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HomePod HomePod first impressions
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I am very happy
. HomePods is the best speaker I have owned. Bose solo 5 was my best.For those with a couple of Sonos Ones in stereo already, you might be better sticking with what you have got. This seems a fairly balanced review. Personally the ability to integrate with more audio sources far easier and arguably better voice assistance is a huge plus.
https://www.tomsguide.com/us/apple-homepod,review-5095.html
https://www.tomsguide.com/us/apple-homepod,review-5095.html
But are you using your iPhone as a remote control or are you sending your music from your iPhone to the HomePod using AirPlay? I mean, is more like Sonos? You use your iPhone as a remote and play in the speaker itself.
Reading this makes me think either I’m doing something wrong or mine is broken.
How do these compare now against sonos for multiple rooms? Can I play a selection of music at the same time and control it all on my phone? The multi room function comparison is what I am interested in. How will airplay 2 compare to the sonos approach?
You’re not alone. The Consumer Reports review is out and they rate the HP worse than the Sonos One - “Muddy bass overwhelms”
Firstly, regardless of whether self-proclaimed audiophiles like or dislike the HomePod, everyone has to remember that audio is an inherently subjective field and the only opinion that really matters is your own. It’s like trying to argue that a particular shade of blue is the “correct” shade of blue and everything else is wrong. That said, of course it’s important to have a wide range of experience of different equipment in order to draw relative comparisons but let’s not pretend that one person’s opinion is any more “correct” than another.
With that out of the way, and with no suggestion of being an audiophile myself and with no expensive hifi stack purchase to defend, I’d say the HomePod is pretty impressive! I’ve had various pieces of mid-range audio equipment in the past and have heard some very high end equipment on a few occasions but in recent years we’ve simplified/deprioritised our setup to just a few Sonos devices and some half-decent Sennheiser headphones. I don’t think we’ll be the only household who have gradually decluttered our living space in this way.
So, bearing in mind this is just my opinion, I can say that I prefer the HomePod over my Sonos Play:1s without hesitation, having tested them side by side with the same tracks. I also think the HomePod can compete favourably in terms of filling my living room with sound against my Sonos Playbar which was a bit surprising. I need to do some more side-by-side listening on that to be sure though. In addition, using Apple Music with Sonos equipment has always been a clunky experience so having frictionless integration in the HomePod plus Airplay is a huge win.
Getting back to the audiophiles who were bemoaning the lack of EQ support, it is possible to access EQ controls both in iTunes and on iOS devices in the settings to allow you to equalise Airplay streamed content. This won’t currently work with content being streamed directly by the HomePod but might allow some experimentation for those who find the bass too boomy or muddy or whatever it was.
So, to anyone who is on the fence about a HomePod purchase and who are worried about negative reviews, please keep an open mind and either go and listen to the HomePod somewhere or just take advantage of the Apple 14 day return period.
Try a HomePod in YOUR home using YOUR ears and form your own opinion.
With that out of the way, and with no suggestion of being an audiophile myself and with no expensive hifi stack purchase to defend, I’d say the HomePod is pretty impressive! I’ve had various pieces of mid-range audio equipment in the past and have heard some very high end equipment on a few occasions but in recent years we’ve simplified/deprioritised our setup to just a few Sonos devices and some half-decent Sennheiser headphones. I don’t think we’ll be the only household who have gradually decluttered our living space in this way.
So, bearing in mind this is just my opinion, I can say that I prefer the HomePod over my Sonos Play:1s without hesitation, having tested them side by side with the same tracks. I also think the HomePod can compete favourably in terms of filling my living room with sound against my Sonos Playbar which was a bit surprising. I need to do some more side-by-side listening on that to be sure though. In addition, using Apple Music with Sonos equipment has always been a clunky experience so having frictionless integration in the HomePod plus Airplay is a huge win.
Getting back to the audiophiles who were bemoaning the lack of EQ support, it is possible to access EQ controls both in iTunes and on iOS devices in the settings to allow you to equalise Airplay streamed content. This won’t currently work with content being streamed directly by the HomePod but might allow some experimentation for those who find the bass too boomy or muddy or whatever it was.
So, to anyone who is on the fence about a HomePod purchase and who are worried about negative reviews, please keep an open mind and either go and listen to the HomePod somewhere or just take advantage of the Apple 14 day return period.
Try a HomePod in YOUR home using YOUR ears and form your own opinion.
I love it - try playing something like 'The lovecats' by the Cure and you can hear that double bass literally breath!
Minor gripes..
1. It's not showing on the Apple Watch Home App yet (and it IS on the paired phone).
2. There's a clear difference in experience with launching music from your phone to play and asking Siri to play songs on the AirPod in that the phone is either streaming it or the AirPod streams it direct.
a. Start something playing and then put your phone in airplane mode (simulating you are popping to the store) and the music stops.
b. Schedule a load of up next on your iPhone and then start saying Hey Siri Next..of course HomePod answers and it doesn't work.
3. It's virtually impossible to ask it to play something like 'Tres piezas españolas: Passacaglia' by Julian Bream (tried various options including saying by Joaquin Rodrigo also). You are almost always forced to use this as an airplay speaker with another iOS device to do this.
Minor gripes..
1. It's not showing on the Apple Watch Home App yet (and it IS on the paired phone).
2. There's a clear difference in experience with launching music from your phone to play and asking Siri to play songs on the AirPod in that the phone is either streaming it or the AirPod streams it direct.
a. Start something playing and then put your phone in airplane mode (simulating you are popping to the store) and the music stops.
b. Schedule a load of up next on your iPhone and then start saying Hey Siri Next..of course HomePod answers and it doesn't work.
3. It's virtually impossible to ask it to play something like 'Tres piezas españolas: Passacaglia' by Julian Bream (tried various options including saying by Joaquin Rodrigo also). You are almost always forced to use this as an airplay speaker with another iOS device to do this.
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Try Miles Davis “So What” or “Flamenco Sketches”. Try some the soundtracks for the Harry Potter movies.
If these do not sound good, return your HomePod.
White shows dirt, but black shows up dust. You’ll likely see more dust than dirt.
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It is totally fine to not appreciate the sound signature of the HomePod. Just return it and find something you are happy with. In fact this was actively encouraged by the rep that rang up mine: “It’s a new product. We have two week no questions asked return in addition to standard return policy. If it’s not for you bring it back. We want to hear about it.”
Here's the link for CR's review https://www.consumerreports.org/smart-speakers/apple-homepod-early-test-results/
The issue with any of these tests as I see it, is that sound is subjective. Other reviews put the HomePod over the Sonos 1, but not by much. I'm not disputing CR's review, just pointing out that I think they're all fairly close to make a clear winner difficult. I'm impressed with what the HomePod can do, sound wise, but I think Alexa as an assistant is superior. I have a couple of echos in my house, and I'm not sure I'm willing to switch over, but I am being tempted
Lol I already kill my neighbors with bass. Got 2 klipsch 12 inch subs in my living room so this is nothing
Siri is bad really bad, using it just becomes frustrating and annoying.
For me this is just going to be an Airplay speaker, so not sure if it is worth keeping. I already have a better sound system which i can control via my Airport Express, so it is just like an airplay speaker system.
I like the idea of a smart speaker though, so i am going to have a look at Sonos and Amazon systems to see if any of them will integrate easily with iTunes. I doubt any of them will, i cant see Alexa working with iTunes, so i will probably just return the HomePod and stick with what i already have.
I am really quite annoyed about Siri being so useless, i would have really liked to keep the HomePod as the sound is pretty good, not amazing as some of the reviews would have you believe, but it is still pretty good. But with Siri being so useless i don't think it is worth keeping, i will see how it goes over the next couple of weeks.
If i could have a HomePod with Alexa that would be ideal.
For me this is just going to be an Airplay speaker, so not sure if it is worth keeping. I already have a better sound system which i can control via my Airport Express, so it is just like an airplay speaker system.
I like the idea of a smart speaker though, so i am going to have a look at Sonos and Amazon systems to see if any of them will integrate easily with iTunes. I doubt any of them will, i cant see Alexa working with iTunes, so i will probably just return the HomePod and stick with what i already have.
I am really quite annoyed about Siri being so useless, i would have really liked to keep the HomePod as the sound is pretty good, not amazing as some of the reviews would have you believe, but it is still pretty good. But with Siri being so useless i don't think it is worth keeping, i will see how it goes over the next couple of weeks.
If i could have a HomePod with Alexa that would be ideal.
Thanks, I guess I have a week or so to judge it better.
Another thing I've noticed. Does anyone use this in a home office or small place? I've just taken mine up to my office and placed it in the corner (to the right side of me), and after about 20 minutes my ear has started to fatigue. It's really quite prominent to the point that I've had to move the speaker behind me rather than to the side of me.
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Yikes! Okay, that does sound good. I don't understand it though. I play everything through Apple Music so why does the quality change?
Also, I have now moved it behind me. I have the Spurs v Arsenal game on my iPad Pro now and am streaming the sound to the Homepod. Sounds pretty good.
Another thing I've noticed. Does anyone use this in a home office or small place? I've just taken mine up to my office and placed it in the corner (to the right side of me), and after about 20 minutes my ear has started to fatigue. It's really quite prominent to the point that I've had to move the speaker behind me rather than to the side of me.
[doublepost=1518266128][/doublepost]
Yikes! Okay, that does sound good. I don't understand it though. I play everything through Apple Music so why does the quality change?
Also, I have now moved it behind me. I have the Spurs v Arsenal game on my iPad Pro now and am streaming the sound to the Homepod. Sounds pretty good.
Yes almost certainly they would Dan, I also have ribbon tweeters in the Adam A7X's that I use and if you're used to that you'd be really disappointed with the top end of the HomePod which is virtually non-existant.
I think what people like that are into now we need a "smart amp" I know they're getting close - but the main benefit of the HomePod for me, apart from Siri is the fact that it's always on, just sat there waiting for instructions. Now I could have my amp doing that but it eats power - we sort of need an always on amp that sleeps properly but responds to AirPlay 2 when asked.
It appears the speaker is currently using AirPlay 1 at the moment as there's that traditional big lag when playing actual AirPlay sources like Spotify and I believe AirPlay 2 removes that a lot (presumably AirPlay 2 isn't ready yet, hence the delay in Stereo Speakers and other AirPlay 2 options)
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I can imagine that definitely - it's a very processed sound - and it's very cluttered in that mid band, I can imagine it's very fatiguing to the ear.
Another reason studio monitors have a better sound, once you're used to them - they're not going to "wow" you like a HomePod might cos you instantly start wondering where that big punch bass sound is coming from - but you can hear so so much more on them and they're designed not to fatigue the ear as you're likely to be working on the same material all day.
I think they've truly spoilt me for consumer level hifi stuff - even very inexpensive neutral studio monitors blow them away and I just prefer that natural, detailed sound over a hyped, fatiguing sound that is also boomy, boxy, muddy and lacking clarity, detail and openness.
I’m pleased with my HomePod so far; I’m liking having better access to music in my bedroom and Siri is operating lights much more reliably from this than from my phone or watch (she did take three goes to play some Kirsty McColl though).
Top of my wish list is for the HomePod to replace my clock radio but at least now I’ll be able to switch the radio off and ask Siri to provide some cheering music when John Humphrys’s smugness gets too much.
Top of my wish list is for the HomePod to replace my clock radio but at least now I’ll be able to switch the radio off and ask Siri to provide some cheering music when John Humphrys’s smugness gets too much.
I have two Sonos One's and disagree. The Homepod definitely sounds better. The only advantage that Sonos One's have is that the can integrate with a Sonos Soundbar or Playbase, which is something the HomePod can not do yet. Still not sure if it is worth the price difference. However, I do like the Siri integration too, but our family is totally Apple.
Wish I’d have read this 5 minutes ago........ just did the exact same thing.
One live album to rule all the HomePods:
Pulse, by Pink Floyd.
I get that live albums sometimes do not have same quality as studio albums, but there is really something with these HomePods that brings these concerts alive. If you have been to the one you are listening...
Now, I’m still not sure why people are debating about the product being good or not. Apple’s intention with the HomePod was not to compete with high end sound systems. This is a portable speaker. Trying to compare it to 5.1 systems is pointless and non sense. Expecting it to perform better than sound systems is, with all due respect, stupid at best. Unless your standards for sound systems is that AM/FM radio salvaged from a Salvation Army, found everywhere at the good old late 80’s/early 90’s...
It sounds good for most people. Not for all, as personal preferences adjusts our tastes and makes us like more bass, less bass, deep bass, no bass, more highs, less highs, and the list goes on forever. For the average of listeners, it will sound great.
Again, I still think my dedicated sound system outperforms it in all but one aspect: portability. I won’t be dragging 4 huge floor speakers and a subwoofer around the house whenever I need an extra sound to break the silence, with something that sounds better than my iPhone’s internal speakers.
As a smart assistant: this is a speaker. “Oh, but such and such do this and that”. That’s fine, good for them. “Oh but such and such are a third of the price”. That’s fine, too. As always, you are not paying for a bunch of components assembled from a napkin drawn idea. I’m pretty sure this thing can evolve with the same hardware, even in a faster pace than others, while others won’t have same room for growth, but that’s just me.
Besides, I think the true outcome about being or not a good product will be seen by all other portable speakers manufacturers.
It is true Apple once set the pace for the run and it is now playing catch at times, but they still have the ability to turn pages faster than the competition (an all screen, keyless phone, the “slide to unlock”, those are Apple firsts, whereas “TouchID” and earlier attempts of Facial recognition vs FaceID are their take on the tech that everybody is going after). In a few months we will find out if they made a rubbish product (Newton, anyone?) or another hit.
In the meantime, enjoy your new acquisition, return it if you dislike it (14 days from the purchase/delivery date), give one a try at your own place if you are not sure (hearing at a store is far from reality), the same way whoever owns another product is enjoying theirs.
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To control it with the Music app or Control Center, both needs to be at the same network.
Pulse, by Pink Floyd.
I get that live albums sometimes do not have same quality as studio albums, but there is really something with these HomePods that brings these concerts alive. If you have been to the one you are listening...
Now, I’m still not sure why people are debating about the product being good or not. Apple’s intention with the HomePod was not to compete with high end sound systems. This is a portable speaker. Trying to compare it to 5.1 systems is pointless and non sense. Expecting it to perform better than sound systems is, with all due respect, stupid at best. Unless your standards for sound systems is that AM/FM radio salvaged from a Salvation Army, found everywhere at the good old late 80’s/early 90’s...
It sounds good for most people. Not for all, as personal preferences adjusts our tastes and makes us like more bass, less bass, deep bass, no bass, more highs, less highs, and the list goes on forever. For the average of listeners, it will sound great.
Again, I still think my dedicated sound system outperforms it in all but one aspect: portability. I won’t be dragging 4 huge floor speakers and a subwoofer around the house whenever I need an extra sound to break the silence, with something that sounds better than my iPhone’s internal speakers.
As a smart assistant: this is a speaker. “Oh, but such and such do this and that”. That’s fine, good for them. “Oh but such and such are a third of the price”. That’s fine, too. As always, you are not paying for a bunch of components assembled from a napkin drawn idea. I’m pretty sure this thing can evolve with the same hardware, even in a faster pace than others, while others won’t have same room for growth, but that’s just me.
Besides, I think the true outcome about being or not a good product will be seen by all other portable speakers manufacturers.
It is true Apple once set the pace for the run and it is now playing catch at times, but they still have the ability to turn pages faster than the competition (an all screen, keyless phone, the “slide to unlock”, those are Apple firsts, whereas “TouchID” and earlier attempts of Facial recognition vs FaceID are their take on the tech that everybody is going after). In a few months we will find out if they made a rubbish product (Newton, anyone?) or another hit.
In the meantime, enjoy your new acquisition, return it if you dislike it (14 days from the purchase/delivery date), give one a try at your own place if you are not sure (hearing at a store is far from reality), the same way whoever owns another product is enjoying theirs.
[doublepost=1518271944][/doublepost]
HomePod is primarily voice controlled, so you don’t even need to have a phone (after it was first set up).
To control it with the Music app or Control Center, both needs to be at the same network.
I played Miles all night and I was completely satisfied.