Consumer Reports: Google Home Max and Sonos One Sound Better Than HomePod

[Jefe's MacAir]

Or maybe... They're right? Is it just always assumed that the Apple version of a product is hands-down better and nobody can say otherwise?

In conflict with every other review thus far.

Maybe they're right and everyone else is wrong.

 

[Baymowe335]

Haha...the Google Home Max does NOT sound as good. It just doesn't, period.

Consumer reports is written by idiots and read by idiots.

 

[mtneer]

With metrics like "muddy" or "boomy" - no wonder there is a wide divergence in terms of these reviews. At this stage its pretty much up to each customer to try out the HomePod (or any other device) and decide to return whatever they don't like. Not everyone's ears or affinity/ tolerance to bass is going to be the same.

 

[gnipgnop]

What are they smoking ?

You'll have to wait to buy the issue where they rate what they're smoking...

 

[jObooW]

This test was done in a special listening room, so the dsp done by HomePod is not taken into account. I bet it's way better in a normal unoptimised room.

 

[Aluminum213]

funny how CR is anti apple when they don't say an Apple product is the next best thing since slice bread

 

[16Paws]

What are they smoking ?

Clicks.

What better way than rag on Apple? If it had been positive it would have flown to the bottom of the pile quicker.

 

[BSben]

None of these testing sessions will ever put an end to this discussion. I had since Friday listening to the HomePod, I have only listened to the other ones in shops (which is completely useless). Anyway I think for such a small speaker the sound is amazing and it adapts very quickly when you move it, and also the sound of the speaker seems pretty much the same if you (not the Pod) move around the room.

 

[christarp]

Pretty much everyone else disagrees with this assessment. Also, the testing environment being very unrealistic doesn't make sense to me. Nobody is going to put these (any speaker really) in an anechoic chamber, and the homepod seems to shine in regular environments due to its ability to automatically configure itself based on the environment.

 

[nfl46]

Dang, CR really has it out for Apple as of late.

 

[clive27]

I have no plan to buy Homepod, but I think the CR's testing method is unfair for Apple.
Homepod's advantage is in its ability to able to tune its output based on awareness of its surroundings using several mics. Putting the speaker in a dedicated room with sound absorbing wall makes this important feature useless. How is it going to tune itself if there's no echo?
I think they should re-do the testing by just putting the speaker in normal living room.

 

[addicted44]

This is not surprising. Overemphasized Bass has always been the hallmark of Beats Music, and it would be surprising if Apple didn't leverage the Beats folks while developing the HomePod.

 

[daveak]

Edifier S1000DB : 11 x 8 x 13.5 inches
HomePod 6.8 x 5.6

Larger stereo pair of speakers sounds better than smaller mono speaker, more at 11.

 

[justperry]

What are they smoking ?

Pod @ Home 😉

 

[Reason077]

The bass was "boomy and overemphasized,"

This is the issue I have with my Google Home, too. I think it's because some people equate heavy boomy bass with "high quality sound" and that encourages some companies to make products with crappy sound.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Love HomePods --- clearly biased!
Hate HomePods --- clearly biased!

Silly. It's a fricken speaker people are judging, not how perfect a circle is. The funny part is you go into an Apple Store (I did) and you might have to look hard to find the HomePod. Very little fanfare or publicity in-store. It reminded me of the first AppleTV and how Apple said it was a "hobby," a work in progress.

 

[Macalway]

My consumer report is that 'Consumer Reports' is good, but fails when stacked up against the rest of mankind.

 

[Feyl]

I’m glad that there are sane people at CR who tested it with more demanding kind of music. Not that kind of music that Apple promotes. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read words like mid range, treble and bass being boomy in an article about HomePod. Finally... You know, HomePod is fine if you like rap, hip-hop or something like that, but it’s definitely not great for music made with actual instruments.

 

[Jefe's MacAir]

It used to be that it was apples to apples comparing speakers and using a special room was the baseline for testing and gave a "best in best environment". Which is unrealistic at best. Dishonest at worst. Now, there's software involved to help the fact that every room in every house or building is different and sound moves oddly. It would be a much better and real world test to test in multiple "real world" environments and use that as a baseline for reviews. CR's room would only match a very minuscule percentage of actual customers use. They claim real world testing for cars, specifically MPGs, why not speakers and other electronics.

 

[SeattleMoose]

I heard all 3 side by side and HomePod sounded better. But Siri...still sucks.

 

[racerhomie]

Is the 2 for $349 Sonos offer still on?

Don't let your fanatism go that far. It's great to have different opinions.

HomePod does not distort at high volumes while Google(let me sell your info)Max Speaker does

 

[Mtmspa]

Google and Sonos One are POS. Consumer reports must allow their experts to post on here.

 

[jamesdc]

Being a musician, recording artist, producer etc that works in studios, with studio equipment like D.A.W.’s etc I have to say can’t fault my HomePod’s, purchased 5, 2 for my lounge for when stereo pairing is available, then one for gym, bedroom & kitchen, love the sound quality & live recordings are amazing in particular, even sound great when use as monitor speakers for D.A.W.

 

[Mtmspa]

I heard all 3 side by side and HomePod sounded better. But Siri...still sucks.

Please name the top 1o things that Siri does do for you.

 

[CrystalQuest76]

Consumer Reports hates Apple anyway. Rag magazine at best.

Just since Consumer Reports publishes results you do not like on products that you have purchased does not make them a rag. That kind of mindset that you displayed is why we have idiots in high elected offices.