wall. Same song. I gave it about 30-40 seconds for calibration. Once the sound equalized a bit, the updated HomePod actually sounds better with more pronounced bass.
Third round. I put both HomePods in the centre of the living room on a coffee table (about 3 feet apart from each other).
I unplugged updated HomePod and on the non-updated one I played:
1. Kate Boy - Northern Lights (electronic and good test for lows)
2. Anderson Paak - Til it's over (good test for highs and mids)
3. Lights - Peace Sign (acoustic) (good test for vocals)
Then I unplugged non-updated and played the same songs on the restarted updated one.

What I've concluded so far is:
The update definitely enhances mids but highs also seem crisper and sometimes overbearing. This is not annoying in acoustic music, but in electronic music it is very palpable and sounds produced. Updated HomePod definitely sounds crisp and has more definition, but loses it's depth with some songs and it's a sound I'm not a fan of.
What set the HomePod aside for me was the depth coming out of such a small speaker - lows were rich, but not too bassy and overpowering (contrary to the ridiculous complaints I've read all over forums and reddit).
It's not enough of a change for me to hate the update and I need to spend more time listening to songs I know well to determine how much of a change it is. One thing's sure: there is a change to the sound signature, whether it's a tweak to an equalizer or a tweak to how beam forming works - it's there and it's significant.
It was not necessary and it is honestly not a good move on Apple not to include this in the update notes and just sneak it in.
More to come.

I think there was enough complaints about the bass being overpowering and mids being muddled on the original HomePod that an adjustment made sense but 1) they should have OPTIONS for the end user as the subjective nature of audio isn't one size fits all 2) this tweak shouldn't have been as large all at once and 3) the user deserves to know when Apple makes changes to basic sound reproduction from a speaker they already purchased.

 

[Buerkletucson]

Ok, here's what I'm noticing after playing with the two HomePods for the past half hour or so. I kept both devices at 60% the entire time. I played Dinosaur Adventure 3D by Underworld on the bedroom one first (updated) and then I asked the one in the living room (not updated) to play the same song. The song does not sound flat on either one, but what I'm noticing is that the depth is lost a bit on the bedroom HomePod if I move around. It only sounds rich and deep if I stay in my usual spot on the bed. The living room HomePod does not sound as crisp, but lower frequencies remain consistent whether I move around the room or not.
After this initial test, I picked both devices up and moved them closer to a wall. Same song. I gave it about 30-40 seconds for calibration. Once the sound equalized a bit, the updated HomePod actually sounds better with more pronounced bass.
Third round. I put both HomePods in the centre of the living room on a coffee table (about 3 feet apart from each other).
I unplugged updated HomePod and on the non-updated one I played:
1. Kate Boy - Northern Lights (electronic and good test for lows)
2. Anderson Paak - Til it's over (good test for highs and mids)
3. Lights - Peace Sign (acoustic) (good test for vocals)
Then I unplugged non-updated and played the same songs on the restarted updated one.

What I've concluded so far is:
The update definitely enhances mids but highs also seem crisper and sometimes overbearing. This is not annoying in acoustic music, but in electronic music it is very palpable and sounds produced. Updated HomePod definitely sounds crisp and has more definition, but loses it's depth with some songs and it's a sound I'm not a fan of.
What set the HomePod aside for me was the depth coming out of such a small speaker - lows were rich, but not too bassy and overpowering (contrary to the ridiculous complaints I've read all over forums and reddit).
It's not enough of a change for me to hate the update and I need to spend more time listening to songs I know well to determine how much of a change it is. One thing's sure: there is a change to the sound signature, whether it's a tweak to an equalizer or a tweak to how beam forming works - it's there and it's significant.
It was not necessary and it is honestly not a good move on Apple not to include this in the update notes and just sneak it in.
More to come.

You using Airplay or streaming from iCloud music?

IMHO there is a drastic change when streaming from iCloud music with dramatic bass reduction........Airplay sounds better than before and is louder. Bass was never "boomy" on my Homepods.......but now it is all but gone. Depth is gone...sounds like a cheap speaker I can purchase for much less.

I don't like Apple messing with something like this......it's just plain wrong without a way to go back or change music Eq back to what it was previously.
I have (2) Homepods and this is not the same device I purchased any longer.

Very disappointed with Apple on this........I'm calling support.

 

[hushypushy]

My two cents:

11.3 sounds MUCH better!

Yes, the bass is turned down a little bit--but it was too high to begin with. Now it's just right.

The more important aspect is the rest of the sound: the midrange and especially the highs. I got my HomePod last week and, although I liked the sound signature overall, I was a bit disappointed that guitar-heavy rock had a really "sucked out" sound in the midrange, and cymbals sounded a little flat. No longer! Midrange is much clearer, and the cymbals and high notes sound crispy now. Glad I updated.

 

[Christian_W]

Ok, here's what I'm noticing after playing with the two HomePods for the past half hour or so. I kept both devices at 60% the entire time. I played Dinosaur Adventure 3D by Underworld on the bedroom one first (updated) and then I asked the one in the living room (not updated) to play the same song. The song does not sound flat on either one, but what I'm noticing is that the depth is lost a bit on the bedroom HomePod if I move around. It only sounds rich and deep if I stay in my usual spot on the bed. The living room HomePod does not sound as crisp, but lower frequencies remain consistent whether I move around the room or not.
After this initial test, I picked both devices up and moved them closer to a wall. Same song. I gave it about 30-40 seconds for calibration. Once the sound equalized a bit, the updated HomePod actually sounds better with more pronounced bass.
Third round. I put both HomePods in the centre of the living room on a coffee table (about 3 feet apart from each other).
I unplugged updated HomePod and on the non-updated one I played:
1. Kate Boy - Northern Lights (electronic and good test for lows)
2. Anderson Paak - Til it's over (good test for highs and mids)
3. Lights - Peace Sign (acoustic) (good test for vocals)
Then I unplugged non-updated and played the same songs on the restarted updated one.

What I've concluded so far is:
The update definitely enhances mids but highs also seem crisper and sometimes overbearing. This is not annoying in acoustic music, but in electronic music it is very palpable and sounds produced. Updated HomePod definitely sounds crisp and has more definition, but loses it's depth with some songs and it's a sound I'm not a fan of.
What set the HomePod aside for me was the depth coming out of such a small speaker - lows were rich, but not too bassy and overpowering (contrary to the ridiculous complaints I've read all over forums and reddit).
It's not enough of a change for me to hate the update and I need to spend more time listening to songs I know well to determine how much of a change it is. One thing's sure: there is a change to the sound signature, whether it's a tweak to an equalizer or a tweak to how beam forming works - it's there and it's significant.
It was not necessary and it is honestly not a good move on Apple not to include this in the update notes and just sneak it in.
More to come.

Thank you! That is exactly what I think and noticed! Depth is gone! No too much bass at all on the old version. The mids are a bit to loud in my opinion.

Please give Apple feedback on their feedback side to give the original sound back and include the new signature or further eq options as a individual choice!

Thanks for the test!!
[doublepost=1522477768][/doublepost]

You using Airplay or streaming from iCloud music?

IMHO there is a drastic change when streaming from iCloud music with dramatic bass reduction........Airplay sounds better than before and is louder. Bass was never "boomy" on my Homepods.......but now it is all but gone. Depth is gone...sounds like a cheap speaker I can purchase for much less.

I don't like Apple messing with something like this......it's just plain wrong without a way to go back or change music Eq back to what it was previously.
I have (2) Homepods and this is not the same device I purchased any longer.

Very disappointed with Apple on this........I'm calling support.

Same here. Give Apple the feedback on their page. They are listening!
[doublepost=1522478051][/doublepost]

My two cents:

11.3 sounds MUCH better!

Yes, the bass is turned down a little bit--but it was too high to begin with. Now it's just right.

The more important aspect is the rest of the sound: the midrange and especially the highs. I got my HomePod last week and, although I liked the sound signature overall, I was a bit disappointed that guitar-heavy rock had a really "sucked out" sound in the midrange, and cymbals sounded a little flat. No longer! Midrange is much clearer, and the cymbals and high notes sound crispy now. Glad I updated.

Nice to hear, but other genres lost their power. Needs to be an option!

Also the sounds extremely depends on the position now which is not right as well!

For others the original purchased sound is gone and can’t be archived again.

Pls feedback for a eq!

 

[Z3man]

My two cents:

11.3 sounds MUCH better!

Yes, the bass is turned down a little bit--but it was too high to begin with. Now it's just right.

The more important aspect is the rest of the sound: the midrange and especially the highs. I got my HomePod last week and, although I liked the sound signature overall, I was a bit disappointed that guitar-heavy rock had a really "sucked out" sound in the midrange, and cymbals sounded a little flat. No longer! Midrange is much clearer, and the cymbals and high notes sound crispy now. Glad I updated.

Thanks for the feedback, cant wait to get my new HomePod now, returned the first one as couldn't stand how it sounded, sounds like the update has improved things dramatically.