HomePod home theatre stereo?

[vipergts2207]

Feel free to,send me a link of a 5.1 system that sounds great, is multiroom, wireless, has built in Alexa (and Google Home soon), AirPlay 2, is compatable with dozens of music services and can access all the music on my Mac.

I see you tried very hard to include so much criteria so that the only setup on the market that meets every one of those is the Sonos setup. Try as you may though, it's only because there are no other speakers that have both Alexa and Google Home. In fact, I don't think Sonos' stuff even does that itself yet. That being said, this get's you everything but Alexa/GH in one, and the sound quality will spank the pants off of Sonos' overpriced kit. It even comes out $60 cheaper and has the benefit of including an ATV. You could even opt for a full-fledged ATV 4K and still come out under $1700.

Q Acoustics 3010 pair x 2: $400
Q Acoustics 3090c: $160
SVS SB-1000: $500
Rocketfish Wireless Speaker Kit: $100
Rocketfish Wireless Sub Kit: $60
Denon AVR-S530BT: $230
Apple TV 4: $140
Echo Dot: $50

Total: $1640

Edit: Looking into it some more it looks like you can also get Google Home with this setup as well by adding a Google Home Mini and Chromecast audio. Doing so would bring the total to $1725. This would do everything the Sonos setup would with the added benefit of better sound quality and an ATV.

 

[WhiteHawk]

Not necessarily true at all. See Sonos’ 5.1 setup for example.

90% of the time it is, and besides that a number of AV amps support AirPlay, my previous Yamaha and current Denon amp does.

 

[AustinIllini]

Why is that? And do you mean two stereo HomePods or two stereo speakers in general?

In general, two stereo speakers don't make a good sound system for home theaters/televisions. Far and away, the number one reason is a lack of a center channel. In a traditional 3.1 (or 5.1 if you add surrounds) setup, a center channel takes care of almost all of the voice onscreen. As a result, that center channel is your work horse and you want it directly under the television. When you use stereo speakers instead, you kind of get this odd situation where talking that takes place onscreen happens in one of the side stereo channels which causes really odd audio-visual behavior.
[doublepost=1517093738][/doublepost]

I see you tried very hard to include so much criteria so that the only setup on the market that meets every one of those is the Sonos setup. Try as you may though, it's only because there are no other speakers that have both Alexa and Google Home. In fact, I don't think Sonos' stuff even does that itself yet. That being said, this get's you everything but Alexa/GH in one, and the sound quality will spank the pants off of Sonos' overpriced kit. It even comes out $60 cheaper and has the benefit of including an ATV. You could even opt for a full-fledged ATV 4K and still come out under $1700.

Q Acoustics 3010 pair x 2: $400
Q Acoustics 3090c: $160
SVS SB-1000: $500
Rocketfish Wireless Speaker Kit: $100
Rocketfish Wireless Sub Kit: $60
Denon AVR-S530BT: $230
Apple TV 4: $140
Echo Dot: $50

Total: $1640

What kind of speaker to you put in a different room?

 

[vipergts2207]

In general, two stereo speakers don't make a good sound system for home theaters/televisions. Far and away, the number one reason is a lack of a center channel. In a traditional 3.1 (or 5.1 if you add surrounds) setup, a center channel takes care of almost all of the voice onscreen. As a result, that center channel is your work horse and you want it directly under the television. When you use stereo speakers instead, you kind of get this odd situation where talking that takes place onscreen happens in one of the side stereo channels which causes really odd audio-visual behavior.
[doublepost=1517093738][/doublepost]
What kind of speaker to you put in a different room?

Any speaker that supports AirPlay 2.

 

[AustinIllini]

Any speaker that supports AirPlay 2.

How do you tell echo to play music in a different room with that setup?

 

[vipergts2207]

How do you tell echo to play music in a different room with that setup?

If you want to do multi-room with Alexa your other rooms would use either various Echo speakers or Dots with speaker(s) of your choice connected to it.

 

[robjulo]

Lol. Are you seriously equating that mess to a clean Sonos setup? Get real.

I see you tried very hard to include so much criteria so that the only setup on the market that meets every one of those is the Sonos setup. Try as you may though, it's only because there are no other speakers that have both Alexa and Google Home. In fact, I don't think Sonos' stuff even does that itself yet. That being said, this get's you everything but Alexa/GH in one, and the sound quality will spank the pants off of Sonos' overpriced kit. It even comes out $60 cheaper and has the benefit of including an ATV. You could even opt for a full-fledged ATV 4K and still come out under $1700.

Q Acoustics 3010 pair x 2: $400
Q Acoustics 3090c: $160
SVS SB-1000: $500
Rocketfish Wireless Speaker Kit: $100
Rocketfish Wireless Sub Kit: $60
Denon AVR-S530BT: $230
Apple TV 4: $140
Echo Dot: $50

Total: $1640

Edit: Looking into it some more it looks like you can also get Google Home with this setup as well by adding a Google Home Mini and Chromecast audio. Doing so would bring the total to $1725. This would do everything the Sonos setup would with the added benefit of better sound quality and an ATV.

 

[sam2428]

I don’t understand why all the demo / early reviewers were able to experience the stereo setup but it wont be released at launch. They obviously have it functional to show it off....

 

[vipergts2207]

Lol. Are you seriously equating that mess to a clean Sonos setup? Get real.

Lol. Are you seriously equating that overpriced Sonos gear to a proper setup? Get real. I provided a system that meets the requirements you laid out so now you’re moving the goal posts. It’s mariginally more complicated than the a Sonos setup, but offers more functionality and much better sound quality. However, you are free to overpay for the mediocre Sonos kit if you want.

 

[AustinIllini]

If you want to do multi-room with Alexa your other rooms would use either various Echo speakers or Dots with speaker(s) of your choice connected to it.

Which are terrible for audio. Sounds like a real pain.
[doublepost=1517158922][/doublepost]

Lol. Are you seriously equating that overpriced Sonos gear to a proper setup? Get real. I provided a system that meets the requirements you laid out so now you’re moving the goal posts. It’s mariginally more complicated than the a Sonos setup, but offers more functionality and much better sound quality. However, you are free to overpay for the mediocre Sonos kit if you want.

It's actually a pretty terrible setup, but to each his own. This is an Apple Forum, where convenience and ease of use are valued like they are to the general public.

 

[vipergts2207]

Which are terrible for audio. Sounds like a real pain.
[doublepost=1517158922][/doublepost]
It's actually a pretty terrible setup, but to each his own. This is an Apple Forum, where convenience and ease of use are valued like they are to the general public.

That's why if it were me I'd be doing AP2 speakers or Dots for the multi-room portion.

 

[AustinIllini]

That's why if it were me I'd be doing AP2 speakers or Dots for the multi-room portion.

But AP is a bad solutions and I'm not convinced a real audiophile would suggest it.

 

[vipergts2207]

But AP is a bad solutions and I'm not convinced a real audiophile would suggest it.

A 'real audiophile' also certainly wouldn't use a Sonos setup. What do you think a 'real audiophile' would use for multi-room audio? I also don't know what's so bad about AP, especially if we're talking about using it in the context of multi-room, as opposed to a single dedicated listening location.

 

[wayneholbrook]

I don’t understand why all the demo / early reviewers were able to experience the stereo setup but it wont be released at launch. They obviously have it functional to show it off....

This was really the point I wanted to make. Now I have 5 Bose Sound touch speakers around the house that I use to play iTunes or SiriusXM throughout the House. From what I understand is that the HomePod will not be shipped with the software to do that and we will have to wait for a future update.

They can not talk to each other yet. That’s crazy for them to ship like that. There is no reason to buy more then one HomePod at the moment. They can’t replace my Bose Sound Touches yet which is what I was trying to accomplish.

 

[dannys1]

Feel free to send me a link of a 5.1 system that sounds great, is multiroom, wireless, has built in Alexa (and Google Home soon), AirPlay 2, is compatable with dozens of music services and can access all the music on my Mac.

Pretty sure most 2017 Cinema and Music amps can do this. Which leaves you room for a set of Elac speakers designed by Andrew Jones that would absolutely destroy the most top end Sonos setup possible (which sounds pretty naff)
[doublepost=1517350231][/doublepost]

A 'real audiophile' also certainly wouldn't use a Sonos setup. What do you think a 'real audiophile' would use for multi-room audio?

Probably an amp with built in multi room features, of which there are quite a lot - I guess a batch of Airplay 2 ones will come out this year too.

Sonos sounds dreadful, the most expensive one (which is £150 more than an Homepod) in the UK is borderline acceptable to my ears, but Id really not want to listen to it if I had choice, the other ones are awful awful speakers.

I'm going to buy a HomePod and hope it sounds at least acceptable, I hope it wont have that boxy, boom, veiled sound that all consumer bluetooth speakers have, and anything by Bose (and all those Sonos ones) or I won't be able to live with it even as a casual speaker and will send it back.

All will be revealed next week, I really really hope it doesn't sound boxy.

 

[miatadan]

Pretty sure most 2017 Cinema and Music amps can do this. Which leaves you room for a set of Elac speakers designed by Andrew Jones that would absolutely destroy the most top end Sonos setup possible (which sounds pretty naff)
[doublepost=1517350231][/doublepost]

Probably an amp with built in multi room features, of which there are quite a lot - I guess a batch of Airplay 2 ones will come out this year too.

Sonos sounds dreadful, the most expensive one (which is £150 more than an Homepod) in the UK is borderline acceptable to my ears, but Id really not want to listen to it if I had choice, the other ones are awful awful speakers.

I'm going to buy a HomePod and hope it sounds at least acceptable, I hope it wont have that boxy, boom, veiled sound that all consumer bluetooth speakers have, and anything by Bose (and all those Sonos ones) or I won't be able to live with it even as a casual speaker and will send it back.

All will be revealed next week, I really really hope it doesn't sound boxy.

At the stereo shop I work at Sono's is borderline acceptable but we sell it for the convenience and casual listening. Most sound bars sound awful but popular as they take little space. Most better home theater receivers support airplay, tidal, tunein radio, spotify etc
In the $349 each price range that is considered budget level.

Absolute Sounds Buyers Guide Bookshelf and Stand Mount " Our Top Picks "from $299 for Elac Debut B5 to $14,699-$15,699 for Harbeth 40.2 So I agree with dannys1 re elac vs sonos

Some floor stand speakers sell for over $200,000 but most affordable floor standing speaker in "Our Top Picks" by Absolute Sound was the $560 Elac Debut F5. Most audiophiles consider the Magnepan .7 at $1395 a pair a bargain.

If the Apple HomePod sounds better than a Sono's One , those who care about sound and desire voice assistant, based on what I read so far will check out the Apple Homepod.

Dan

 

[dannys1]

At the stereo shop I work at Sono's is borderline acceptable but we sell it for the convenience and casual listening. Most sound bars sound awful but popular as they take little space. Most better home theater receivers support airplay, tidal, tunein radio, spotify etc
In the $349 each price range that is considered budget level.

Absolute Sounds Buyers Guide Bookshelf and Stand Mount " Our Top Picks "from $299 for Elac Debut B5 to $14,699-$15,699 for Harbeth 40.2 So I agree with dannys1 re elac vs sonos

Some floor stand speakers sell for over $200,000 but most affordable floor standing speaker in "Our Top Picks" by Absolute Sound was the $560 Elac Debut F5. Most audiophiles consider the Magnepan .7 at $1395 a pair a bargain.

If the Apple HomePod sounds better than a Sono's One , those who care about sound and desire voice assistant, based on what I read so far will check out the Apple Homepod.

Dan

That's basically the same conclusion I came to Dan. To be honest i'm hoping it sounds better than a Sonos Play:5 as that's the only one I consider to have even remotely acceptable sound and I still wouldn't want one. Someone said it was done by a head engineer from B&W though, so if it sounds anything like that iPod dock they did back in the day, we're doomed, it was dreadful.

 

[boshii]

That's basically the same conclusion I came to Dan. To be honest i'm hoping it sounds better than a Sonos Play:5 as that's the only one I consider to have even remotely acceptable sound and I still wouldn't want one. Someone said it was done by a head engineer from B&W though, so if it sounds anything like that iPod dock they did back in the day, we're doomed, it was dreadful.

It would be a miraculous feat of engineering if Apple was able to make it sound better than a Play:5 in a box the size of a Sonos One.

Judging from the first round of Apple-controlled reviews, I think the sound would be more comparable to a Sonos One.

 

[dannys1]

It would be a miraculous feat of engineering if Apple was able to make it sound better than a Play:5 in a box the size of a Sonos One.

Judging from the first round of Apple-controlled reviews, I think the sound would be more comparable to a Sonos One.

Well if that's the case i'll be getting returned by me a week later - the Sonos One is dreadful.

I'd happily buy a HomePod mini if Apple ever does one, I still prefer Siri for home automation - and link it up to some proper Elac speakers

 

[subjonas]

Well if that's the case i'll be getting returned by me a week later - the Sonos One is dreadful.

I'd happily buy a HomePod mini if Apple ever does one, I still prefer Siri for home automation - and link it up to some proper Elac speakers

Apple will make a cheaper mini, it will be wildly popular, then they’ll come out with a more expensive pro version and agressively market it, neglecting to update nor advertise the mini, and will keep the mini on the verge of discontinuation because of its smaller profit margin and intentionally shrinking market (because of said profit margin) despite many people still finding it the most reasonable and useful version.

I’m not bitter.

 

[maflynn]

I'd happily buy a HomePod mini if Apple ever does one

The HomePod is not even out the door yet, I don't beleive a mini is even in the works. While the speak is an engineering marvel, but you can't defeat physics and a smaller product is going to have inferior sound.

I'm no audiophile, but I definitely hear the difference between my Echo and my Dot.

 

[robertmanziel]

I agree that soundbar is the better option.

 

[dannys1]

The HomePod is not even out the door yet, I don't beleive a mini is even in the works. While the speak is an engineering marvel, but you can't defeat physics and a smaller product is going to have inferior sound.

I'm no audiophile, but I definitely hear the difference between my Echo and my Dot.

Correct but as i'm not going to find a speaker to my standards id rather just have the microphones and a voice assistant and use it with my own hi fi set up. I have Dots and the Google Home Mini, i'm not really interested in playing music out of them, I just like them for home automation - which Siri is still the best at (I might just keep the HomePod for Siri and home automation alone)

 

[canyonblue737]

Let's make this more clear for you...

As of shipping...

1. The HomePod can not be paired in a stereo pairing, nor in even larger home audio groups. If you own 5 HomePods you can NOT for example synchronize them and play holiday Christmas music throughout your house.
2. The above limitation will be fixed by Airplay 2, a software technology "coming later this year" but seemingly fairly soon since iOS 11.3 beta currently being tested for "spring" release had Airplay 2 included. It appears Apple just didn't have the technology ready but didn't want to wait any longer to launch the HomePod.
3. You WILL BE ABLE to Airplay (Airplay 1, what we all have today) audio to any HomePod in your home. You could for example open up YouTube, or Spotify etc. on your iPhone, iPad or Mac and select any one HomePod in your home as a target and the audio will play to it at launch. You just can't pair that music up to multiple HomePods.

It won't be long before Apple fixes this, the idea of having HomePods in various places through your house and saying, "Play U2 in the master bedroom and family room" or "Move this music to the Living Room" is coming, but Apple is no doubt late, and more expensive than others. We will see how they fare.
[doublepost=1517691617][/doublepost]

That's basically the same conclusion I came to Dan. To be honest i'm hoping it sounds better than a Sonos Play:5 as that's the only one I consider to have even remotely acceptable sound and I still wouldn't want one. Someone said it was done by a head engineer from B&W though, so if it sounds anything like that iPod dock they did back in the day, we're doomed, it was dreadful.

I really like the Sonos Play:5 sound, for me it is more than acceptable. I have two of them. I haven't heard the Play:3 other than in a store and I wasn't impressed. I do have four Play:1's though and while they serve a purpose they are so so muddy sounding, I don't think they are great at all. Hearing the HomePod sounds "better" than the Play:1 is good, but most reviews say it is close and on some songs even tied. That's concerning. They never (I know Apple is forcing this until the 9th) compare it to the Play:5 and to me that must be for a reason, if it is better than the Play:5 they would proudly show how it sounds better than "even this large and more expensive speaker!" but they don't.

I'm still excited for HomePod and have 2 on order as my extensive but older generation fleet of Sonos speakers won't work easily with Airplay 2 later this year, and even if I replaced them with newer ones it still won't be seamless voice control. I want seamless voice control of "good" speakers, they don't have to be insanely great but much better than the every single retailer Amazon Echo models. I still think Alexa is the best smart assistant and I have extensive home automation throughout my home so I do have 8 Amazon Echo Dots at the low cost $29 each to cover home automation until I get acceptable coverage of HomePods. I likely will sell my Sonos collection. Much depends on what my ears hear on February 9th when my first 2 HomePods arrive.