HomePod HomePod Discontinued... Discussion.

[turbineseaplane]

I've been trying out my HP set with the Apple TV and it just doesn't do it for me in that usage case.

For music the stereo pair is wonderful, but for watching TV/Movies, my soundbar is much much better for things like hearing the dialogue. I think the sound bar is really benefiting from all the sound coming straight out right at me where I'm sitting.

 

[Itinj24]

I've been trying out my HP set with the Apple TV and it just doesn't do it for me in that usage case.

For music the stereo pair is wonderful, but for watching TV/Movies, my soundbar is much much better for things like hearing the dialogue. I think the sound bar is really benefiting from all the sound coming straight out right at me where I'm sitting.

I was thinking of adding a soundbar and putting the stereo pair of HomePods behind me. Wonder how that would sound.

 

[BobRey77]

Really interesting discussion on these pages. And great to hear now that HomePod will support lossless. 👍🏻

I come at the HomePod from an audiophile background of about 40 years, and have very recently had audio systems where the ‘audiophile’ mains cables each cost more than 3 or 4 HomePods.

So I’m clearly a senile, obsessive idiot … but there you go.

I bought a HomePod as a curiosity, then a second to make up a stereo pair.

And found that, properly mounted and with the latest updates, it was good enough in its portrayal of pace, rhythm and timing to junk my existing audio system.

To my ears and what’s important to me musically (and I stress the personal in both of those, not everyone would agree as we all seem to place different priorities on what’s important musically*), it’s really that good.

So am delighted it’ll soon get Lossless, and such a shame that many more people may not be able to experience music replay of such quality for so little money.

* There was an interesting discussion around blind listening tests earlier. This has been a hot topic amongst audiophiles for years, and there are plenty of scientific papers if you’re interested to pursue it further, which argue either that’ it’s highly accurate as a methodology, or pretty-much a complete waste of time as it often measures the wrong things.

I, too, have had a number of increasingly higher end audio systems. All of this gear and wiring are now gone from the scene replaced by a single pair of OG HomePods, an ATV4K and Apple Music. Other than the house shaking bass from my old and departed REL sub, the HomePods sound as good to me as the far more expensive and complicated system they replaced. It's really quite amazing and I simply can't understand why this wonderful product wasn't successful among audiophiles. Perhaps most of them never paid any attention to a lowly smart speaker from Apple. Pity.

I also have a couple of sets of minis in two other rooms serving up multi-room audio, something my old system could only have provided at additional expense, complexity and even more wires.

As for lossless, great that the Pods will support it although I suspect it won't be much, if any, improvement.

 

[Synomenon]

I, too, have had a number of increasingly higher end audio systems. All of this gear and wiring are now gone from the scene replaced by a single pair of OG HomePods, an ATV4K and Apple Music. Other than the house shaking bass from my old and departed REL sub, the HomePods sound as good to me as the far more expensive and complicated system they replaced. It's really quite amazing and simply can't understand why this wonderful product wasn't successful among audiophiles. Perhaps most of them never paid any attention to a lowly smart speaker from Apple. Pity.

I also have a couple of sets of minis in two other rooms giving me multi-room audio, something my old system could only have provided at additional expense, complexity and even more wires.

As for lossless, great that the Pods will support it although I suspect it won't be much, if any, of an improvement.

I've recently replaced a traditional AV system (Marantz AV receiver, 3.1 setup with Atmos / front height speakers and SVS PB12-NSD sub.).

The 2021 ATV 4K + OG HomePod stereo setup sounds cleaner and crisper to me. Only thing missing is the bass from the sub.. The HomePod stereo setup has bass that's good enough for me, just not as deep and boomy as the SVS.

 

[richard371]

I, too, have had a number of increasingly higher end audio systems. All of this gear and wiring are now gone from the scene replaced by a single pair of OG HomePods, an ATV4K and Apple Music. Other than the house shaking bass from my old and departed REL sub, the HomePods sound as good to me as the far more expensive and complicated system they replaced. It's really quite amazing and I simply can't understand why this wonderful product wasn't successful among audiophiles. Perhaps most of them never paid any attention to a lowly smart speaker from Apple. Pity.

I also have a couple of sets of minis in two other rooms serving up multi-room audio, something my old system could only have provided at additional expense, complexity and even more wires.

As for lossless, great that the Pods will support it although I suspect it won't be much, if any, improvement.

Same. I feel they didn't catch on because SIRI was so bad at the time compared to Alexa/Google. I could have cared less as I never used those features. All I wanted was good sound. Now if Apple will allow us to add a couple minis as rears that would be awesome.

 

[BobRey77]

Same. I feel they didn't catch on because SIRI was so bad at the time compared to Alexa/Google. I could have cared less as I never used those features. All I wanted was good sound. Now if Apple will allow us to add a couple minis as rears that would be awesome.

Yes, I hope that Home Theatre mode will continue to evolve to include mini rears with full surround and that there is a follow on product to replace the OG HomePod that either adds functionality and/or costs less. We can only hope...

 

[turbineseaplane]

I wish I could tell my HomePod pair which direction my couch is in so it could focus movie and TV dialogue towards me

 

[Allyance]

I would never dream of replacing my stereo/home theater system with a pair of Homepods! 40 years in the retail stereo and professional audio business I have been accustomed to high quality sound. As a Pro JBL sound contractor for many years, I have built systems from Hawaii to Bermuda. Homepods are not an audiophile device. I think they would be laughed out of Absolute Sound. I have one in the kitchen, which works well for occasional listening to iTunes.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I would never dream of replacing my stereo/home theater system with a pair of Homepods! 40 years in the retail stereo and professional audio business I have been accustomed to high quality sound. As a Pro JBL sound contractor for many years, I have built systems from Hawaii to Bermuda. Homepods are not an audiophile device. I think they would be laughed out of Absolute Sound. I have one in the kitchen, which works well for occasional listening to iTunes.

I am not sure what “audiophile device” really means, but I will say that a stereo pair of HomePods can sound pretty damned good.

The sound quality bang for the buck and ease-of-use is pretty spectacular for the average user.

If you haven’t heard a stereo pair of them, prepare to be surprised.
It’s a significant step up from just one unit by itself

 

[pup]

Yeah, that Apple logo has a way of making people think things are nicer than they are.

 

[Synomenon]

I would never dream of replacing my stereo/home theater system with a pair of Homepods! 40 years in the retail stereo and professional audio business I have been accustomed to high quality sound. As a Pro JBL sound contractor for many years, I have built systems from Hawaii to Bermuda. Homepods are not an audiophile device. I think they would be laughed out of Absolute Sound. I have one in the kitchen, which works well for occasional listening to iTunes.

Most consumers aren't audiophiles. Everyone at home is happier now that we've simplified the setup. We still have sound quality everyone's happy with AND the setup is much more simple to use (no more juggling multiple remotes since eARC is working as it's supposed to with our setup).

 

[Allyance]

Most consumers aren't audiophiles. Everyone at home is happier now that we've simplified the setup. We still have sound quality everyone's happy with AND the setup is much more simple to use (no more juggling multiple remotes since eARC is working as it's supposed to with our setup).

I define an audiophile as a person who listens to his equipment and not the music! I sold alot of high equipment, but not much "audiophile" equipment. I used to joke that they thought they hear the difference between 10' and 20' of wire. Be happy with the equipment you have and enjoy Apple's upgraded sound.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I used to joke that they thought they hear the difference between 10' and 20' of wire.

I'll bet there is a forum somewhere with a long argument about something JUST like that.

 

[richard371]

With audiophile equip these days its mostly posh. I used to work in high end AV stores selling $20k sound systems consisting of Marantz amps, CD players thats cost 5k etc. I thought it was a bunch of BS but the build quality was nice and made people feel they are getting better sound. Nice placebo. We sold cables that costs $100s etc. We have made progress over time going from cassettes to CDs etc as far as sound quality. I was the only one in my college in the 90s with a DAT recorder and I though I was the Sh**. I think as long as you have good speakers, I don't think 99.99% f us can tell the diff between 16/44.1 vs 32/324 etc. Sound is very subjective like art. To me my HomePods in stereo sound as good as a pair of Sonus Faber speakers with a high end DAC/Amp just a different sound stage.

 

[Shanghaichica]

With audiophile equip these days its mostly posh. I used to work in high end AV stores selling $20k sound systems consisting of Marantz amps, CD players thats cost 5k etc. I thought it was a bunch of BS but the build quality was nice and made people feel they are getting better sound. Nice placebo. We sold cables that costs $100s etc. We have made progress over time going from cassettes to CDs etc as far as sound quality. I was the only one in my college in the 90s with a DAT recorder and I though I was the Sh**. I think as long as you have good speakers, I don't think 99.99% f us can tell the diff between 16/44.1 vs 32/324 etc. Sound is very subjective like art. To me my HomePods in stereo sound as good as a pair of Sonus Faber speakers with a high end DAC/Amp just a different sound stage.

I’m not an audiophile. I’m willing to pay for a better experience but I wouldn’t go to extremes. I find the homepods to be excellent for my use case. They sound great in a stereo pair and give me a hassle free set up for my Apple TV. I’ve had a 5.1 system in the past. It took up a lot of space and having kids now it’s not something that I could have at home. The homepods are compact and convenient.

 

[Allyance]

Your Homepods are good fit for you, they sound good and most of they can play music from iTunes all on their own.
I built my home theater system out of hand me downs equipment I have had for years. I bought a pair of Large Advents in walnut cabinets for a $100 that needed reconing, the foam surrounds had disintegrated, and the seller didn't know how to do it. My center channel are two Small Advents side by side, I inherited from my Father-in-law. Only thing I bought new was the Apple TV, a Blue Ray player and some good computer speakers with a sub for the rear channel (you don't need much in the way speakers for the ambient information). Total investment about $500. System rocks, I have a very small living space, and I live by myself these days, so this will have to do.

 

[BobRey77]

Your Homepods are good fit for you, they sound good and most of they can play music from iTunes all on their own.
I built my home theater system out of hand me downs equipment I have had for years. I bought a pair of Large Advents in walnut cabinets for a $100 that needed reconing, the foam surrounds had disintegrated, and the seller didn't know how to do it. My center channel are two Small Advents side by side, I inherited from my Father-in-law. Only thing I bought new was the Apple TV, a Blue Ray player and some good computer speakers with a sub for the rear channel (you don't need much in the way speakers for the ambient information). Total investment about $500. System rocks, I have a very small living space, and I live by myself these days, so this will have to do.

Cool. I bought a pair of the large Advents back when they first came out (late '70s as I recall). They sounded great and I loved them. The speaker surrounds eventually disintegrated like yours and it was very difficult to find replacement drivers as they were a non-standard size. Mine are long gone but I remember them fondly.

 

[Allyance]

When I was in retail, we sold a ton of Advents, the owner of the store wanted us to sell the garbage no-name speakers, but one listen to the Advents and the sale was made. Very popular, nothing else caught on like them. Don't remember what took their place, probably many different brands. It was Henry Kloss's greatest product. He also started AR & KLH.

 

[AL2TEACH]

Correct, lossless isn’t new (and not a term limited to audio). CD, in theory and if memory serves me, was meant to capture everything that is ‘given’ to it (essence of lossless). With that, the question is, is lossless a big enough quality differentiator to make it a profitable ‘thing’? Especially when lossy quality Apple Music is outstanding?

I would have to say outstanding is a reach. Very good okay. I listen to Apple Music thru the HomePods but I sure hope Apple is working on the one thing I think it has always been missing, an equalizer. I luvvvv my HomePods but I also miss hearing the separation of the highs and bass in music. The general public doesn't mind/miss the separation of tones and maybe it's because they have never heard it, lol, or maybe it's because it's not done as much in the studio anymore. Now with Dolby Atmos being object based heck who knows what can/will be done in studios in the future.
AM to FM, Hi-Fi to stereo, records to cd's and now stereo to dolby atmos and in such small devices. Now Apple where's the equalizer for the HomePods!!!!!!!!

 

[One2Grift]

I would have to say outstanding is a reach. Very good okay. I listen to Apple Music thru the HomePods but I sure hope Apple is working on the one thing I think it has always been missing, an equalizer. I luvvvv my HomePods but I also miss hearing the separation of the highs and bass in music. The general public doesn't mind/miss the separation of tones and maybe it's because they have never heard it, lol, or maybe it's because it's not done as much in the studio anymore. Now with Dolby Atmos being object based heck who knows what can/will be done in studios in the future.
AM to FM, Hi-Fi to stereo, records to cd's and now stereo to dolby atmos and in such small devices. Now Apple where's the equalizer for the HomePods!!!!!!!!

Ok, understood, outstanding is a relative term. On my soundbar DA and using the surround(my surround doesn’t get used enough dam it), Apple Music is excellent quality to these ears.
Im envious, I wish I could add the HomePods. I’m knee deep in the eco now and smart speakers that provide a good quality audio would add to the eco nicely. But at that price point I’m just not going to pull the trigger on what inventory is out there unless Apple suddenly recommits to it. But if you’re trying to just get rid of yours fast and cheap, please message me first 🤣🤣

 

[One2Grift]

Yeah, that Apple logo has a way of making people think things are nicer than they are.

Maybe true just as it’s maybe true that Apple logo has a way making some people instantly hate it. Apparently the Apple logo is in itself a study in psychology 😀

 

[Shanghaichica]

Maybe true just as it’s maybe true that Apple logo has a way making some people instantly hate it. Apparently the Apple logo is in itself a study in psychology 😀

It does work both ways I agree. A lot of people assume that it’s overpriced rubbish when they know it’s made by Apple. Also apple fans have a reputation of blindly buying anything Apple puts out (sheep). Some people refuse to buy apple products to show the world they aren’t ‘sheep’ and can think for themselves.

 

[Shanghaichica]

Ok, understood, outstanding is a relative term. On my soundbar DA and using the surround(my surround doesn’t get used enough dam it), Apple Music is excellent quality to these ears.
Im envious, I wish I could add the HomePods. I’m knee deep in the eco now and smart speakers that provide a good quality audio would add to the eco nicely. But at that price point I’m just not going to pull the trigger on what inventory is out there unless Apple suddenly recommits to it. But if you’re trying to just get rid of yours fast and cheap, please message me first 🤣🤣

I’ve been through different phases with the homepods. I bought two shortly after launch. Then I felt that they were overpriced compared to other smart speakers. I got rid of both of mine and tried some echos and google home speakers. I lasted about 2 months without a homepod and missed the sound quality of the HomePod so I think around December 2019 I bought another homepod for £220 which was reduced from from the original price so at a decent price point. About a month ago I found a new unopened homepod for £150 on Facebook marketplace which I managed to negotiate down to £120. I would have happily paid £150, even used. However the seller said they were open to offers so I just asked what’s the lowest they would accept and they said £120. So I took it. They said it was an unwanted gift. They hadn’t even opened it. So This stereo pair I got for £340. However it’s not my first pair which I had initially paid full price for. I’ve bought a few minis because they are reasonably priced. Obviously they don’t sound as good as the OG homepods but I’m not paying for an OG HomePod in every room, especially considering they have discontinued it.

 

[AL2TEACH]

But if you’re trying to just get rid of yours fast and cheap, please message me first 🤣🤣

get rid of

 

[macken]

Sad news: as of today 6-21-2021, the Apple Store Online is all sold out of both colors of HomePod.
Long Live HomePod!

Thanks to this thread, I picked up a HomePod from Apple early this month and have loved the convenience as I am a Apple-centric household (yes, myself and my friends use Apple Music). I had originally written it off as too expensive, but it is a great fit for my 1BR condo.

I purchased a second HomePod last week, and setup a stereo pair this weekend and it is amazing to my non-audiophile ear. Now I am in the never ending Apple upgrade spiral - seems like I need to get a newer HDTV and upgrade my AppleTV 4K so I can use eArc!