Apple's Phil Schiller on HomePod: We Want to Create a New Kind of Music Experience in the Home That Sounds Incredible

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Yet, I got this bud, it does use aac,
everything that follows in your sentence is thus to be disregarded.
https://mashable.com/2015/06/30/apple-music-sound-quality/#.CuEDyCP3aqN

And seriously, anyone who goes all blah blah blah about 256 kbs aac versus lossless on 99% of systems and with 99% of ears are delusional.

The production chain (recording, mastering) and then the reproduction one (D/A, Speakers,Room Acoustic,Ears) has a lot more to do with what you actually hear than anything else.

If you have a golden ears in a perfect room and have a very high end system, you may see hear a difference, which is likely an artifact of how this very high end reproduction chain colors the slight differences.

OK, so do tell us: Apple is WRONG for having created and still supporting the Apple Lossless format, right?

 

[69650]

99% of listeners don't care. For the vast majority of users, a normal 128bit MP3 is perfectly fine.

Apple markets to the average user. They're the largest percentage of the market and the largest potential to make money.

Just look at how going after hi-fi audio has worked out for Tidal.

If that is the case, Apple cannot claim the HomePod delivers great sound because that is technically impossible. Crap In = Crap Out.

 

[Dekema2]

99% of listeners don't care. For the vast majority of users, a normal 128bit MP3 is perfectly fine.

Apple markets to the average user. They're the largest percentage of the market and the largest potential to make money.

Just look at how going after hi-fi audio has worked out for Tidal.

I don't know about you, but I dislike playing 128kb audio on a 5.1-7.1 channel surround system, or in my car. For me a minimum of 320kb is necessary.

 

[citysnaps]

I wonder how it would sound in Apple store.. a store that's always crowded is not a good place to demo a speaker that touts of beamforming and reflection from wall to give you the sense huge soundstage. Are they gonna have a little demo room in the back like how Bose does in Frys electronics?

If you’re halfway serious and curious about HomePod, simply purchase one and try it in your home risk-free for 14 days. Easy. And a much better assessment.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Schiller acts as if this is like hearing music through some Magneplanars and a vintage Marantz tube amp.

That's his job. He's head of Marketing. If Apple decided to box poop, it would be his job to have a good chunk of us touting "best poop ever" and "shut up and take my money." He's supposed to come off as the ultimate Apple fan... the supreme leader of all Apple fans everywhere.

And yes, a few guys around here seem to be vying for that job... and doing it even better than him... for free.

 

[Borddeleau54]

I don't know about you, but I dislike playing 128kb audio on a 5.1-7.1 channel surround system, or in my car. For me a minimum of 320kb is necessary.

It's all in your head. Listeners don't hear a difference between 128kb and 320 kb according to ALL studies on the matter. They don't even hear a difference between a CD and mp3!
[doublepost=1517425082][/doublepost]But if you tell people that mp3 is inferior, prior to listening, then the "see" a difference. All in their head...

 

[legacyb4]

And what’s special? I’m sure it will sound good. But that alone isn’t going to make it a success. Alexa is a far more useful assistant. It does more. It works with more third party products. It works with multiple music services. HomePod is a me too product with a narrower feature set than the competition and a higher price. Like I said, I don’t think it will resonate beyond the most hardcore Apple fans who are eager to buy a new Apple product, regardless of what it is.

I think you missed my point, to be honest.

I'm betting that most people that have expressed interest aren't interested "regardless"; they are interested precisely because the Homepod potentially ticks off the features that Alexa/Google miss which are a priority for them (ie. sound quality, integration with Apple Music, reasonable price for quality, better company privacy policy, etc.). I don't believe that includes only "hardcore Apple fans" but rather people looking for something a little different than the run of the mill stuff out there now.

 

[Dowjohnny]

Will i be able to use the HomePod as a „dumb“ Bluetooth speaker for Spotify or with a tv etc? I know the Smart Functions only work with apple Music

 

[Borddeleau54]

Will i be able to use the HomePod as a „dumb“ Bluetooth speaker for Spotify or with a tv etc? I know the Smart Functions only work with apple Music

HomePod bluetooth 5.0 is used to setup the speaker. And no one at Apple ever stated it could be used to stream music from other devices, like a TV. So I guess the answer is NO.

 

[Kermit262]

Will i be able to use the HomePod as a „dumb“ Bluetooth speaker for Spotify or with a tv etc? I know the Smart Functions only work with apple Music

It appears that Bluetooth is only used for setting up the HomePod from your iOS device. To use it as a dumb speaker, you have to use Wi-Fi/AirPlay.

 

[Dowjohnny]

HomePod bluetooth 5.0 is used to setup the speaker. And no one at Apple ever stated it could be used to stream music from other devices, like a TV. So I guess the answer is NO.

Thx, shame..
[doublepost=1517427245][/doublepost]

It appears that Bluetooth is only used for setting up the HomePod from your iOS device. To use it as a dumb speaker, you have to use Wi-Fi/AirPlay.

Oh i didn’t think of that, so at least spotify via AirPlay would be no Problem! Thx

 

[44267547]

If you’re halfway serious and curious about HomePod, simply purchase one and try it in your home risk-free for 14 days. Easy. And a much better assessment.

I know your quote was in reference to that member, however, I want to add I don't necessarily believe it's about the "Return period" Being 14 days who are questioning the Product, I think it's about the price point in question for those who are willing to spend $350 on a smart speaker regardless of the sound. It's been fairly well-established we know Apple is releasing a product that will produce excellent sound, but some are questioning do they need a $350 smart speaker and how would they justify the cost for the price tag based on what uses? It's the reality of the price tag versus benefit from the Product.

 

[ApfelKuchen]

You give far more background insight than most early Youtube reviewers do, but I am afraid I miss you here.
iDevice audio has proven terrible be because of phys. compromises and passive non-intelligent tech (maybe less for iPad Pro) and I have the impression that Apple got HomePod to escape from that.

Is iOS sound "terrible" compared to other smart phones, or terrible compared to a larger, dedicated audio system? I said, "remarkably good for what they are," understanding that physical and financial constraints/compromises deserve to be part of the evaluation.

We can each interpret Apple's motives for doing this, but I think "escape from that" would be an audiophile's perspective. For the most part, I don't think you'll find many outside of the audiophile community who think iOS audio has a poor public reputation that is in need of rehabilitation.

I certainly can see Apple's audio engineers being excited to do an audio device for its own sake, rather than have to follow the constraints imposed by a smartphone or tablet's dimensions and parts budget, but if they feel oppressed rather than challenged by working on smartphones and tablets, maybe they're better off working for a company that primarily makes no-compromise audio equipment, rather than smartphones and tablets.

 

[Borddeleau54]

Totally unacceptable:

- Pair of $700 US (!) HomePods don't play stereo left and right channels! These are pair of MONO speakers that mimic some sort of soundstage... OK. But I want to listen to ORIGINAL stereo files.
- Can't connect TV or bluetooth radio (not Apple TV) to HomePod? What!?
- Can't use the streaming music of my choice
- Can use Siri to play my local library unless I pay Apple?
- When I buy a speaker, I want to know the frequency response/range. Sorry.
- Can't set up HomePod from my Macbook Air. Since it's my only device I can't use a HomePod! WHAT!?

And this is from an Apple fan.

 

[The Game 161]

Totally unacceptable:

- Pair of $700 US (!) HomePods don't play stereo left and right channels! These are pair of MONO speakers that mimic some sort of soundstage... OK. But I want to listen to ORIGINAL stereo files.
- Can't connect TV or bluetooth radio (not Apple TV) to HomePod? What!?
- Can't use the streaming music of my choice
- Can use Siri to play my local library unless I pay Apple?
- When I buy a speaker, I want to know the frequency response/range. Sorry.
- Can't set up HomePod from my Macbook Air. Since it's my only device I can't use a HomePod! WHAT!?

And this is from an Apple fan.

can't be much of an apple fan if the MacBook is your only apple device

 

[atikalz]

I think people will be surprised by the positive reviews the HomePod will receive.

Remember how people slammed the AirPods before they actually tried them, then found they loved them. They also slammed the Apple Watch and it turned into a great success too.

Calling a product a failure before it even hits the market almost always turns out to be a failed prediction. It's far easier to gauge success before release than failure. We see it time and time again.

Well, airpods can play music from any music source of iOS or even android... And the homepod is limited to crappy Apple music. So, this is for sure a product failure.

 

[ApfelKuchen]

I’ve been wondering about this. I think it’s reasonable to expect a shared device in a common living area to be able to respond to anyone’s voice, even visitors. Does that mean Siri will be able to tell who is talking?

For example, what happens when HomePod hears: “Hey Siri, tell my boss he can shove his lousy job. I quit!”

Will Siri know it’s your fourteen-year-old kid, talking about his temporary dog-walking job for an ungrateful neighbor? Or will it send the somewhat brusque message to your own permanent employer, or your spouse’s?

That might take some explaining.

Yeah, that would take some explaining. My understanding is that Siri's working with a limited range of commands for "anyone in the room" control, for that very reason. Siri is not going to blab out the contents of your passcode/password/FaceID/TouchID-protected data to just anyone who asks.

As it is, Siri does "understand" ambiguity - if there are several Jonny's/Johnny's/Johnny's in your contacts, Siri will ask, "Did you want Jonny Ive, or Johny Srouji? - if there's just one "Dre," no questions asked.

And yes, better voice recognition systems are taught to recognize particular voices, accents, etc. Siri does learn to distinguish your "Hey Siri" from all the rest.

 

[Uofmtiger]

I feel like a lot people are happy streaming music to a Bluetooth soundbar that’s cheaper and multi-purpose. I know I am.

My music setup is already great, a HomePod wouldn’t add anything to my experience. In 2018, a lot of people already have their music setup to their needs. It will be successful because it’s Apple and Apple users pour money into new Apple products whether they need them or not.

People have been buying new speakers/audio components for years and years. It is why we have a ton of companies in the audio space...not just Apple. Have you heard of Marantz, Yamaha, McIntosh, Denon, Onkyo, Sony, Pioneer, Bose, Sonos, NHT, B&W, Monitor Audio, Wilson, Magnepan, Bang & Olufsen, KEF, Magico, MartinLogan, Oppo, etc.?

You know why these companies are in the audio business? Because there is a huge market for audio products. A lot of companies have decades of success in the audio market. If Apple is successful, it is because there product is unique compared to others on the market (voice control of Apple Music using the mics built into the speaker and for Airplay 2).

I don't disagree that people buy consumer products whether they have a "need" or not. "Need" has little to do with most personal tech, audio, video, etc.

 

[Borddeleau54]

Am I the only one who's not fond of speaking to objects? I mean I feel a bit crazy when I have a "conversation" with my Macbook...Feel like being in a clunk ward, you know... Jus sayin...

 

[kemal]

The people who really care about audio quality already have a much much MUCH better sounding stereo and sure as he** aren't streaming compressed music.

Phil- You forgot to mention your ass.

 

[robbyx]

I think you missed my point, to be honest.

I'm betting that most people that have expressed interest aren't interested "regardless"; they are interested precisely because the Homepod potentially ticks off the features that Alexa/Google miss which are a priority for them (ie. sound quality, integration with Apple Music, reasonable price for quality, better company privacy policy, etc.). I don't believe that includes only "hardcore Apple fans" but rather people looking for something a little different than the run of the mill stuff out there now.

So HomePod is essentially an Apple Music accessory? That means the HomePod’s total potential market is 30 or so million customers. If a generous 10% buy it, that’s only 3 million sold. I don’t believe such a product is really worth Apple’s time. I don’t want to see them further lose focus. I’m all for them getting into new product categories when it makes sense. And that means offering something better, something different. HomePod is not that.

As for features that Alexa/Google miss, a $30 echo dot can connect to whatever speakers you want. Better privacy? Who cares? Not most consumers. Part of what makes Alexa and Google better is the fact that they gather data. I find the whole privacy argument around assistants rather absurd. How does anyone expect an AI assistant to genuinely assist if it knows nothing about you? The better it knows you, the more useful it becomes.

I hope HomePod does well. I’m a longtime customer and investor and I certainly want every product to be successful. But I don’t think a niche accessory really merits Apple’s attention right now. I feel like they are losing focus, maybe becoming a little too big and bloated. That never ends well.

 

[Uofmtiger]

The people who really care about audio quality already have a much much MUCH better sounding stereo and sure as he** aren't streaming compressed music.

Phil- You forgot to mention your ass.

There are different degrees of people that care about audio. There are those people that spent 5 times more on a cable than the price of a HomePod. There are those that only listen to vinyl. There are those that won't even listen to FLAC because it is a compressed format and I have heard them say there is more "air between instruments" on the original CD. There are those that only listen to the very best mastering of each album and the format is less important.

That being said, those guys are a very small part of the market. A lot of people fit into the area where an Echo sounds like tinny crap and want to hear something better with the same convenience of being controllable by voice. That is the space Apple wants to hit.

Also, it should be mentioned that floorstanding speakers don't take up less than 6 inches of counter space. Therefore, the "audiphiles" may still want to have decent sound in rooms where they can't put large speakers.

 

[dk001]

Interesting read. (Tech Specs)
Since I don't listed to Apple Music and this will not work with other systems, I can pretty much say this is a no-go for my household.

Designed for Apple Music and Siri.
Somehow that does not siriously impress me .

 

[Uofmtiger]

So HomePod is essentially an Apple Music accessory? That means the HomePod’s total potential market is 30 or so million customers. If a generous 10% buy it, that’s only 3 million sold. I don’t believe such a product is really worth Apple’s time. I don’t want to see them further lose focus. I’m all for them getting into new product categories when it makes sense. And that means offering something better, something different. HomePod is not that.

As for features that Alexa/Google miss, a $30 echo dot can connect to whatever speakers you want. Better privacy? Who cares? Not most consumers. Part of what makes Alexa and Google better is the fact that they gather data. I find the whole privacy argument around assistants rather absurd. How does anyone expect an AI assistant to genuinely assist if it knows nothing about you? The better it knows you, the more useful it becomes.

I hope HomePod does well. I’m a longtime customer and investor and I certainly want every product to be successful. But I don’t think a niche accessory really merits Apple’s attention right now. I feel like they are losing focus, maybe becoming a little too big and bloated. That never ends well.

You are assuming that Apple Music is maxed out at 30 million customers. Apple wants that number to continue to grow...which it has been since they announce the service.. and they expect that the HomePod will actually increase the number of users.

Whether you care about privacy or not, a lot of people do and are willing to live with the trade offs.

 

[UL2RA]

There are different degrees of people that care about audio. There are those people that spent 5 times more on a cable than the price of a HomePod. There are those that only listen to vinyl. There are those that won't even listen to FLAC because it is a compressed format and I have heard them say there is more "air between instruments" on the original CD. There are those that only listen to the very best mastering of each album and the format is less important.

That being said, those guys are a very small part of the market. A lot of people fit into the area where an Echo sounds like tinny crap and want to hear something better with the same convenience of being controllable by voice. That is the space Apple wants to hit.

Also, it should be mentioned that floorstanding speakers don't take up less than 6 inches of counter space. Therefore, the "audiphiles" may still want to have decent sound in rooms where they can't put large speakers.

I'm one of those nutso audiophiles and won't be getting the HomePod, but I do think the idea is cool. My parents would love the HomePod, though.