HomePod HomePod Gen 2 vs Stereo pair HomePod Minis

[Tofer929]

My TV sound bar died, so it's time to upgrade to something else. I've been looking at going to a HomePod since I stream everything from an Apple TV 4K. The decision is go with a single second gen HomePod or get 2 HomePod Minis and stereo pair them? I can get 2 minis in a stereo pair and still be $100 less than the single HomePod.


*Edit*
I've added the option in the poll to just get a new sound bar.. I already have the powered sub that connects to the Yamaha sound bar I currently have which may be nice to continue to use. I'm open to getting another sound bar but figured I'd investigate HomePod route first

 

[pup]

Stereo separation trumps the better sound. Get the minis.

 

[Miltz]

I would get the two minis. I have them and I think they are great. Unless you can afford 2 HomePods then do that.

 

[Arran]

Quality over quantity here. One HomePod G2 and enjoy the crystal clear sound.

Save up for a second and you're done!

 

[stocklen]

A pair will always be preferable to a single when it comes to TV audio.

Sure, the HomePod is superior sound - but you wont really get that stereo separation that is key to the TV and Movie watching experience.

The minis sound very decent - I know that people always append "...for their size' but they really do - and they are significantly better than most TV built-in speakers.
The minis really excel when they are in a stereo pair and certainly are more than good enough for TV sound output.

Personally, a pair of minis will easily be preferable to a single HomePod.

As another poster has mentioned.. of course a pair of HomePods will sound phenomenal but you pay your money and take your choice as they say..... so a £200 solution is great, but of course a £600 solution is fantastic.... but thats not the choice you are presenting us with.

 

[Kenny99]

While the HomePods are good, a Sound Bar with rear speakers and a Sub is MUCH better. Even the $300.00 units.
I have two Mini's that I setup for my TV and they were OK, my Visio sound bar M-series was much better as it has a Sub and surround sound. To each their own and its your $$$.

 

[pup]

I generally agree with that, but some people want their HomePods, and I think you can get a decent setup with them. IMO, HomePods for AV is just like hooking up any 2-channel stereo to your TV. You’ll get a broader, more cinematic atmosphere, a bigger sound, and the rumbly bass; but it will come at the expense of disembodied dialogue and the general lack of that center channel which to me is tiring and not at all enjoyable.

You can mitigate that by keeping the TV speakers as the primary audio and just using your additional speakers to add some ambience and lower notes. In smaller rooms that don’t lend themselves to a 5.1 system, that can work quite well, provided your equipment has options for syncing audio. Certainly if you already have the HomePods or the stereo then it’s worth trying out. It’s what I have in our rather cozy TV room (stereo, not HomePod), and I like it enough that I wouldn’t replace it unless I one day get the urge to drop $1500 on something like a Sonos Arc and sub.

I’m not sure that I’d go out and buy a HomePod/Stereo setup though if starting from scratch. I think you’d really have to prioritize music listening on those speakers for that to be a pragmatic option vs a decent soundbar.

 

[luy]

Get a soundbar. I just tested my two new HomePods connected to the Apple TV and I much prefer my Sonos Arc and my Sonos Beam. For Music the HomePods are great, but not for Tv things.

 

[stocklen]

Lots are replying in here "get a soundbar"

With respect... this isnt what the OP was asking about. Sure, I want to drive a car from A to B but should I get a ford or a peugeot....
"Get a Lamborghini".... no.

Of course sound bars, SONOS Arcs and Beams and separate rear speakers are superior... but then so is the budget.


One new HomePod vs 2 HomePod minis....? thats the question, those are the options the OP has... and the very first reply from @pup puts it succinctly....

 

[haralds]

I am not sure whether the minis could compete with the sound of an equivalently priced soundbar due to lack of range below 60Hz.
We have a Vizio soundbar with a subwoofer but are also using two gen1 HomePods. I prefer the HomePods. The sound is crisper and more delineated. Dialogue is more intelligible. Productions seem to like muddy sounds and darkness these days.

 

[stocklen]

I am not sure whether the minis could compete with the sound of an equivalently priced soundbar due to lack of range below 60Hz.
We have a Vizio soundbar with a subwoofer but are also using two gen1 HomePods. I prefer the HomePods. The sound is crisper and more delineated. Dialogue is more intelligible. Productions seem to like muddy sounds and darkness these days.

as ive just said, the OP isnt asking for that comparison.

2 minis, or one HP2...

 

[Tofer929]

I've added the option in the poll to just get a new sound bar.. I already have the powered sub that connects to the Yamaha sound bar I currently have which may be nice to continue to use. I'm open to getting another sound bar but figured I'd investigate HomePod route first

 

[luy]

Well, in his poll there is the option "skip HomePods, get a new soundbar". And he had a soundbar before.
But ok, if you know better what the OP wants to talk about.

 

[pup]

Changed my vote then to soundbar. I’ve been down the HomePod road and back - it’s rough and treacherous and stops at a dead end.