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HomePod Appreciating in Value Following Discontinuation

I hope Apple re-thinks its speaker strategy and brings back a version of the HP. I have 2 connected to Apple TV and they are superb. I had a Bang and Olufsen set of speakers before and did a sound comparison which HomePod easily won. I want another set of them for another room - bring them back Apple!
 
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Yeah, no kidding. Some people want a high quality Airplay speaker made by Apple. I have a HomePod and a Mini. The Mini is great as a little extension speaker, but it's nowhere near the sound quality of the full-sized HomePod.

So many people whinged endlessly because it cost $350, comparing it to little garbage-ass Echo dots or whatever. Not the same product, and not in the same league.
 
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I got a survey from the product group asking for my thoughts on it, told them that for the price it needed a 3.5mm input. I still think that would have gone a long way toward endearing it more toward the higher-end it was marketed at.
 
bizzaregood said:
Use a pair for my Apple TV… if one breaks I would want to replace it and I guess I would have to pay whatever
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Me too! I got them both from ebay too, over MSRP! Don't care, they are absolutely amazing for movies and most importantly listening to music on youtube, how we spend most of our tv time.
 
Bought 3 brand new following the discontinuation. Added AppleCare+ days before the 1 year warranty ended. So essentially $339 and each unit is covered till March 2024. Sold one new sealed with AC+ for $550.

Also been buying dead units with no power for $130, replacing a $1.04 diode and selling them for $300-$330. Customer gets a thoroughly cleaned and tested unit. Mesh gets cleaned with laundry detergent, unit tested on 80% volume for a 10 days straight and sold.

I do believe the hardware is flawed. From failing diodes resulting in no power to failing capacitors and amplifier ICs resulting in the high DC offset (pop noise) to failing logic boards resulting in the spinning circle of death and or flashing volume lights. I keep plenty of parts on hand for my own units since they’ll eventually fail (probably sooner than later)

Thanks Tim!
 
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I love my HomePod and really hope to buy a second soon before these really start jumping in value. Using Siri on it is great because you don't have to yell, and it picks up my voice from anywhere in the apartment. Combined with its ability to control Home devices and its sound quality, its a great piece of kit. At $349, it was a tad expensive (though I think that's subjective - I still think its a good value at that price. However, many places would have it on sale for $199, and at that price, it goes from being overly expensive to a real bargain. I wish I had grabbed two when I purchased my first one.
 
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And here I am with mine, that was barely ever used and is currently not even plugged in.
 
I have my OG HomePod in the living room, it really does fill the whole room.

I put minis everywhere else. The sound isn’t as good. But it’ll do.
 
I would love for Apple to follow Sonos' playbook. Offer a soundbar similar to Sonos Arc, ideally with built-in Apple TV and support for pairing with multiple HomePods and HomePod minis for improved surround sound steering.

And bring back HomePods with upfiring drivers, faster processor (at least HomePod mini's S5), and ultra wideband.
 
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This was such a silly discontinuation. They should be brought back. Who cares if doesn’t sell millions. It was weird because Apple customers really didn’t understand the concept of Wi-Fi based home audio. They kept saying what about Bluetooth or six! It’s not portable!
 
SoldOnApple said:
Imagine what their value would be if it had an 3.5mm AUX input on them and you could use them in stereo on any phone, TV, and any PC/game console. I'd have already bought two of them for sure. If it could operate off a battery I'd probably keep one in my car too.
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Hit it right in the head, or even just allow any device to connect to it via Bluetooth.

I have my 2 HP with I love, but have a JBL boom box as massively as it is for its ability connect to anything.
 
I like my HomePod too but never bought more because their utility ends as soon as Apple decides to stop supporting them. I can see Apple breaking compatibility in a few years.
 
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turbineseaplane said:
Doubled my value when I sold mine!

Was happy to offload them — they will die at some point

Buyer beware out there.
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Yeah, this bums me out. I have 5 of them. 4 (2 stereo pairs) and 1 that got the pop and died. They get used everyday and are a part of our daily lives. Like a beloved pet, I am dreading the day they die and meet their maker.
 
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I have two and regret not buying another pair. Admittedly I only bought one at full pop, and the other I got when they were on sale for $199 at Bestbuy.

If Apple re-engineered them for cost down, without a loss of quality, and priced them at $229 I think they would do really well. I like the HomePod mini as well, but its not in the same league and isn't good enough for use with a TV and is really for more casual listening.
 
I wonder if the original model’s fate would’ve been much different if it had been kitted out with at least optical input, like soundbars.
 
icanhazmac said:
Apple's mistake with this product was having no less expensive option at launch. If they had launched the HP at the same time or slightly after the HP Mini it might have sold much better than it did.
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I think it was just bad timing: the HomePod was well priced as a competitor to expensive premium audiophile* Bluetooth speakers from Bose, Naim et. al. but came out just as “smart assistant” appliances from Google and Amazon started trending - not only more cheaply made (although there were/are higher end audiophile* models from Amagoogle) but subsidised by ad and shopping revenue.

Personally, lack of an audio input and complete dependence on Apple protocols would be a dealbreaker

As for appreciating in value - Apple should definitely re-introduce the Apple 1: just look how much those are going for today!

(*as in sold as audiophile - I make no judgement about whether you can actually hear the holes in the digital zeros…)
 
OS X Dude said:
The sad thing is it was phenomenal value for what you got. Incredibly so when discounted like it was. 'Good enough' is sadly enough for most people when it comes to audio quality and the proliferation of £30 Echo Dots is testament to that.
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totally agree however the market lives with its own rules
 
karranz said:
HomePod minis sound is nowhere near the sound that the original HomePod has. Please apple give as the original HomePod!
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I would not want the original HomePod. I would want an upgraded OG HomePod with onboard storage for improved smart home capabilities; For example, not having to have an Apple TV, iPhone, or iPad at home to take advantage of location based automations.

Amazon and Google have been integrating smart home with their smart speakers. I'm sad to see Apple letting go of this opportunity. It feels like they aren't serious about Smart Home.

I don't need an Apple TV, but I have OG HomePods around the house. I sold the HomePod mini I got after a significant drop in sound performance compared to OG HomePods. They just aren't loud enough for my needs.
 
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