Hands-On With Apple's Second-Generation HomePod

[MacRumors]

Today is the official launch day for the second-generation HomePod that was introduced in January, and we picked one up to compare it to the original HomePod that Apple discontinued in 2021.

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Design wise, the second-generation HomePod looks a lot like the first-generation model, featuring the same rounded design and acoustic mesh fabric. It's ever so slightly shorter, and the main external change is the swap to a new recessed edge-to-edge touch display.

The display makes a notable aesthetic difference as it feels more integrated into the speaker, but it has the same general function as the display on the original HomePod. It lights up and changes with Siri requests, and various tap gestures can be used for play/pause, volume adjustments, and swapping songs.

With the S7 chip (which is an Apple Watch SoC), Siri activates quicker on the new HomePod model, but you probably won't notice much else in terms of performance differences. As for sound quality, it's remarkably similar to the original HomePod even though Apple has cut down on the number of tweeters. There are five beamforming tweeters inside, down from seven tweeters, and there are also just four microphones instead of six. Despite that, the new HomePod seems to respond just as quickly to Siri commands.

Apple says that it remade the HomePod after discontinuing the first model because it started seeing customer interest for the "acoustics of a richer larger speaker" and because the HomePod team loves the shape and form factor of the original.

For those who want something that outperforms the HomePod mini, the second-generation HomePod is worth picking up, and Apple has priced it at $299, the same price as the former HomePod before it was discontinued.

Article Link: Hands-On With Apple's Second-Generation HomePod

 

[djcerla]

Got it today.

It really sounds fantastic. On smart speakers, you often get the impression of a sub bass via an hyped, resonant & boxy lo-mid (150-300 Hz), Bose-style, but boy we do have genuine subs here.

 

[orbital~debris]

Noticeably shorter power cable with the second-generation, too.

I placed mine in the same location in my kitchen as the first-generation model I sold, and the cable now has to go (fairly tautly) across the counter, instead of hanging along the edge, rope-bridge style.

Because of this, it's more likely to be affected by spillages… As the new cable is removable (and re-insertable!), I wondered if Apple sell replacements – haven't been able to locate any on their store yet, but perhaps it's something available via AppleCare+ (if you have it)?

 

[currentinterest]

Got two today. They sound great and Siri is very responsive.

 

[csalm87]

Got it today.

It really sounds fantastic. Usually on smart speakers you get the impression of a sub bass via an hyped, resonant & boxy lo-mid (150-300 Hz), Bose-style, but boy we do have genuine subs here.

I do agree they sound fantastic and slightly better than the originals in my opinion. Not by a lot, but I do notice very subtle differences.

 

[xraig]

Wasn't the prior model $349?

 

[jhfenton]

Wasn't the prior model $349?

It was $349 at launch. Apple dropped it to $299 later.

 

[now i see it]

“and get one soon because it could be discontinued next year”

 

[BGPL]

Fewer tweeters, fewer mics, and a shorter power cable... but overall it's largely unchanged. Sounds like a Tim Cook special "upgrade". Does it come with a Tim Cook baseball card with the smirk? Not to be confused with the "employees are giving out my secrets" frowny face.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗]

It sounds phenomenally amazing. 🙌🏻🔊

 

[tonie walker]

...initial observation was i kinda didn't like the overall sound with Dolby Atmos music it feel like a tin can that everything sound so loud, it was better on the gen 1, mids are more louder also with Gen 2. My ears might adjust later or Gen 2 still working with my living room space to optimised the sound. Was watching Wakanda Forever one of the scene has deep bass and it cause my coffee table (glass top) to vibrate, insane.

I can only appreciate the attention given to the external box design.

 

[UltimateSyn]

Just set mine up in the master bedroom - sounds SO good.

 

[roar08]

A pair is great for home theater. But if you're looking for a pair for just music and don't really care about having a smart speaker, the Sonos One SLs are incredibly good an a pair is less than $100 more than a single Homepod. But ... if you don't have any home theater rigging and you want some, a pair of Homepods is seriously good.

 

[tongxinshe]

Too expensive! Siri is too dumb! It’s bound to fail again.

 

[Lampekap]

Pull tab shows arrow to the left... opens the pull tab to the right.

 

[Frosties]

Noticeably shorter power cable with the second-generation, too.

I placed mine in the same location in my kitchen as the first-generation model I sold, and the cable now has to go (fairly tautly) across the counter, instead of hanging along the edge, rope-bridge style.

Because of this, it's more likely to be affected by spillages… As the new cable is removable (and re-insertable!), I wondered if Apple sell replacements – haven't been able to locate any on their store yet, but perhaps it's something available via AppleCare+ (if you have it)?

one youtuber claimed a regular power cable fit. Have you tried it?

 

[spockwasanaspie]

Pull tab shows arrow to the left... opens the pull tab to the right.

Every time. And then he's visibly annoyed at how hard they were to pull.

 

[smythey]

one youtuber claimed a regular power cable fit. Have you tried it?

Certainly looks like a standard C7 (figure-8) connector. Same as the one on the Apple TV.

 

[m.x]

Certainly looks like a standard C7 (figure-8) connector. Same as the one on the Apple TV.

It should be the standard connector you mentioned. I don't think Apple would go through the hassle and develop a new connector (with approval etc) only for such a niche product.

 

[MrWillie]

How does it sound compared to the Minis ???

 

[Student of Life]

Do they come with the Apple stickers?

 

[UltimateSyn]

How does it sound compared to the Minis ???

It sounds significantly better than the Mini. Particularly in the low-end. Very similar to the 1st-gen HomePod.

 

[anthogag]

You have 2 speakers, where is the comparison 1 then 2 speakers? 🤪

 

[meboy]

It must be so easy to shop for audio gear if you think these sound good.
I'm envious.. or not.
And yes, I've heard them in person.

There are so many other/better solutions but yes these Bluetooth devices are easy.

 

[meboy]

Got it today.

It really sounds fantastic. On smart speakers, you often get the impression of a sub bass via an hyped, resonant & boxy lo-mid (150-300 Hz), Bose-style, but boy we do have genuine subs here.

Genuine subs down to around 65hz.. from a 4" driver..