First Impressions From HomePod Mini Customers: 'The Sound Quality is Great'

[I7guy]

Apple named it the homepod mini, not homepod 2. Adjust your expectations accordingly.

Similar to the iPhone 12 mini, I guess.

 

[DeepIn2U]

no replacement for displacement

Hows does a OG Homepod compare sound wise to a Sonos 1 ? Note I have sonos 1 and some proper hifi so am quite familiar with the sonos sound

Your Sonos: One I don't think supports:

Hi-Res Audio
Dolby Atmos

The HomePod (non-mini) does support both and can fill a larger room better than the Sonos can. I tried using Sonoslay1 and then the Sonos: One before going to HomePod ... all just using my former 2017 & 2018 MBP 13" or from my iPhone 8 and every time in my 800sq ft apartment the HomePod won.

The killer is probably how you have your sonos connected to your studio setup: 12" record player, home stereo hi-fi system ... you get that support with Sonos.

I just wish ... just wish Apple would make an adapter for HomePods ... even for LP records. I know why they will not ... but there are a LOT of LPs and 12" or 45s that are NOT nor ever have been mass produced and even in very low numbers.

Specifically I have an un-released Bob Marley 45 with him and Peter Tosh and it's sealed for safety - that I cannot enjoy. After COVID is done I'm going to a friend to play this record, record it and then have digital copy sparced 4x over for safe keeping.

 

[amaze1499]

can you not use a usb-c powerbrick?

It does. Out of curiosity, can you stereo pair the HPminis using Bluetooth?

 

[gadgetpete]

Anyone have a Bose Soundlink Mini, original version (silver) to compare the Homepod mini to?

Thanks.

Yes will do when mine arrives later this morning but what I have seen in reviews I am not holding up too much hope, I have seen it compared to the Alexa sound and it is pretty mediocre, I have at least 15 Alexa devices, the HomePod was never on my wish list as it was late to the party and severely lacks integration with 3rd party devices BUT I have bought the mini JUST for the charging block for my MagSafe charger for my new 12 Pro max, I see it as a £20 value on the Apple rip off price anyway.

So I am gambling £80 on the HomePod (less value of power brick) to see what it can deliver, what appeals to me is the Apple integration in its own eco system, I have a hell of a lot of Apple stuff so could be handy, I intend to have it in my motorhome running from my Apple TV’s in there, but have read horror stories of a 1 second lag which would be really annoying, willl find out in a few hours.

 

[MrCubes]

I wonder if the sound Is comparable to that of the MBP 16 inch speakers. They are awesome.

I have the 2020 27" iMac, which also has great speakers (for built-ins) and they are definitely quite noticeably better than that.

 

[B/D]

can you not use a usb-c powerbrick?

Apparently you technically can, but the minis will complain about not having enough power, even if the powerbrick is powerful enough.

 

[B/D]

It does. Out of curiosity, can you stereo pair the HPminis using Bluetooth?

No. Bluetooth, much like the original Homepod, is currently limited to the first setup process, nothing else. This is good and bad. Good, because if you restrict all audio things to wifi (Airplay 2), you avoid extra compression and therefore can enjoy better sound quality, and its open the door for even lossless /high res sound quality in the future. On the other hand, not being able to use bluetooth for audio playback or pairing limits the speaker versatility (you could pair the Homepods via Bluetooth with a modern smart tv, for example, and enjoy all audio sources on the Homepod with the AAC bluetooth codec, which yields good enough quality)

 

[gadgetpete]

Apparently you technically can, but the minis will complain about not having enough power, even if the powerbrick is powerful enough.

I’m interested to find out because the Apple MagSafe puck that charges the 12 phones will ONLY deliver the Max 15w IF using the original Apple 20w charging brick as supplied with the HomePod mini, if you use any other charging block it restricts it to 10w. My plan was to use the 20w power brick with the MagSafe and use a third party charger for the HomePod min, anyone done that yet, mine arrives later this morning and I have a huge selection of chargers including power banks that will deliver 60w to test it with.

 

[B/D]

Because no one would ac bother pairing the minis with a TV That is what the OG HomePods are for. Mini is to put in a bedroom or kitchen or people who can’t afford a pair of OG HomePods and be done with it
Geez, you are a piece of work.

What?. A couple of minis paired in stereo sound very impressive, clean, fullfilling and robust, amazing for their size actually, and therefore they are very good for using with the apple tv. Just no Atmos, 5.1 or using them as the default audio output, but they will deliver very good regular stereo sound.

Also, could you be a little more respectful to us here, please?. I, personally always addressed you with respect, within the limits of my poor english.

 

[SirAnthonyHopkins]

can you not use a usb-c powerbrick?

There's no reason you couldn't, except that the HomePod needs to be connected to a Wi-Fi network. I suppose you use your phone's hotspot but I don't know how well that would work.

 

[gadgetpete]

If you need some back up Alexas are on offer today if you want to compare the HomePod mini or add to what you have, you need to make the order through an existing Echo by saying “Alexa order an echo dot”, it will then appear in your Amazon cart on your phone or computer/iPad where you can then compete the purchase and get it for £28.99 saving £21. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B084DWCZXZ

NOTE: Grey is default, if you want white just say “Alexa order a white Echo Dot” it them puts a glacier white one in your basket

 

[gadgetpete]

And willHomePod Mini review as promised;

TOTALLY UNDERWHELMED! (By Hype) Ok so I expected it so no big deal, the winner IS that that power brick can now be used with my MagSafe chargers as the HomePod is working perfectly from one of my Zendure power banks 👍

To get things in perspective my home is linked throughout with a B&O system and I also have around 10 Sonos units of various sizes so I get to know half reasonable sound, I also have 15 plus Alexas including Sonos integrated ones but rarely would use those for music, so what is this HomePod mini like, its very light, very compact, set up was easy peasy with my phone and took seconds, sound is Ok at lower volume, at higher volume its tinny and the Amazon Echo blows its socks off, so dont get your hopes up, this IS NOT a home hifi if system its a budget speaker with magic in it, its a handy extension to Siri, useful for intercom if you have multiple units, I know this as we use our Alexa intercom system A LOT, it saves it being a shouty house.

My plan was to put this unit in my motorhome which has a Bose system at the moment but I want to link to my Apple TV’s, I have one in the front and one on the rear so will be testing it out, if it works well i will get another HomePod mini as the 20w charging block is the winner for me and have one in the front and one in the rear, may even see how they pair for normal music but doubt they will compete with the Bose system.

So to wrap up on initial thoughts, good value if you want a 20w charging block, if not then I would buy an echo as you will get SO much more home integration for smart enabled devices, but at the end of the day its an Apple gadget and at the price including a 20w power brick makes the Apple 12 plastic/leather cases at £59 an absolute RIP OFF! I sent mine back it was awful, you will have MUCH more fun with the HomePod Mini, just remember it is what it is, would be great for picnics if you have a Mifi mobile unit, I still have a lot to learn about this thing as there is no clear app for it to change settings or indeed Wi-Fi settings. Best thing is it DOES NOT need that 20w Power brick to work BUT the MagSafe puck DOES IF you want the max 15w charging for your phone, none Apple charging bricks will only be allowed to power it at 10w max as Apple have blocked any more 😉

 

[SirAnthonyHopkins]

To get things in perspective my home is linked throughout with a B&O system and I also have around 10 Sonos units of various sizes so I get to know half reasonable sound, I also have 15 plus Alexas including Sonos integrated ones

what

why?

how massive is your house?

 

[gadgetpete]

Error!

 

[gadgetpete]

what

why?

how massive is your house?

Sorry I answered in a new post by mistake, as I said I like buying new gadgets but useless at selling, I guess there are people on here with loads of Apple stuff. To be fair the B&O system is a lot older and I found the Sonos better at integration so changing over to that, at one stage I need to strip out all the B&O stuff but even the older systems have great sound. As for the house it’s not a mansion but big enough to cope, will seem bigger once I de clutter! 😄

 

[gadgetpete]

The HomePod looks pathetically tiny in my motorhome, just need to hide the wire when I eventually decide where it will stay permanently, I have also bought the Amazon Echo 4 today with the intention to put it the other side so I have options but may just buy another 3 HomePods and have 2 at the rear and 2 at the front, the volume is pathetically low in the motorhome from a single HomePod, it could be all the soft furnishing, I was worried one would be too loud but absolutely no hope of that! I could see this as a desk speaker because at low volume it is great for what it is, push it and it struggles not to sound crappy, anyway there are loads of people buying these so will be interested in what others think 👍

My 12 Pro Max is now charging super fast at 15W now I have an original Apple 20w power brick taken from the HomePod Mini 😁

 

[gadgetpete]

Note: It seems the HomePod Mini comes with software 14.1 loaded, you need to update to 14.2 to use a lot of the options, it took a good couple of hours for the software update to appear on mine, initially it kept saying it was up to date so keeps an eye on that 👍

 

[gadgetpete]

Note: When you update your software (via the iPhone Home App) and try to make a voice call with the HomePod Mini Siri will tell you to Open the Home App, then to Home settings (tap house in top left corner of that app and a drop down menu appears, got to near the bottom and you will see Home Settings with a steering wheel type logo by it,) click that, you will then see a list of people including yourself in a circle, click on that and there should then be the first option of ‘Recognise My Voice’, but in my case that was not there, you need to restart your phone then it will appear, click it and also click ‘Personal Requests’ shown just under it, so turn that on as that is also required to use voice recognition, so after any HomePod Mini update remember to restart your phone, hope that helps someone

 

[theaudiobully87]

My HomePod arrived today after ordering from John Lewis yesterday. Ordered and arrived in less than 24 hours and comes with a 2 year warranty. I don’t think I’ll order Apple stuff from anywhere else from now on.

Anyhow, after spending a good chunk of today with it and listening to a good variety of music, I’d like to share my initial thoughts on it.

It really is a great bit of kit and is exactly what I expected it to be – a small, very capable (but not mind blowing) smart speaker that is perfect for every day, casual listening. That’s it. That’s the cut of it.

Setup was a breeze (as you’d expect) and I was up and running in a couple of minutes. Playback from an iOS device is seamless (as you’d expect) and I experienced no issues. No lagging or jittering etc.

Now, I’m not an audiophile by any stretch of the imagination but I do enjoy listening to music through a good system. When I want to get deep into some good music, I have a turntable hooked up to some very nice active speakers (which also have Bluetooth so I can stream music to them) so I’ll put on a record and off I go. My primary use for the HomePod will be casual, day to day listening. I work from home and currently have an Ultimate Ears Wonderboom that I have on my desk. It’s a great little speaker and is perfect for playing music whilst I’m working, or cooking, or just pottering around the house. The HomePod will be replacing this. Whilst I had the Wonderboom on my desk, the HomePod is currently on the shelf across the room. Playing it at around half of the maximum volume seems to be the sweet spot for this room. I’m getting really nice sound from it. It fills the room better than I thought it would and I’m impressed at how loud this thing can go. I’m fairly confident that if I have friends over for a gathering, I can play music through it without a bout of crippling anxiety filling me with worry that they aren’t getting the absolute BEST listening experience. Comparing this to anything other than a small smart speaker is just daft. If you’re expecting anything more then I’d say just skip this and get a regular HomePod.

Some people are complaining that it’s not portable and whilst yes, it would be nice if it ran on a battery, for me, that’d just be another device that I have charge. It’ll spend 95% of its time on the same shelf in the same room. If the time comes where I want to take it somewhere, I’ll just grab one of my power banks and plug it. It’s really not that big of a deal for me. If you’re after a portable speaker, there are plenty on the market. Save your energy moaning that the HomePod lacks a battery and just get a portable speaker.

I’m yet to try the intercom feature and tbh – I don’t see it being all that useful to me. I’m sure it’s great if you have them all around your house though.

Siri works fine. Again, I rarely use Siri for anything more than setting a timer or asking where my phone is when I can’t locate it.

I have a TV but I’m getting rid of it soon (along with my apple tv) so I won’t be hooking it up to that.

And that is about it. I don’t own any of the other smaller smart speakers from the likes of Google or Amazon, so I’m really only comparing this to my Wonderboom. It trumps the Wonderboom, as you’d expect. It’s louder, more rounded and more balanced. It fills the room a lot better than the Wonderboom and just sounds so much more ‘premium’. My only real gripe is that you can’t connect it to non iOS devices. I’d love to be able to play music through my work laptop but again – it’s not a big deal for me and I went in knowing full well that this would be the case.

If you take the Homepod for what it is, I think you’ll be very impressed with it. If you’re expecting something big, super loud and super bassy then it’s probably not for you. If you’re on the fence I’d say give it a whirl before you dismiss it.

 

[Complex757]

You really have to wade through the muck in this topic.

Anyway mine should arrive tomorrow.

 

[gadgetpete]

As can be seen and mentioned this little unit is minimalistic, what you will find though is frustration with no visual sign from the sides or bottom that this is operating but then that would be copying other sensible devices already on the market, further to that the volume up and down button are barely visible on the top of the unit, no help for visually impaired as just flat printed plus and minus, it’s a guessing game at what you are touching, poor design there in my opinion as you can accidentally turn the thing off.

Not at all blown away just a feeling of huge disappointment after watching YouTube videos, there are stacks of better speakers out there for the money but I guess it’s the Apple integration that sells it, but there is a big world outside Apple and a hell of a lot of things this little thing will not work with. Like anything Apple once you have bought it you try to think of ways to justify it even if you know it’s too expensive and pretty rubbish, phone case for example, but for this there is a lot of technology in it so that can’t be said, however if it was back to yesterday would I have ordered it? certainly not! Will I keep it? of course, it’s another gadget to clutter my house. Amazon Echo is King by a long way, if you want a desk speaker there is plenty of choices but at least they have had a go and I now have my 20w power brick 😄

 

[I7guy]

... as you will get SO much more home integration for smart enabled devices, ...

Exactly what I don't care about. My needs are playing music over airplay, apple music and some basic smart intelligence. I have an echo dot that is in the closet, I gave it a good try and amazon music, honestly, is pretty good. But I can see the homepod mini in several rooms providing music background.

To each their own.

 

[theaudiobully87]

As can be seen and mentioned this little unit is minimalistic, what you will find though is frustration with no visual sign from the sides or bottom that this is operating but then that would be copying other sensible devices already on the market, further to that the volume up and down button are barely visible on the tip of the unit, no assurance for visually impaired as just flat printed plus and minus, it’s a guessing game at what you are touching, poor design there in my opinion as you can accident turn the thing off.

Not at all blown away just a feeling of huge disappointment after watching YouTube videos, there are stacks of better speakers out there for the money but I guess it’s the Apple integration that sells it, but there is a big world outside Apple and a hell of a lot of things this little thing will not work with. Like anything Apple once you have bought it you try to think of ways to justify it even if you know it’s too expensive and pretty rubbish, phone case for example, but for this there is a lot of technology in it so that can’t be said, however if it was back to yesterday would I have ordered it? certainly not! Will I keep it? of course, it’s another gadget to clutter my house. Amazon Echo is King by a long way, if you want a desk speaker there is plenty of choices but at least they have had a go and I now have my 20w power brick 😄

Whilst I do appreciate your very honest review of it, I can't help but feel that you're knocking it a bit more than you really feel. If I received a speaker that didn't live up to my expectations, I wouldn't keep it. I'd return it. End of. I don't feel like keeping it because 'it's another gadget to clutter my house' is a good enough reason to keep a device that doesn't live up to my expectations. Even if money were no object, it's pretty ridiculous.

 

[gadgetpete]

Whilst I do appreciate your very honest review of it, I can't help but feel that you're knocking it a bit more than you really feel. If I received a speaker that didn't live up to my expectations, I wouldn't keep it. I'd return it. End of. I don't feel like keeping it because 'it's another gadget to clutter my house' is a good enough reason to keep a device that doesn't live up to my expectations. Even if money were no object, it's pretty ridiculous.

The power brick was my first reason for getting it, a £20 value, secondly I am a total Apple fanboy and have an awful lot of their products, recently I have seen changes, some not fo the good in my opinion, with regards to the HomePod they really missed the bus and have fallen so far behind they will never catch up, I appreciate the work they have put into this little speaker although design wise as mentioned a few minor things could have been changed, it certainly has a place, perhaps on a desk or small room/kitchen/bedroom, mention of it replacing a Sonos system are utter rubbish, all I would ask is honesty, I bought it on the back of some of these claims having never heard it in real life, you don‘t need to be an expert to appreciate the quality of sound so that is where my underwhelming comes from, taking away the lack of integration with a lot of other third party smart home devices doesn’t take away the gadgetness of it, it is a very clever magic box as I said earlier, and for that reason I will find a place for it, its just managing expectations that’s all.

For the equivalent of £80 discounting the power brick worth £20 which I am now using for the MagSafe phone charger it is an absolute bargain compared to a £59 piece of leather/plastic Apple phone case, the cost just can’t be compared, but to an Amazon Echo for sound and functionality it gets kicked out the park!

Hope that helps, and all are my first impressions which what was asked for, why not be honest? that’s way things improve!

 

[gadgetpete]

Exactly what I don't care about. My needs are playing music over airplay, apple music and some basic smart intelligence. I have an echo dot that is in the closet, I gave it a good try and amazon music, honestly, is pretty good. But I can see the homepod mini in several rooms providing music background.

To each their own.

As you say each to their own, honesty in what it can and cannot do and getting what is RIGHT for your needs is paramount, that way nobody is disappointed. I had a pretty good idea of what to expect but some reviews I read and watched did give me false hope, I am keeping it as it DOES have a place I just need to find it, I thought I had but need some more experimenting, a lot of work has gone into it but sometime you wish they would perhaps get out a bit more and speak to customers about their wants and needs, I am sure the Pro version will be even better 😁

Anyway loads more reviews to come in yet so lets see how people get on with it 👍