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

[grjj]

Watch the video (it's free to access their site today).
There's apparently two rooms they ran their tests in: an anechoic chamber and a "dead" room sitting next to a bunch of other speakers.
Neither of these is the intended use for HomePod which relies on the idea of a "standard room" with furnishings, walls and open space to tune itself. Without any feedback from the walls or with so many reflections from the sea of speakers I don't doubt that HomePod defaults to some "limp" mode and acts more like a dumb speaker.

I'd like to see if CR's tests were conducted in a more realistic living environment that the scores would be any different.

 

[jamesdc]

I think what you meant to say is, "Nice to hear from someone who actually confirms my confirmation bias." Nothing against @jamesdc , but you have no idea if he's really who he says he is. Even if he is 100% everything he says he is (and I have no reason to doubt he is), that does not mean his opinion of what sounds good is any more valid than your opinion or mine. James could have horrible taste in sound. He could be a mumble rap producer. Or a country music artist.

You've simply gravitated to something that reinforces your already held beliefs. We all (me included) do it from time to time. It's not a rarity on here.

Certainly not a rapper or country artist thats for sure, nothing against those who are as I have co-produced, mixed & remixed for artists who are but to date the likes of OMD, Erasure, Ed Sheeran, Depeche Mode or A-Ha to name a few have certainly never complained about my taste in sound nor quality & not even any of my remixes have been rejected going on to being released but agree 100% what sounds good to one doesn’t nor would mean it sounds good to another or everyone which is why there are often many mixers, producers etc all involved in creating music for any artist as cross collaboration can often be the only way to find the perfect sound for a specific artist & or a specific song as everyone will hear sounds differently for a number or reasons & you don’t need a 30+ year career in the music to know that either as its otherwise known as individuality, preference, opinion, auditory functions etc all of which will be different with everyone as all of those are unique to each human being.

 

[Michael Goff]

Of course they sound better and most of the competitors are actually open. Most have better assistants and cost far less. Only reason to buy the HomePod over other options is if you are short on space.

HP costs less than Home Max.

 

[djlythium]

Yes.

No.

Yes.

No!

Yes. No! Yes! No!

YesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYesNoYes...


Does this sound about right?

 

[chiefsilverback]

Objectively, the HomePod is designed to optimise itself in real world setups in your home. The kitchen, the bedroom etc... I would argue that testing it in an acoustically treated room, sitting several feet away from a wall with racks of amps and other equipment in the way is going to have an impact on the HomePods ability to auto-calibrate. I wonder how they would rate it sitting on a kitchen counter, or sideboard?

 

[paul4339]

I don’t understand - why couldn’t Google Home Max and Sonos 1 be slightly better than HomePod ? The report doesnt say HP is bad, in fact it says it’s good.
Most reports say HP is great, here’s another one that says it’s good, but other some products is slightly better. What’s the big deal?

 

[AFite]

The HomePod will serve many music fans well, but CR testers did hear some flaws. The HomePod's bass was a bit boomy and overemphasized. And the midrange tones were somewhat hazy, meaning that some of the nuance in vocals, guitars, and horns was lost: These elements of the music couldn't be heard as distinctly as in more highly rated speakers. Treble sounds, like cymbals, were underemphasized. But the HomePod played reasonably loudly in a midsized room

I don't know what they were listening to on the HomePod but I could tell from the video they weren't streaming music natively from Apple Music. They were air playing the music from a third party app (not saying it should matter) but claiming you are tuning each speaker to the optimum settings should mean you are using it as intended in its best case scenario. That being said using words like "hazy" or "underemphasized" could not be more inaccurate to my personal experience.

My HomePod provides a rich full sound with clear sound separation allowing me to hear very nuanced sounds in all kinds of dynamics in music to a very life like degree. I am a musician and I look to hear those details critically. I also listen to music on Sonos speakers (Sonos 1 and Sonos: Play5) on a daily basis (audio setup at my work office) and in my opinion it is not nearly as good sounding.

 

[tylerthomas28]

HP costs less than Home Max.

I’m well aware of that and I think that extra cost is worth it for a better assistant and openness.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

I don’t understand - why couldn’t Google Home Max and Sonos 1 be slightly better than HomePod ? The report doesnt say HP is bad, in fact it says it’s good.

Because once Apple steps into any segment, all other players already there have to become crap.

It's a rule. Are you new here?

 

[prasand]

Honestly, this is now starting to feel like we're beating a dead horse.

Musical preference will always trump speaker capabilities. And from the sheer number of people here who prefer their existing systems, and even I who think my B&Os match the HomePods (but know that the B&Os can actually be EQ'd to subjectively sound better than the HomePods) ... it's clear that Apple's EQ is catered towards the masses, and actually isn't that great to those with more discerning tastes. So unless Apple gives us the ability to fine tune the dynamics, it'll always be a "this is great for what it is" kind of situation, but short of the potential it could be.

I think, there needs to be a distinction between what the HomePod is objectively capable of, and its subjective limits due to Apple's EQ choices. The other speakers were able to be tailored to subjective preferences, while the HomePod is more like, "bend over, take it, enjoy it, thanks." lol. So as far as I'm concerned, the HomePod is a major feat of engineering, but Apple is crippling it on many levels aside Siri.

 

[supremedesigner]

Is CR even that relevant anymore? Honestly if I’m looking for product reviews, I either go directly to industry reviewers, YouTube, or amazon. CR Has not crossed my mind when I’m looking for reviews since the mid-90s.

Agreed. I used to look up at CR back in the old day but not anymore.

 

[FasterQuieter]

I hope they are right. I'd buy a Google Home Max if the price ever droped to $300. (I'm a Google Music subscriber, so the Homepod is useless).

 

[DakotaGuy]

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.

Watch this video with this guy doing a blind listening test. When he realizes that he has selected the Google Home Max over the HomePod he quickly tries to change what he meant. It's hilarious!

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Objectively, the HomePod is designed to optimise itself in real world setups in your home. The kitchen, the bedroom etc... I would argue that testing it in an acoustically treated room, sitting several feet away from a wall with racks of amps and other equipment in the way is going to have an impact on the HomePods ability to auto-calibrate. I wonder how they would rate it sitting on a kitchen counter, or sideboard?

Did any of us forget the thread from a few days ago about the kind of environment in which Apple tested HP? Here's the link (with pics): https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...sed-to-test-homepod-airpods-and-more.2104740/ I'm guessing that is more representative of the typical home environment???

I realize that "change the test" could in fact, change the result. But their job is to consistently test LOTS of products. It's not adapt the testing protocols so that any favored product can win some contest. Whatever would make the testing environment poor for any given speaker makes it the same poor environment for ALL speakers tested there. Their goal is to NOT crown one speaker best by bending the test to help it- just compare a bunch of speakers head-to-head.

 

[farewelwilliams]

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?

they tested in a studio environment. homepod adapts the playback in a home environment. they tested wrong again.

 

[AgentAnonymous]

Consumer Reports hates Apple anyway. Rag magazine at best.

Just because you have buyer's remorse doesn't mean Consumer Reports is a "Rag magazine".

 

[shareef777]

Of all the criticism I read of the HomePod, both before and after the release, sound quality was not one of them. Nobody seriously doubted this thing wasn't going to sound awesome for its size.

However, sound is physics, and other than having massive powerful amps and big speakers, the only way around the physical limitation of having a small speaker is by faking it with DSP and other tricks. The same tricks used by Sonos and everybody else.

I think the HomePod haters mainly hate the pickle Apple is putting them in, as fans. On one hand, they are Apply fans and want to own Apple hardware; if Apple makes a speaker they want that speaker. On the other hand, Apple has never been good with cloud or subscription services, so many many Apple fans subscribe to non-Apple services. By making the speaker only work with Apple's own music subscription service, they are forcing fans of Apple to choose between having Apple hardware or using the service they have been using and like.

Locking down the HomePod away from any third party services isn't just the walled-garden approach - it downright hostile. Imagine if tvOS only worked with iTunes and Apple refused to allow Netflix or Hulu, or if iOS only worked with Apple mail and refused to allow Gmail or Exchange. The same anger would come from Apple fans being forced to choose.

How's it locked down though? I can stream from my computer/phone (and therefore any app running on them) to the HomePod. Same for the AppleTV. I plan on picking one up and testing it with my AppleTV (essentially making it a soundbar). I don't expect it to perform that well, so will likely return it, but I won't be basing my decision on all the glowing reviews of the HomePod, or the negative one by ConsumerReports.

I'm going to buy, try, and decide for myself.

 

[deanthedev]

Because once Apple steps into any segment, all other players already there have to become crap.

It's a rule. Are you new here?

There’s your example you asked for in the other thread (claiming to be neutral but have clear bias).

 

[AgentAnonymous]

The sad thing is a lot of people will not even try the product because they don't want to think for themselves, and prefer CR do their thinking for them.

It's not subjective.
[doublepost=1518473225][/doublepost]

This conflicts with basically every other opinion of the HomePod thus far.

It's not subjective. CR ran actual tests.

 

[ChrisA]

It is just basic physics. You are NEVER going to be able to get really great sound from such a tiny speaker as a HomePod. The fact that it can sound even "decent" is surprising and we all can read about just how hard Apple had to work to make it sound as good as it does.

If you want high-end sound buy some "real" stereo speakers A pair of entry level Polk Auto T50 speakers cost less and sound better but they can't connect to Siri.

What you pay for is the tiny size and the connection to Siri. Better sound always takes more space or costs more. Quality sound is not a new thing. By the late 1950's Stereo HiFi was VERY good They hade LP vinyl, tube based amplifiers and huge speakers 1/2 the size of a cloths washing machine. Such a system might cost a month's pay or more. What's changed that today we have more options to take size cost and quality.

If you are building out a home theater system, the HomePod is not gong to cut it. But that is not it's intended use. I don't think HomePod was even intended to compete with a high-end audio system.

What did I buy? (1) some "real" stereo speakers and amplifiers to drive them and (2) a Google "smart speaker" I tried Google vs. Siri and it was not a fair competition, Google is miles ahead.

Try it. Ask the EXACT same question to both products and see if Apple, Google or Amazon gives more relevant answers. Some stores like Best buy actually sell all three products.

 

[DVNIEL]

Here’s an opinion from someone who has both.

I agree with them, Google Max does sound better.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

There’s your example you asked for in the other thread (claiming to be neutral but have clear bias).

Oh brother. If you are the judge of objectivity, I encourage you to take a good look at your own posts.

And again, that's a JOKE. Note the wink emoji at the end. I'm joking.

 

[Edsel]

This was probably Consumer Reports music source....

 

[oneMadRssn]

How's it locked down though? I can stream from my computer/phone (and therefore any app running on them) to the HomePod. Same for the AppleTV. I plan on picking one up and testing it with my AppleTV (essentially making it a soundbar). I don't expect it to perform that well, so will likely return it, but I won't be basing my decision on all the glowing reviews of the HomePod, or the negative one by ConsumerReports.

I'm going to buy, try, and decide for myself.

You answered your own question there. Unlike the Sonos, Amazon Echo, and Google Home, the HomePod cannot on its own stream from a non-Apple service. Rather, you must have a computer or phone to stream from a non-Apple service to the HomePod.

With the others, I can have the speaker stream from Spotify, for example, on their own. My phone/computer can disconnect from the same Wifi, they can leave range, they can run out of battery, or I can leave the speaker on when I leave the house. This is because the speaker itself is compatible with the streaming service.

The HomePod can't do that at this time. A work-around, as you said, is to use your phone or computer as a passthrough, but then the phone/computer is actually interacting with the non-Apple service, and not the HomePod. And this work-around has limitations. For example, a very common use of these smart-speakers for dog owners is to leave something like NPR on while leaving the dog home alone (some dogs get less anxiety if they hear monotonous human conversation). NPROne works wonderfully on Sonos; HomePod can't do it.

 

[mdelvecchio]

go home Consumer Reports, you’re drunk.