Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

HomePod Hands-On: Unboxing and Overview

Last thought on AM vs. Airplay. I ripped all my cd's on my laptop years ago, so my 'local' songs are all at the bit rate I ripped them at. Could have 128, could have been 256, may have even been MP3, IDK. But as has been pointed out many times, iTunes match doesn't upload YOUR song if it is in the Apple music library already. It just adds their copy to your online 'Library'. So the Apple version that is 'downloaded' to you HP directly could be a much better quality than the one you ripped on your computer, synced to your phone and are Airplaying to the HP.

Although I guess no one, myself included, actually sync their phones anymore. But hey, it's just a thought.
 
  • Like
Reactions: EedyBeedyBeeps
This is a very good product! Impressive to say the least. I own a Pixel 2 Android phone, I have a bunch of Google home devices, and I use a Windows machine.

But I’ll say it again. This little sucker is outstanding and kudos to Apple. What they’ve done here deserves credit. Now bring on the Tower HomePod Pro.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • Like
Reactions: Matz, jaykk, Agent2015 and 4 others
mrderik said:
Last thought on AM vs. Airplay. I ripped all my cd's on my laptop years ago, so my 'local' songs are all at the bit rate I ripped them at. Could have 128, could have been 256, may have even been MP3, IDK. But as has been pointed out many times, iTunes match doesn't upload YOUR song if it is in the Apple music library already. It just adds their copy to your online 'Library'. So the Apple version that is 'downloaded' to you HP directly could be a much better quality than the one you ripped on your computer, synced to your phone and are Airplaying to the HP.
Click to expand...

Of course, that goes both ways. What if one rips their local copy at >256kbps and up to lossless?

Speaking of which: could someone (able to be objective) with a Tidal subscription try a few songs head-to-head? I wonder how Tidal lossless airplay vs. AAC AM would fare? If someone tries this, could you get a partner and compare blind?

And, of course an Apple lossless rip from CD via Airplay vs. the same song from AM?
 
Last edited:
First Impressions: Happy but not blown away.

I can't compare it to the likes of Sonos 1 or Goggle Home Max as I've never used those, but I do have a near 10 year old portable Bose speaker with a 30 pin dock & bluetooth adapter. I switched back and forth between the two at 100% volume and although the Bose sounded louder, it was accompanied by distortion. Otherwise, the sound was not that different to my ears. That being said the HomePod sounds great. I guess after reading all the other reviews I was expecting it to sound louder at 100%. Maybe my living room is larger than the "small room" people keep recommending. Otherwise, the sound does fill the room nicely. It just didn't meet my expectations but that's probably more on me than the HomePod. I don't use Siri often as it is, so I found that I struggled with requests while music was playing (loudly). Maybe I just need to figure out how to speak her lingo. This is my first smart assistant speaker and I'm satisfied. Looking forward to the future updates, but for now it's a thumbs up from me.
 
votdfak said:
Stereo setup is working on 11.3 beta 2. EverythingApplePro latest video.
Click to expand...

Indeed. How good is that?! Already available with iOS 11.3 beta 2.

The video I think you are refering to is https://youtube.com/watch?v=JtTM9u0e-p4

You can skip the first 5 minutes.

I haven’t bothered with this beta yet. But I’m going to install it now and try out stereo with my 2 homepods.

So far I have just set up 1 homepod.

This beta is now much more important now that homepods have been released.

And a lot of the discussion has been about how the device sounds. It sounds great.

BUT .... that’s the wrong question.

A better question is how does the music sound?

The answer is that it sounds OK on a homepod but will sound much better in stereo with 2 homepods.

Apple even mention this on their website:

“Create stereo sound with a second HomePod. Put another HomePod in the same room and they automatically detect and balance each other. With advanced beamforming capabilities, a HomePod pair is able to create a wider, more immersive soundstage than a traditional stereo pair. Coming later this year”.

(from https://www.apple.com/homepod/ )

But they don’t mention on their website that it is actually available now via iOS 11.3 beta 2!
 
Last edited:
cemil said:
The bigger annoyance to me is that you have to say “Hey, Siri” then wait for it to wake up, THEN issue a command. With my echo, I can just say “Alexa, play music” with no pause. Far better solution.
Click to expand...

I have not found this to be the case. It seems like the light takes a second to come on, but my HomePod responds perfectly to a command given right with the wake phrase.

What I think sucks is saying “Hey Siri” a bunch of times I’m a row. They need multiple phrases or words to make it more natural.
 
I’ve given my impressions in many other threads so I won’t repeat them here.

Obviously doesn’t sound as good as my EVENT BAS 20/20 v2s, but as you can see from the pictures I live in an acoustically challenging place. Neither my monitors nor the HomePod can be placed in optimal spots. (FTR, the monitors are angled down on custom stands).

What the HomePod (and soon it’s second sibling) does solve for me is having consistent audio throughout an apartment that’s both open, and separated into compartmental zones. We even get great sound out on the balcony now. The EVENTs can make you feel like you are in an open field concert without breaking a sweat, but you need to be in that sweet spot, sitting in the couch.

The HomePod creates a consistent wide open soundstage pretty much wherever you are. However, due to my limited positioning abilities it does sound too directional for TV use just having one to the side of the TV. I can’t wait for pairing to become available (fingers crossed for a beta shortly) so I can get another. That way my monitors can migrate permanently to my studio.

front.jpg
side.jpg



In short, they sound amazing for what they are with a pleasing sound signature for most ears. Siri controls most everything in our home, is fast and can hear you over 100% volume while speaking at a regular volume. She has some odd shortcomings however - especially being tuned for sound control now. “Hey Siri, skip five songs” does not work. Played the same song over the first time and skipped a single track the next time. “Hey Siri play the fifth track of my HomePod playlist” still plays the first track. Very odd. She also needs way more integration with AppleTV and HomeKit scenes. All low hanging fruit.

EDIT: It appears pairing is available right now in the latest iOS beta. I thought the HomePod OS would need an update, but apparently not. Getting a second one today maybe. HomePod Unboxing & Review! Both Colors Thanks for the heads up @ersan191!
 
  • Like
Reactions: justme1, RohirrimV, cyb3rdud3 and 5 others
Ok, so I got my HomePod today, and I gotta say that I’m slightly disappointed. I was ready for my ears to be blown away with amazing sound, and when I plugged it in on my night stand... I was immediately shocked that it decided to throw sound in opposite direction that I was listening to it.

I unplugged it and put it in the middle of the living room, much better sound but still the bass and highs are lacking.

I should note that I’m in the minority here, I use SoundCloud as my main audio service but have Apple Music. So I’m listening to a lot of Electronic music mostly. I did test 3 other songs... Hotel California, Dream On, and More then a Feeling.

All the songs and music does come off as good, crisp and has great separation, but I’ve spoiled myself to the JBL’s Professional 305 Speakers, and there’s no difference... the JBL’s win in a heartbeat. However this is a smart speaker in a small compact form. In that respect this is a great device.

To summarize.. I bought the HomePod for exceptional sound. It sounded really good but not as much as I thought it would have. I think 2 speakers full room stereo would definitely make it sound better but that’s $700. I can get a nice amp, bookshelf speakers, and an Alexa for that and get 10x better sound quality.

I think $350 is too much for what your getting. It’s a great little speaker but I’ve heard better. Siri won’t even let me make a phone call or FaceTime audio call which is a huge disappointment.

I’m gonna return it on Monday.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Huck, WhiteHawk and J.J. Sefton
Tech198 said:
i just wanna know just because you can shout across room and siri to respond, why would you even want to do that?

It can happen, but why would you do it anyway away?
Click to expand...

So first of all, you don’t shout. You talk. And there are tons of reasons when you can. My hp was in the living room, Ive got it cranking, when I got up to get a beer from the kitchen. The refrigerator door is open, I’m leaning in when my wife comes in glaring because she hates it loud, I look up and SAY ‘hey Siri, set volume to 20 %’, AND IT DID IT! Even she had to laugh and say, ‘you’re quite proud of yourself’

Why have a remote control anything? Seriously why embrace limits?
 
  • Like
Reactions: ErikGrim and prasand
I Chose the space grey version, I am positively surprised of the great sound. I can also play all of my playlist although my music was ripped of my disks (it was rumored to be only able to play purchased songs or Apple Music) also Air play (VLC player...) works out fine (with delay).
 
  • Like
Reactions: Agent2015 and artfossil
cemil said:
The bigger annoyance to me is that you have to say “Hey, Siri” then wait for it to wake up, THEN issue a command. With my echo, I can just say “Alexa, play music” with no pause. Far better solution.
Click to expand...
I don't have a homepod but I've never had to do this on my iPhone X. I say 'hey siri turn of all my alarms' every morning without a pause and it works every time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Coffee50 and G5isAlive
cemil said:
The bigger annoyance to me is that you have to say “Hey, Siri” then wait for it to wake up, THEN issue a command. With my echo, I can just say “Alexa, play music” with no pause. Far better solution.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but the radio station I like to listen to makes Alexa jokes every time, or just advertises their skill set, and every time my damn Alexa wakes up and mutes the sound. Fricking hate that. And on the HP at least you don’t have to pause with Siri, so i can just say “Hey Siri play music.” Have you actually tried a HP? It beats any Alexa device hands done on listening sensitivity...and I use a dot to control my sonos to get any sound quality at all from alexa ...and have to specify which speaker, and half the time Alexa gets it wrong... so your just say example becomes ‘Alexa,play music on my sonos 5.’ Then the dot starts up. ‘Alexa stop.’ Quiet. Try again. Fail again because someone in the room starts laughing. At which point I pick up my phone and use it to control my sonos. You can keep your better solution. I prefer my just works solution.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ErikGrim
HMFIC03 said:
sounds better than my Bose mini and much much louder. Only thing that has blown me away though is how far the microphone can pick up Siri commands and over music. Hopefully it can wake me up with music tomorrow
[doublepost=1518216815][/doublepost]Also it fills the room with sound, but it of course is missing that stereo sound
Click to expand...
I can’t believe how far away I am and Siri still hears me....it’s awesome
 
  • Like
Reactions: ErikGrim
Wait what? How did you fix the setup process? A new Apple ID? What? Jesus it’s like you are a paid Apple spokesman now. What was the problem exactly?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Huck
Anyone pointed their microphone/oscilloscope at one of these while it's putting out white noise yet?
I'd really like to see where the low end starts to roll off, and whether Apple tried to cover it with a bump at 60Hz.
Perhaps there's a homesubwoofer in the future?
 
Not working with Spotify/AirPlay. Anyone else having issues? Cuts in and out like crazy, sometimes doesn't work at all. Spotify says track is playing, HomePod is silent. 2 hours on the phone with AppleCare and no answer. YouTube also experiencing same issues.
 
sportecsp600m said:
Not working with Spotify/AirPlay. Anyone else having issues? Cuts in and out like crazy, sometimes doesn't work at all. Spotify says track is playing, HomePod is silent. 2 hours on the phone with AppleCare and no answer. YouTube also experiencing same issues.
Click to expand...
Sounds like an issue with your WiFi network
 
mathewr said:
I’m picking up mine shortly. This will be used at my office but would like to try it out when I get home before I bring it to office. Do you know if it’s easily movable to a different address and therefore different WiFi and ip?
Click to expand...
I used mine on my home network. I use HomeKit and it is my main home. This evening I took it to home two and that is set up on my HomeKit as well. I plugged it in and gave it a couple minutes. It then pressed the button for the HomePod in home kit (in my main home). It took a bit to connect to this WiFi network, on its own, and started working fine. I am listening to it right now, as I silently watch the Olympic Ceremony.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back