Just like iOS/OS -- some of us users who focus on the content don't necessarily benefit from forced changes from designers who focus on the operating system a bit too much.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Hands-On With Apple's Second-Generation HomePod
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I get your point. My problem was that "This was going too cost Apple a small fortune in replacement cost." implied that it was such a widespread problem affecting large number of customers. It was a beta problem and it was fixed. It never was a "gate" issue.
Certainly should sound better, but for 2.6 times the price. An apples to oranges comparison, need apples to apples.
Used?
I've seen them regularly go for 400. Even as low as 300/350 sometimes.
Seen sets go for 750 pretty regularly.
Of course it's unfair to compare used with new for mainstream market (average consumers aren't so educated and if they were the used market prices would rise with demand, throwing an wrench in this) but smart people, enthusiats don't care about just what they can buy new retail. They get the best the can for their money.
If you can't hear the difference then there's no point in even discussing it though.
Anyone that can would clearly hear what's the better buy and choose the monitor.
If you really want exact same retail price then you can still find a good handful of monitors that retail new for the same price that also destroy the sound quality of the homepod.
I don't mean to be a self-appointed gatekeeper to this thread but the Apples to Adams comparison is off track, in my opinion. I feel that after the HomePod is shown once as a crappy self-powered monitor the discussion should move on: If you want the best audio from a self-powered monitor speaker, shop elsewhere. I'd love a set of Genelec or Adam monitors. And I might go shopping for them when I'm setting up a music room - except I personally like other options in that situation.
Example of a bad comparison in a bad comparison - I'd love my Vespa to have the same cargo capacity as my Suburban. Both have wheels and an engine. (I've seen scooters with trailers in Türkiye but never wanted to try it)
The HomePod is not being touted as a studio monitor and the Adam is not a smart speaker. The HomePod is a computational audio device - and it sounds like one. I has digititis (but can be tweak with over-the-air updates). I totally agree with all posters above saying if one is looking for the best audio reproduction from a speaker with a built-in amp for under $1500 a pair: the HomePod does not even compete. However; the HomePod 2 does have use cases where it makes sense.
What would I need to get an Adam or Genelec to perform as well as a HomePod 2 in a small home theater setup? First, I'd need to bring in room treatments. Does the Adam process Dolby ATMOS? How is that going to work? And what does an Adam need to be a smart speaker? (Not that Siri is "smart;" just say'n) The Adam might be AMAZING after all of that; but at more than $2k?
The HomePod is, at the top, for Apple fans: It requires the Apple eco system to a pretty high degree. Any comparison to studio monitors is like comparing an AirPod Max set to a pair of Magnepans - both make music but each has their own use. The Max can cancel unwanted noise, simulate surround sound, move around the house emitting music, are a phone headset and a 'smart' (excuse me) device. The Maggies just stand 2 feet from the wall promising far better music if you get the electronics and room treatments that are still needed.
Last edited:
There was really no need to bring into this thread any discussion of what provides better sound quality than the HP especially if they don't provide the other features the HP provides, in my opinion. For many/most, their (and my) interest in this discussion is about wanting the best audio from an Apple HomePod, and the perception that Apple re-introduced a HomePod with objectively less hardware and subjectively worse sound performance than the Gen 1 is a big disappointment and sticking point worth discussing. That's an apples-to-apples discussion that's worth having.
I think around post #32 in this thread, things started veering away from the HomePod Gen 2 and towards "oranges" providing better sound, (i.e., options different than a HomePod), attracting input from others having high interest and knowledge in those types of speakers.
I myself am interested only in 2 of 5 key things I look at the HP's as being able to provide in 1 package:
1) great sound
2) the ease of using Airplay to easily setup and select different speakers throughout the house
3) siri
4) intercom
5) Homekit hub
#1 & 2 is what primarily drove me to wanting a HP. #3 is a take or or leave it for me. #4 is a surprise & delight nice to have. #5 I look forward to starting to use more, especially as #3 gets better.
Few to no bookshelf/powered speakers easily provide #2-5, so regardless of whether or not sub-$600 options provide 10x the sound quality of a HP, it wasn't worth bring them into this discussion if they don't do #2-5 well if at all.
People say you have to spend a lot more to get better sound. Okay, but if you are willing to put up with an amp--which really isn't that inconvenient--and a pair of bookshelf speakers, you get better sound for less than the $600 a pair of HomePods costs. That's why I can't justify keeping these. They are getting shipped back tomorrow. I bought them as a curiosity. Has modern tech equalled or surpassed the old tech for audio? The answer is no. Sounds decent, but closer to a pair of $100 computer speakers than a true hi-fi setup. Pefect for a beach party at the summer cottage, but for everyday listening, I want something better.
Actually, some "People say..." the HomePod is not just a speaker; it's a computational audio device. I agree with you if you only want a speaker and I agree with you that there are better/cheaper music systems. I see HomePod as something else.
When I first hooked up my HomePod it sounded like crap. Apple has since pushed out two updates and each one has improved the sound. Now it sounds better than the $500 soundbar it replaced. Audio speakers can't do that, as a rule.
And a bonus for me was I didn't needed sound treatments in the TV room to fix the suck acoustics. Oh, and I got Dolby ATMOS for the TV between the "speakers."
Here is an exercise: Your phone has a camera. There are better cameras for less money. Therefore your phone is not worth buying. This logic doesn't work unless you only want a camera.
My guess is Apple is trying to do to casual home audio what they and other smart phone companies did to snapshot photography, with the HomePod being their first generation attempt.
I dig it: not for you. Me? I hope they keep trying for the next 10 years, I'd like to see where they take it.
When I first hooked up my HomePod it sounded like crap. Apple has since pushed out two updates and each one has improved the sound. Now it sounds better than the $500 soundbar it replaced. Audio speakers can't do that, as a rule.
And a bonus for me was I didn't needed sound treatments in the TV room to fix the suck acoustics. Oh, and I got Dolby ATMOS for the TV between the "speakers."
Here is an exercise: Your phone has a camera. There are better cameras for less money. Therefore your phone is not worth buying. This logic doesn't work unless you only want a camera.
My guess is Apple is trying to do to casual home audio what they and other smart phone companies did to snapshot photography, with the HomePod being their first generation attempt.
I dig it: not for you. Me? I hope they keep trying for the next 10 years, I'd like to see where they take it.
Last edited:
i like that the HomePod gives good (not great) sound from a small, pretty much self-contained package. It can sit on the limited table space in my living room and will play music that I can listen to as I go about my life doing things about the house. I don’t want something large or that needs extra components. I don’t want to spend even more money for something better when I’m not spending my time sitting in front of the speakers focused on them. I’m doing other things while the music fills the environment.
I understand being an audiophile but it’s not something I want.
So if your $350 og hp dies you out of luck. All because of an apple used faulty diode.
2 HomePods are no where near 75% as good as a true stereo system.
I have a bunch of hp. They are nice for what they are. Condo living doesn’t allow for much more.
But I also had a real stereo when I owned a home. Not even close
So, did anyone decisively diagnose the problem with the failing HomePods we saw last year and the year prior? I have two of the originals, they’re around 3-1/2 years old now, and still function fine.
When all of the reports of overheating and HP dying started to proliferate here on the forums, I stopped allowing my HP to update software. Some of the first failures came after one of the software updates. The thinking was that something in the update caused the HP to overheat, due to failure of one or more parts.
I became very nervous about the whole thing and stopped any further sw updates. They’re still functional today, and I haven’t had any problems. I don’t plan to update them in case it was something software-driven which exacerbated a weak or faulty part.
And though I like them, when they do die, I don’t know if I would replace them with a new set, just because of Apple’s poor support of this product line.
But I do really like the functionality of small, acoustically aware self-powered wireless speakers.
Im pretty sure that the diode issue was confirmed. Some have replaced it. Mine are still working but I know their time is limited.
I won’t replace mine when they go. At least I only paid 179 and 189 for mine at BB
Yeah, I thought the price was high, so I bought both of mine slightly used for around $225 each. Honestly, they were both indistinguishable from ‘new.’ Just that both boxes had slight dents in them.
The question is what other self-powered non-Google (& non-Samsung; and isn’t looking to data-mine me), but rather audio-first company product that is also attractive AND sounds decent is out there? Genuinely asking. I don’t want hideous boxes…and I love the computational audio aspect of these. Not to mention the seamless connection to Apple Music and my phone, ipad, etc.
I‘ll definitely watch how well this new model endures, and whether any similar problems crop up after 2-3 years. Hopefully, these OG HomePods will last that long.
Nope, I repair HomePods and the diode is probably the easiest repair out of all the issues
I’ll keep this info in case mine decide to die.
Thanks
Agreed; it’s Apples and Oranges
I’ve owned Adam A7X for years, used for hobby music production and general consumption from my Macbook Pro w/ Babyface Pro interface. I’m also a brand new owner of a stereo pair of Homepod 2.
So far, I think I’m going to prefer music consumption on HP — Apple’s DSP processing tricks are very appealing to my ears, with it’s ultra spacious, room filling sound stage and slightly colored “sweetness“ on the mids and highs… It’s far less tiring for long listening sessions, compared to the clinical sound of the Adams.. I still love listening to music on my monitors, but its better for more active critical listening sessions. When I want to lay back, close my eyes and chill with the music, HP is my new favorite.
I’ve owned Adam A7X for years, used for hobby music production and general consumption from my Macbook Pro w/ Babyface Pro interface. I’m also a brand new owner of a stereo pair of Homepod 2.
So far, I think I’m going to prefer music consumption on HP — Apple’s DSP processing tricks are very appealing to my ears, with it’s ultra spacious, room filling sound stage and slightly colored “sweetness“ on the mids and highs… It’s far less tiring for long listening sessions, compared to the clinical sound of the Adams.. I still love listening to music on my monitors, but its better for more active critical listening sessions. When I want to lay back, close my eyes and chill with the music, HP is my new favorite.