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Deals: HomePod Returns to Lowest-Ever Price of $199.99 at Best Buy ($100 Off)

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Best Buy has returned the HomePod to its Black Friday price of $199.99 this morning. You can get the HomePod at this price in both White and Space Gray, saving you $100 off the regular $299 price tag.

homepod-duo.jpg
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best Buy. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

This is the lowest price ever tracked for a brand new HomePod. We've tracked solid deals at retailers like OWC over the past few months, but as of yet we haven't seen the HomePod return to holiday discounts in 2020, until today.

Head to our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more discounts on Apple products and related accessories.

Article Link: Deals: HomePod Returns to Lowest-Ever Price of $199.99 at Best Buy ($100 Off)
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2020/03/02/deals-homepod-lowest-price/
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Musically, they sound better than most of the competition in this price range.
But, as a TV speaker - I think you are better off putting the money towards a soundbar. There is a reason why most home theater systems have an EQ that differs between music types, movie types, and vocals. This tries to be everything to everybody - and winds up superior at really nothing but a background music player.

Siri, is still inferior to the competition - even though Apple more or less created the intelligent voice assistant, and is a larger company; one would like to think that Siri would be the one to beat. Sadly, Siri ranks pretty much last place.
 
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This is a great price for HomePod. I bought my first one at full retail when they launched ($349) then a second one when the price dropped to $299 and I picked up my last 2 on sale for $199 each. You can't beat them at this price range. I agree with the earlier post, this MIGHT be an indication of a new model launching soon (or it may just be a regular sale).
 
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Hodar1 said:
Musically, they sound better than most of the competition in this price range.
But, as a TV speaker - I think you are better off putting the money towards a soundbar. There is a reason why most home theater systems have an EQ that differs between music types, movie types, and vocals. This tries to be everything to everybody - and winds up superior at really nothing but a background music player.

Siri, is still inferior to the competition - even though Apple more or less created the intelligent voice assistant, and is a larger company; one would like to think that Siri would be the one to beat. Sadly, Siri ranks pretty much last place.
Click to expand...
As a home theater component, I don't think you can blame the Homepod or Apple for that matter. I think that blame lies squarely with Homepod owners using the device in an unintended fashion. Even though you're right about sound bar set up probably being better, I think most of the people using Homepods as TV speakers probably don't know any better... or fall into that category of user who wants to make their environment as Apple as possible regardless of better options.
 
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69Mustang said:
As a home theater component, I don't think you can blame the Homepod or Apple for that matter. I think that blame lies squarely with Homepod owners using the device in an unintended fashion. Even though you're right about sound bar set up probably being better, I think most of the people using Homepods as TV speakers probably don't know any better... or fall into that category of user who wants to make their environment as Apple as possible regardless of better options.
Click to expand...
I am one of those people who use them for a home theater setup. It isn’t my primary home theater setup but the one in my bedroom. The reason I went with HomePods is that I wanted to use them for more than just sound when watching tv. They are also the stereo for the bedroom.
 
DoctorTech said:
This is a great price for HomePod. I bought my first one at full retail when they launched ($349) then a second one when the price dropped to $299 and I picked up my last 2 on sale for $199 each. You can't beat them at this price range. I agree with the earlier post, this MIGHT be an indication of a new model launching soon (or it may just be a regular sale).
Click to expand...
I have one, with Apple Music it works well with Siri, AirPlay not so much. Without Bluetooth it is so limited because of the uneven airplay experience.
 
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DaveN said:
I am one of those people who use them for a home theater setup. It isn’t my primary home theater setup but the one in my bedroom. The reason I went with HomePods is that I wanted to use them for more than just sound when watching tv. They are also the stereo for the bedroom.
Click to expand...
Your use case supports my main point perfectly. @Hodar1 said: "This tries to be everything to everybody - and winds up superior at really nothing but a background music player." But the Homepod doesn't try to be everything for everybody. Users are finding alternative uses for the Homepod. Those uses can't be viewed as Homepod trying to be everything. That's also not a criticism of users. Creatively using products beyond their primary purpose is totally okay in my book. I do it all the time. I mean, who hasn't used a butter knife to turn a screw when a screwdriver would be a better choice.
 
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burgman said:
I have one, with Apple Music it works well with Siri, AirPlay not so much. Without Bluetooth it is so limited because of the uneven airplay experience.
Click to expand...
It’s probably your router that’s unstable. I’ve been playing music on 8 HomePods (4 stereo pairs) for about one year and never a connection dropped or failed to start. (I use an Orbi router with one satellite in a 2,500sf apartment.)
 
Seems there would be some indication if a new model was coming soon- we know about everything else being released and haven’t seen any signs of an update-

I’m just saying this because I’m finally about to buy one at this price haha
 
69Mustang said:
Your use case supports my main point perfectly. @Hodar1 said: "This tries to be everything to everybody - and winds up superior at really nothing but a background music player." But the Homepod doesn't try to be everything for everybody. Users are finding alternative uses for the Homepod. Those uses can't be viewed as Homepod trying to be everything. That's also not a criticism of users. Creatively using products beyond their primary purpose is totally okay in my book. I do it all the time. I mean, who hasn't used a butter knife to turn a screw when a screwdriver would be a better choice.
Click to expand...
I don't disagree but my point is that for my use it is the best option - one tool for multiple uses. If you only had one tool to tighten screws and eat with, would you go for the butter knife or the screw driver? I wanted a smart speaker to control the lights in the house and other basic requests. I also wanted a good sound system for music and better sound for the TV in my bedroom. I could get specialized tools for each or the best all-in-one tool for the job so I don't clutter things up. As an all-in-one tool, I agree, it is a compromise. A dedicated sound bar, woofer, satellite speakers would be better at the movie watching aspect but that would be overkill for my scenario.
 
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DaveN said:
I am one of those people who use them for a home theater setup. It isn’t my primary home theater setup but the one in my bedroom. The reason I went with HomePods is that I wanted to use them for more than just sound when watching tv. They are also the stereo for the bedroom.
Click to expand...

How do you get the sound out to your homepod? Via an AppleTV?
 
aandre said:
It’s probably your router that’s unstable. I’ve been playing music on 8 HomePods (4 stereo pairs) for about one year and never a connection dropped or failed to start. (I use an Orbi router with one satellite in a 2,500sf apartment.)
Click to expand...
what apps are you using with AirPlay? My alexia devices never have a streaming issue same router or controlling device. Listen to Siri controlled music then switch to Apple device, then switch to another Apple device like IPhone to iPad during the day.
 
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DaveN said:
I don't disagree but my point is that for my use it is the best option - one tool for multiple uses. If you only had one tool to tighten screws and eat with, would you go for the butter knife or the screw driver? I wanted a smart speaker to control the lights in the house and other basic requests. I also wanted a good sound system for music and better sound for the TV in my bedroom. I could get specialized tools for each or the best all-in-one tool for the job so I don't clutter things up. As an all-in-one tool, I agree, it is a compromise. A dedicated sound bar, woofer, satellite speakers would be better at the movie watching aspect but that would be overkill for my scenario.
Click to expand...
So what it sounds like you're saying... and correct me if I'm wrong... but it sounds like you're saying DaveN does not fall into one of the two categories I claimed most people fall into? :D
 
Hopefully they refresh these with some type of normal Bluetooth as well as hard wire connection options.

Speakers are expensive and last a long time and I don’t want to invest in versions that are stuck with wireless and Siri only.

I would love to have a pair hardwired into my TV along with wireless rear units for a complete home pod + apple Tv entertainment solution.
 
For the "sale must mean a new model" crowd, Best Buy has run this promotion many times over the past ~6 months.
 
mannyvel said:
How do you get the sound out to your homepod? Via an AppleTV?
Click to expand...
Yes. I only get the HomePod sound when using the AppleTV but that is how I watch movies so it works for me. I don’t have cable tv (internet only) so it is just what I watch on AppleTV and over the air stations on my tv.
 
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burgman said:
I have one, with Apple Music it works well with Siri, AirPlay not so much. Without Bluetooth it is so limited because of the uneven airplay experience.
Click to expand...
I only use HomePods with Apple Music and for home automation. HomePods work perfect for my usage but I completely understand how the lack of Bluetooh support and native apps for other streaming services could be a deal breaker for some users.
 
Hodar1 said:
Musically, they sound better than most of the competition in this price range.
But, as a TV speaker - I think you are better off putting the money towards a soundbar. There is a reason why most home theater systems have an EQ that differs between music types, movie types, and vocals. This tries to be everything to everybody - and winds up superior at really nothing but a background music player.

Siri, is still inferior to the competition - even though Apple more or less created the intelligent voice assistant, and is a larger company; one would like to think that Siri would be the one to beat. Sadly, Siri ranks pretty much last place.
Click to expand...
If any of this were true, it would be a great comment
[automerge]1583173348[/automerge]
DoctorTech said:
I only use HomePods with Apple Music and for home automation. HomePods work perfect for my usage but I completely understand how the lack of Bluetooh support and native apps for other streaming services could be a deal breaker for some users.
Click to expand...
True if your device does not support airplay which is so technically superior to Bluetooth, then you must
 
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