There are 7 tweeters... with "Direct and ambient beamforming": it's entirely possible that the HomePod could be sending higher amplitude waves to portions of the room that are further away (bouncing off ceiing, walls, etc.)... giving you the feeling that the volume "even" throughout the room.
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HomePod Early Hands-On Reviews: 'Seamless' Siri Commands and Audio Quality 'Feels Like You're at a Live Performance'
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There are 7 tweeters... with "Direct and ambient beamforming": it's entirely possible that the HomePod could be sending higher amplitude waves to portions of the room that are further away (bouncing off ceiing, walls, etc.)... giving you the feeling that the volume "even" throughout the room.
Don't forget, they also need to not already own speakers they like, or have other speakers in mind that sound better.
Although longer and more in-depth reviews for Apple's smart speaker, the HomePod, have not yet been published, a few websites have gotten the chance to spend an hour or so with the speaker and have been sharing their experiences this week.
At Digital Trends, Julian Chokkattu liked the unassuming design of the HomePod, noting that "it's easy to miss... because it makes no effort at standing out." This should make it easier for the HomePod to blend in with any room's decor, according to Chokkattu.
In terms of sound, he got to listen to upwards of five songs from various genres at a volume of about 65 percent, and concluded that it "sounds great" no matter where you are in the room. He also called his brief encounters with Siri on HomePod "fast and seamless," explaining that Siri is smart enough to realize when you're meaning to activate it on your iPhone ("when your phone is in your hand") so that the HomePod does not answer.
Tech journalist Lance Ulanoff shared his thoughts on HomePod in a post on Medium, and noted that when the sound quality was compared to the Google Home Max and Sonos One, HomePod was "astonishing." Ulanoff echoed a sentiment stated by Chokkattu, detailing a listening experience that felt as if he was hearing the music "in a small café for an audience of me" and equating HomePod's sound quality to a live performance.
Although stereo pairing won't be ready at launch, Ulanoff got to experience this as well and said that "two HomePods playing just about anything is incredible." Ultimately, he called HomePod an "ultra-high-quality" speaker that doubles as an "excellent Siri ambassador."
Pete Pachal with Mashable was also impressed by the HomePod's sound quality, which he described as an "aural triumph," but was more skeptical on the device and questioned whether or not Apple is too late to the smart speaker market.
Those interested in HomePod can pre-order the speaker on Apple.com in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia beginning today, January 26, and then the device will launch on February 9. For those on the fence about Apple's entry into the smart speaker market, Sonos today is launching a sale aimed at competing with Apple where you can get two Sonos One speakers for the same price of one HomePod.
Article Link: HomePod Early Hands-On Reviews: 'Seamless' Siri Commands and Audio Quality 'Feels Like You're at a Live Performance'
I think only Apple's hardcore fans will be considering this one...this rest of us will pass and not even think twice about it...too little too late Apple
If your neighbor is kind enough, maybe he or she will allow you to test it and let you into their apartment to see how loud it gets. You can make note of which volume setting/position is okay. I did that once with a neighbor for both my TV and Sonos.
Is the woofer down facing? From the picture of the innards on apple.com it appears the "high-excursion woofer" is upward facing. There is an air gap between it and the lower section that houses the tweeters. Plus the HomePod rests on its base with no air gap that would allow downward air movement to escape.
I have to admit that this worried me too, so I contacted Apple and they assured me that other people can play their music on a HomePod. I don't think that that is quite the same as "having an account" on the HomePod, but so long as my family can play their own music on the HomePod then that seems fine to me. They also said (by the way) that "You will be able to use your Home Pod without having a subscription and by using any music App that you wish", so some of the suggestions coming out of the early reviews appear (reassuringly) to be wrong.
Right, you have to put things on a reasonable continuum, this may be a solid 9.5 out of 10 ( vs. other speakers in the same price/category).
It also doesn't have be - like some folks are suggesting (not you) - either $20K of audiophile level gear or a $39 bluetooth speaker - there's a LOT of room in between for people with a reasonably discerning ear
Was thinking the same things, just smacks of an Apple me too product. Funny how Samsung used to be the biggest me too brand out there when it came to electronic devices. How times have changed.
Not at all the same as multiple user accounts.
...and only one Apple Music account with listening history, recommendations, and playlists. Plus, history and recommendations will get skewed when someone in the family or when guests keep requesting music that the primary account holder doesn't listen to.
As before, this is not at all the same as multiple user accounts.
Right now it appears the HomePod does not allow 3rd party apps like AppleTV though it does have an A8 chip in it to operate the display, perform audio wizardry, integrate with AM and iCloud to stream music and work with Siri. What do you think of the possibility that it may eventually run apps? Those apps would be required to integrate with Siri as the interface but Siri APIs were opened up to allow for that eventuality.
"Siri, play Atmosphere" could reach out to Spotify instead of AM to find that most awesome of Joy Division tracks.
"Siri, play Atmosphere" could reach out to Spotify instead of AM to find that most awesome of Joy Division tracks.
Oops. Just re-watched the keynote for it. Phil says it's upwards facing, so ignore my ramblings.
I think this is fair. I think For $350 really isn't unreasonable if the HomePod produces the results that's being indicated so far. But for those who I do know who are interested, I think want to read more hands-on reviews from users versus critics, And/or demo the HomePod in store first. And as it continues to improve with software and additional features later on, it will likely make it more enticing as the capabilities expand.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
Michael Simon over at Macworld has a bunch of tangible answers to key (mostly usability) questions in an article entitled: HomePod facts: 10 things you need to know if you're on the fence about pre-ordering
How ridiculous is that post? If something is bad you don’t overdose on it.
Simples.
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Don’t worry. iFixit will be all over it soon enough.
Amazon Prime member, but no Alexa devices and don’t want them. DEFINITELY NO GOOGLE stuff in my house. Just bought a Home Pod. I want the tight integration with the Apple ecosystem and quite frankly, i feel more trusting of Apple than any one else at this point.
I don’t see what the big deal about multiple user accounts on a smart speaker is all about. Why would I want to hear someone else’s queries, notifications on messages out loud?
I think the Multi-user account support is more a question about possible polution of one persons account with data from others that might make some of Apple's own AI algorithms confused.
For example, my Brother and I would share a device like this in the living room. My music account is full of heavy metal and Rock. I don't listen to pop music.
My brother listens to Pop Music.
If he were to be using my account for example, it's possible that my listening habits are poluted with his, so when i go elsewhere and I'm using my personal device, I have a less tailored experience for myself.
Where So far (at least my understanding), Google home for example can determine different people and apply data to their specific accounts. I do not know Amazon's support
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Doooo iiiiiiiiiitttttMy neighbor's house is not attached to my house so I don't have to worry
Turn it up 'til your skin vibrates. That's what it's like.
This is the kind of stuff I used to take to the stereo shop to audition speakers.
I'm more curious about the sound quality. I have a Denon receiver and a Klipsh 5.1 setup that I stream too. I'm hoping the Apple homepod sounds much nicer and if so ill use it and maybe a second one for music and the 5.1 for movies, TV etc.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
On multiuser: according the the MacWorld article, a benefit that's been slung heavily around here is the ability to set reminders with this thing. In a 2+ person household, Jack might ask Siri to add a reminder. Jane can't add one to her account. Jack Jr. can't add to his. Etc. Apparently, the thing is linked to a SINGLE iCloud account. All such interactions revolve around that one account.
In addition as another article has stated, when the account holder isn't home (not sure how they know), the HomePod disables those features. So lets say you setup a shared iCloud account for a family. set a reminder. But dad goes to work. those reminders won't pop up for the kids.
CA Dept of Public Health seems to say otherwise. Just sharing.
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/EHIB/CDPH Document Library/Cell-Phone-Guidance.pdf
Thanks.
yes.
Home Pod will still support wireless streaming via Air Play or BLuetooth from any device that supports these protocols