HomePod Appreciating in Value Following Discontinuation

[bakerzdosen]

I'd own more if I could still get the BestBuy sale price of $199 (they had it a few times for this price.)

I get that this was part of the problem with the product: no one wanted to pay $299 - or at least not as many people as Apple anticipated.

The OG HomePod isn't even remotely similar to the mini. I own 3x minis and 3x OG HomePods and the sound quality out of the mini's feels like a tinny clock radio in comparison to the OG's.

With that said, I expect at least several more years out of all of our OG's - even if they cease to provide them updates at some point.

 

[sorgo †]

I wouldn’t be surprised if the HomePod comes back at some point. If the mini keeps selling well, they might try again and (maybe) with a better balance on the pricing.

Love this optimism 🔊💕

 

[cjboffoli97]

I recall making a pretty penny on my (meticulously kept) iPod Hi-Fi when I sold it, years after it was discontinued.

 

[Black Magic]

So disappointed they discontinued the OG HomePod - I use my 2 near daily for music, so I will be very sad when either eventually gives up its soul.

I wish Apple would still invest in niche markets since the OG HomePod shines in that light. Unfortunately, though a success with its high satisfaction and hardware implementation, it failed as far as how Apple’s strategy plays mass adoption to get more bucks out of their existing customer base... partly because Siri was too weak and terribly ecosystem-unaware at launch, and also because smart-speaker focused competitors are much cheaper and more dynamic in function.

I was sent a survey within the past month or so regarding HomePod and my usage. I'm guessing they are looking at a new product or adding features. Don't be surprised if a new type of HomePod drops in the future.

 

[randyhudson]

I sold my two HomePods for $600 each. I replaced them with 2 Klipsch RP-600M bookshelf speakers, an RP-504C center channel, 4 RP-502S surround speakers, and a 300W Sub. Now spoken dialog actually comes from the person talking on screen.

I couldn't be happier.

 

[macsound1]

I think in general, Apple has had a real timing issue lately.
We're in kind of the same situation now with iMac. Only the small version - no regular size. Just like the homepod.

Specifically for homepod though, Apple wants to do Matter. The mini has it but the full size didn't. Maybe they were going to update the lineup but couldn't get it together in time. Then covid.

 

[tacticaldrunk]

Bought 2 HomePods in white when Apple announced they would discontinue them. I love them and treat them like raw eggs. They should just bring them back and lower the price a bit. Apple could totally compete with Sonos if they wanted to (although much love to Sonos, great hardware and software... maybe Apple will buy them one day)

 

[otozuz]

I have two and love them. I don't think I'll ever sell them 🎵

 

[Quu]

I have two of these and really love the sound. I'll be searching for a while for something as nice when mine kick the bucket.

 

[Jimmy Goodwood]

I hope Apple comes out with Homepod 2, a new Improved version. I have 8 of them, 4 stereo pairs, and I love them.

 

[Jimmy Goodwood]

Would like a few more, and I would like a 12V DC version because they would make a great car stereo, just connect to the cars Wi-Fi and you have music on demand with decent voice control. Don't need an in dash unit, just mount them or toss them on the back seat and your good to go.

 

[jasonefmonk]

I see a lot people exuding the qualities of stereo-paired HomePods but I want to put in a good word for how goddamn good the HomePod sounds, just one on its own.

You can stick it in any room and get very pleasing room-filling sound from it. It will surprise you with its bass response and clarity. I have two and don’t stereo pair them because the value of having such good sound in two different rooms is too high. The long-standing pleasure of listening to the same tunes all around the house via AirPlay (since the AirPort Express!) is just that much better with a device as innocuous and powerful as the HomePod.

If you have any inclination at all you can do so much better than a HomePod pair for your home theatre! It’s a neat feature for small apartments I suppose but a 3.1 AVR set up would kill two HomePods. The HomePod excels at music first and foremost.

Also having so many Siri voice options helps give different speakers their own personality. As well as differentiating it from your carry-with-you Siri. My HomePods are used all the time for HomeKit controls.

 

[turbineseaplane]

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.

I hear ya'!
They sound great -- I hope they do another version at some point

(not optimistic about it though)

 

[turbineseaplane]

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.

Agreed. The reliability and long term inflexibility is what made me even think of parting ways.
The ability to 2x my money sealed the deal.

If they do this again, they really need to add an input jack as well as support normal bluetooth protocols.

I love great sounding speakers and don't mind if they are even expensive, so long as they are flexible and designed with longevity in mind.

The HomePods really don't fit any of that criteria other than the sound quality part.

 

[tubular]

Over the past week, used or refurbished HomePods sold for an average price of $336.03, while new HomePods sold for an average price of $638.76, indicating a steady climb in value.

Got three. Not for sale. Hope Apple makes more.

They're great devices but Apple let the narrative get away from them.

I guess it makes me think of the quad-core Mac mini that Apple stopped selling in 2014 -- they kept their value on eBay to an amazing degree, because the dual-core mini was just not sufficient. Then finally Apple saw the light in 2018 and bumped the specs back to the land of rationality again. I hope Apple sees a similar light on the HomePod OG.

 

[starman111]

I have 4 that I'm using, and a spare in the closet. Now I'm extra glad that I have a spare!

 

[tubular]

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.

Yeah -- it got clobbered in a comparison that made no sense.

 

[anson42]

I love this Homepod. Use it daily.

Ditto. We have two but I wanted one more and had to settle for a HomePod mini because of the crazy aftermarket prices. I knew I should have bought one on clearance when I had the chance!

 

[nutmac]

I see a lot people exuding the qualities of stereo-paired HomePods but I want to put in a good word for how goddamn good the HomePod sounds, just one on its own.

You can stick it in any room and get very pleasing room-filling sound from it. It will surprise you with its bass response and clarity. I have two and don’t stereo pair them because the value of having such good sound in two different rooms is too high. The long-standing pleasure of listening to the same tunes all around the house via AirPlay (since the AirPort Express!) is just that much better with a device as innocuous and powerful as the HomePod.

True, but with original HomePods becoming more difficult/pricier to purchase, I personally wouldn't waste them in a single speaker configuration.

I would get 2 HomePod minis per smaller rooms, while reserving the remaining supply of original HomePods for larger rooms.

I have a pair of HomePods for one of the TVs and the experience is nearly as good as decent subwoofer-less soundbar (e.g., Sonos Beam 2nd gen). I also have 2 pairs of HomePod minis for 2 of the bedrooms. They don't sound nearly as good as a single HomePod, with much wimpier bass and less neutral high-end. But in exchange, I get much better soundstage.

 

[imola.zhp]

Hopefully this data will move apple to release a second generation HomePod.

 

[krifor03]

OG HomePod is the "Family Guy" of Apple, it blew up after it got canceled. Hopefully, Apple realizes this and comes back with a sequel, then all the people selling dirty beat up OG's for $XXXX can get bent ? But, until then....I got my two ?‍♂️?‍♂

 

[GermanSuplex]

Garbage cash grab product, Timmey era signature.

https://9to5mac.com/2022/01/03/appl...lay-issues-when-connecting-multiple-homepods/

It was expensive, but for the features and quality I definitely wouldn't call it a cash grab. I've had mine well over two years, use it all the time and I reckon it will work for quite a few more years. There's a lot of comparable products, but they are either just as expensive and offer comparable sound quality, or a bit cheaper but don't integrate with the Apple ecosystem as well, etc.

Clearly its not for everyone, but I do not believe it was simply a cash grab.

 

[hooptyuber]

Apple launched the HomePods with their features and firmware way behind their hardware. They didn't even launch them with stereo capability. When did they add high res capability? I think it was just before or just after they discontinued them. It was a totally bungled and idiotic handling of what should have been a far better and more successful product.

 

[Shanghaichica]

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

Agreed. I love my HomePods and I know if one of my stereo pair died I would have to replace it.

 

[LeadingHeat]

BRING THEM BACK

Just update the “A” chip to an A12 or something and keep the sound the same but drop the price to $150. They’d sell like hotcakes.