HomePod First Listen Impressions: 'Incredible' Audio With Bass-Heavy Sound That Easily Beats Echo

[MacRumors]

Following an unveiling at WWDC yesterday, Apple let members of the press get a close-up look at its new Siri-enabled speaker, HomePod, but due to the loudness of the area it was impossible for WWDC attendees to really determine HomePod's sound quality. Now, a few websites have gotten the chance to hear how HomePod sounds in a normal environment, and shared their opinions of the device online.

According to Mashable, Apple played listeners five songs across four genres and the device had "very good audio." The HomePod starts up by playing 360-degree audio to itself so it can learn the space it's in, and then adjusts any subsequent music that's played with the knowledge of the size of the room.

HomePod requires constant AC power for music playback​

Mashable said this worked, and "no matter where I walked in the small listening room, the sound was consistent."

The audio wasn't just loud -- filling a room with sound, good or bad, is easy -- it was rich. The highs were sharp, but not broken. The lows were deep, sonorous, but not chest-thumping.

A classic song with a far less complex mix sounded warm and true and one of Kendrick Lamar's beat-heavy tunes showed off the HomePod's bass prowess, I also listened to a live recording of the Eagles' Hotel California on a pair of HomePods. I noticed that the audience cheers primarily came from one speaker, along with some ambient music sounds and the mains came from the HomePod almost directly in front of me. I did not feel like I was at the live concert, but I was still impressed with the audio quality.

Mashable noted that Apple had in-room comparisons with its competitors, including Sonos Play:3 and Amazon Echo, and that the HomePod easily beat the two other speakers in pure music playback quality. The site noted the disadvantages users face if they don't use Apple Music, and was unsure how any of the smart home controls would work as press was only allowed access to non-functional demo units, but was ultimately left impressed with HomePod, calling it a "very good speaker" and looking forward to testing it more as December grows nearer.


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Article Link: HomePod First Listen Impressions: 'Incredible' Audio With Bass-Heavy Sound That Easily Beats Echo

 

[Leonard1818]

But I've already got SO MANY sonos speakers...

 

[d0minick]

exclusively Apple Music? Ouch. i use spotify. Guess my Echo is not going anywhere.

EDIT: they may have meant strictly for this demo

 

[The Game 161]

That sounds very promising

 

[TreyCox]

I'm sure I'll have one or two of these.

 

[recoil80]

Are they sure this device can exclusively stream Apple Music? It doesn't support Airplay to allow streaming stuff from an iPhone or a Mac?
What if the internet connection is not working and I want to play music, or I don't want to pay for the subscription since I have spotify or other music services?

 

[Sunny1990]

Apple has done a remarkably good job.But the price is a bit higher compared to the Amazon Echo, So why even compare to a product which is half the price of HomePod'

Sounds!! Unfair :-(

 

[macsrcool1234]

why would anyone put more than one of these in the same room? as a speaker, ok, but the smart functionality of it? total waste of money to have two or more....

 

[Geert76]

"Mashable noted that Apple had in-room comparisons with its competitors, including Sonos Play:3"

I doubt those Sonos Play:3 where TruePlay-ed... In most cases there is a massive (positive)difference after TruePlay.

 

[Phil in ocala]

I have a five channel Martin Logan Electro Static System plus a subwoofer....this is fine for teens but it will never replace a truly high fidelity system.

 

[jaijaibinx]

Sure... pitch it against the Play 3... the worst of all the Sonos speakers. I want to know how it sounds compared with the Play 5!

To clarify; I've been waiting for a multi-room speaker system I can invest in and fill my house with... I don't mind paying more, I just want it to sound amazing!

Isn't that apples motto? build the best, charge the most, then kit it out with new sports bands?

 

[fokmik]

airpods all over again...
people before purchase ..meeh too expensive they look weird
people after purchase...best, i love them, my new toy, apple magical experience

 

[tazinlwfl]

It doesn't support Airplay to allow streaming stuff from an iPhone or a Mac?

I highly doubt they would announce AirPlay 2 and exclude it from the HomePod. Only thing would be if your service of choice added use of the API to support it. Also that means iOS 11 will likely be required for AirPlay 2.

Sure... pitch it against the Play 3...

This thing is basically a Play 3 + Echo Dot in terms of price and function. If it can blow away a Play 3, than I think they will be comfortable staying at this price range for a while.

 

[Scottsoapbox]

A $350 speaker sounds better than a $130 speaker?

Practically Magic.

 

[fokmik]

I have a five channel Martin Logan Electro Static System plus a subwoofer....this is fine for teens but it will never replace a truly high fidelity system.

you compare a 5 setup speakers or 7 to 1? compare your setup with 5 of these

 

[ToastyFlake]

If it doesn't make and receive phone calls, it's the stupidest thing Apple has ever done.

 

[Geert76]

Sure... pitch it against the Play 3... the worst of all the Sonos speakers. I want to know how it sounds compared with the Play 5!

this!

I got 2x 2nd gen. Sonos Play:5. For me its hard to believe that HomePod will come even slightly close to the Play:5 2nd gen

 

[TheRealTVGuy]

But I've already got SO MANY sonos speakers...

Then you'll get to really enjoy the benefits of AirPlay 2!

 

[1bcoolrob]

I need this product before December

 

[WRChris]

I have a five channel Martin Logan Electro Static System plus a subwoofer....this is fine for teens but it will never replace a truly high fidelity system.

When did you get to use the homepod so you could make that comparison?

It doesn't take much to sound better than an echo, my Nintendo switch makes louder sound.

 

[Bacillus]

https://whyd.com
Obviously, Apple didn't shamelessly imitate, but considers it maturely marketable, and ready for ehh... adoption

 

[Nick A]

For $350 you can get some really really great speakers and hookup a $40 Echo Dot to enable smart functionality, plus stream Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora, Etc.. I don't really understand the market for this.

Also, a 4"in driver cannot be a sub-woofer, it's just against physics. It may be tuned to produce a lot of mid-bass but there is no way that little driver produces true bass notes.

 

[TheRealTVGuy]

why would anyone put more than one of these in the same room? as a speaker, ok, but the smart functionality of it? total waste of money to have two or more....

For Stereo effect, I imagine.

 

[Scellow]

Nobody want this trash bin, where will you ***** put it in your house?

The best choice would have been something to put on the ceiling, to replace the ugly light buble we all have, so we could imagine stuff like change color of the room based on the mood of the music, and detecting movements no matter where you are

This is so much old school, nobody would want to buy a fat trash bin, this is a stupid product as it is

 

[rudychidiac]

I'm looking forward to own one, maybe by January.