HomePod Got HomePod? HomePod vs SoundBar for music?

[jyyz]

Interested in hearing from people who have a HomePod; how does it compare to your TV soundbar?

I live in a condo and have a nice sounding budget Sony soundbar (HT-CT260.) The soundbar sounds decent, and I got it as a compromise: more power would bother my neighbours. (As it stands I rattle the people next door’s dishes if I turn up the volume and base.)

What’s a HomePod like compare to a say 310 watt soundbar? I use the soundbar for TV, movies, but also music right now.

Does one HomePod have “enough,” or will you really need two with full-room?

Thanks!

 

[DaveOP]

I have a Sonos Playbar, and it definitely fills the room more than my Homepod. I think two of these would be needed to fill a big space.

 

[Mak47]

It’s going to depend on the size of the room. I have a budget sound bar and subwoofer that filled my living room just fine (maybe 300 sq. ft.). Then I got the HomePod.

Even at 20% volume the room is full and the bass is clean and very present. HomePod does seem to push a lot of bass. You can feel it, especially at volume. If you have easily disturbed neighbors you may find it to be a bit too much.

 

[jyyz]

It’s going to depend on the size of the room. I have a budget sound bar and subwoofer that filled my living room just fine (maybe 300 sq. ft.). Then I got the HomePod.

Even at 20% volume the room is full and the bass is clean and very present. HomePod does seem to push a lot of bass. You can feel it, especially at volume. If you have easily disturbed neighbors you may find it to be a bit too much.

Thanks Mak47. How would you compare the sound from the HomePod vs your soundbar and subwoofer? Does one HomePod sound decent enough / better than the soundbar, or do you feel like you would need two linked up when that’s possible.

Also what soundbar do you have?

Thanks again.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Do you use your TV for things beyond the Apple TV?

Even when airplay 2 comes I don't see how HomePod is a good substitute for a sound bar as there is no direct line in and all audio to it has to come through airplay which has a lot of compromises for general TV usage.

It's hard to beat a good quality sound bar that's positioned correctly and directly connected to the TV in terms of cost for the quality of sound you can get and the overall experience.

 

[jyyz]

Do you use your TV for things beyond the Apple TV?

Even when airplay 2 comes I don't see how HomePod is a good substitute for a sound bar as there is no direct line in and all audio to it has to come through airplay which has a lot of compromises for general TV usage.

It's hard to beat a good quality sound bar that's positioned correctly and directly connected to the TV in terms of cost for the quality of sound you can get and the overall experience.

Thanks, I’m not looking for the HomePod to replace the soundbar, I’m okay with that for TV. I am however looking to see if the HomePod will be better sounding than the soundbar for playing music.

I ended up picking up a HomePod. I think I will need two. It sounds nice, I think I was expecting a bit more in terms of volume. Try the Apple Music Essential Synthpop playlist.

 

[Unprocessed1]

Interested in the answer to this too. I have a Bose SoundTouch 300 + subwoofer and surrounds, but the Bose app to play music is dreadful and incredibly glitchy.

 

[jyyz]

I had a fun time with Siri going through songs tonight. Sounds good, but I think you need two to really be happy. My living room is 11x16 and I don’t feel it’s loud enough.

 

[bewitz]

Thanks Mak47. How would you compare the sound from the HomePod vs your soundbar and subwoofer? Does one HomePod sound decent enough / better than the soundbar, or do you feel like you would need two linked up when that’s possible.

Also what soundbar do you have?

Thanks again.