HomePod Launches February 9, Available to Order Starting Friday in United States, UK, and Australia

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Let me help you,

“Stereophonic sound or, more commonly, stereo, is a method of sound reproduction that creates an illusion of multi-directional audible perspective. This is usually achieved by using two or more independent audio channels through a configuration of two or more loudspeakers (or stereo headphones) in such a way as to create the impression of sound heard from various directions, as in natural hearing.”

Source, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereophonic_sound

HomePod has seven directional speakers. Colocation doesn’t disqualify it as a stereo source.

By extension, perhaps we can try to imply this is basically 7.1 surround sound in a single, tiny case. Amazing!

With 2 of them, 14.2 surround sound? Hardly any home system has a 14 speaker setup. Build the best home theater in the land for only 2 times $349.

Wait, if I buy 3, can I claim 21.3 surround sound... maybe imply Atmos 2X or 3X?

 

[ifarlow]

in a household with multiple people is where products like this do best. You do not have to tie up anyone's phone.

According to the chat support I finished a few minutes ago, the HomePod will require your iPhone be Bluetooth connected in order to work. I don't necessarily believe that, but the lack of concrete info is enough to push me to pass on the pre-order.

 

[Fozziebear71]

I have said numerous times that I planned to order two as soon as they were available. But seeing has how the "stereo sound" option won't be available on release and Apple made no mention about how Homepod will handle multiple users, I plan to hold off on pre-ordering Homepod for now.

I am an Apple loyalist but the trend of Apple releasing products lately that aren't completely finished is wearing thin.

 

[kidd78]

I’ll pass. “Hey Siri, don’t order HomePod.”

Siri - "Ordering HomePod"

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Exactly. The lack of real info is disappointing for a new type of product from Apple, one that is starting in the shadows of existing devices from competitors.

It's a bit suspicious to me. Otherwise you spit out all the great features on the product's web page right? To me it looks like this isn't as much a smart speaker as it is a smart Apple Music speaker. To really do much of anything regarding voice commands for music or podcasts it reads like Apple Music is a requirement. Otherwise it's just a "dumb" Airplay speaker of days of old.

 

[OllyW]

Let me help you,

“Stereophonic sound or, more commonly, stereo, is a method of sound reproduction that creates an illusion of multi-directional audible perspective. This is usually achieved by using two or more independent audio channels through a configuration of two or more loudspeakers (or stereo headphones) in such a way as to create the impression of sound heard from various directions, as in natural hearing.”

Source, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereophonic_sound

The key part being "through a configuration of two or more loudspeakers".

It's all down to how the track is mastered, you don't need two guitarists, two bass players and two drummers to achieve it.

 

[Phil A.]

I wouldn't be sure about that. It would be trivial to separate out the L & R signals and send them to tweeters pointed out to either side, while the lower frequencies would come out of the single bass driver.

There's a reason why you can get by with a single mono subwoofer in a home stereo system - low frequencies tend to be omnidirectional and don't really require a separate stereo pair.

Start watching this video at 5:50. Notice how the animation shows two distinct sounds bouncing off the rear walls and then heading off towards the front as L & R? Along with a single sound coming from the front of the speaker? To me this is simulating LCR (left, centre and right). I think the tweeters facing the rear will each emit a distinct L & R channel while the direct front tweeter will be mono. Together they will create a stereo soundstage.

The HomePod wouldn't have the separation of a pair of speakers, but that doesn't mean it can't create a wider soundstage and have distinct L & R audio.

It may be technically possible, but Apple's own page says you need two for stereo sound which strongly suggests they haven't done this

 

[mattopotamus]

According to the chat support I finished a few minutes ago, the HomePod will require your iPhone be Bluetooth connected in order to work. I don't necessarily believe that, but the lack of concrete info is enough to push me to pass on the pre-order.

That is incorrect, but you do apparently need an iphone, ipad to do the initial setup from what I have read.

 

[OllyW]

I wouldn't be sure about that. It would be trivial to separate out the L & R signals and send them to tweeters pointed out to either side, while the lower frequencies would come out of the single bass driver.

Apple don't seem to agree with your theory.

HomePod's Multi-Room Audio and Stereo Features Will Not Be Available at Launch

 

[Dave245]

guessing a few days before launch we will see reviews.

I would like one for my lounge/kitchen for when I'm cooking for example or just browsing on the web I can listen to podcasts with decent sound.

Hopefully. I’m liking the speaker phone feature as well, it means when I take calls I will be able to do so via the Homepod at home. My plan is to get one for the bedroom to use for music but also to set alarms and reminders, the office one will mainly be used for music and taking calls.

 

[philosopherdog]

Australia? What. Canada please.

 

[BeatCrazy]

It's only stereo if you use two of them.

Apple did. It says so on the product page:
"Create stereo sound with a second HomePod."

Nowhere does it say that a single HomePod only produces mono sound.

 

[ifarlow]

That is incorrect, but you do apparently need an iphone, ipad to do the initial setup from what I have read.

I want to believe this, but there is nothing that I can find that definitively says this. So all I have is my belief and hope of how it will work versus what Apple Support is saying, and they aren't the same, unfortunately.

 

[OllyW]

Nowhere does it say that a single HomePod only produces mono sound.

Then why do Apple say you need two of them to create stereo sound?

 

[The Game 161]

Hopefully. I’m liking the speaker phone feature as well, it means when I take calls I will be able to do so via the Homepod at home. My plan is to get one for the bedroom to use for music but also to set alarms and reminders, the office one will mainly be used for music and taking calls.

Yeah for phone calls I think it will be great where you can sit in the lounge and still hear the other person really well

I plan on getting it to control my lights outside via HomeKit too so I think when in my lounge I won’t need to use Siri at all on my phone or iPad

 

[MistrSynistr]

We need to know if this can be used as a wireless home theater set up.

Also, they need to surprise us with a $100 price drop.

 

[Jimnational]

Another assistant loaded speaker that is really not needed.

Are you talking about one brand in general or all assistants? I have the Sonos One and the Ecobee thermostat with Alexa built in and both are becoming pretty useful. I use the One in my bedroom to turn on/off lights because they don't have wall switches. And I can summon any song in the world depending on my mood and company.

I use the Ecobee in the kitchen for timers, news, weather, etc etc. Maybe you should try out something cheaper first like the Echo Dot.

I often wonder why Apple just didn't buy out Sonos. They have excellent hardware but lack marketing muscle.

 

[MistrSynistr]

WTF seriously? I'll buy later in the year when it's discounted on closeout cause nobody wants half-assed crap.

LOL! wow.

 

[solace]

Let me help you,

“Stereophonic sound or, more commonly, stereo, is a method of sound reproduction that creates an illusion of multi-directional audible perspective. This is usually achieved by using two or more independent audio channels through a configuration of two or more loudspeakers (or stereo headphones) in such a way as to create the impression of sound heard from various directions, as in natural hearing.”

Source, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereophonic_sound

HomePod has seven directional speakers. Colocation doesn’t disqualify it as a stereo source.

it only has one woofer, so that part alone disqualifies it from outputting true/accurate STEREO sound. listen to the song 'Ringfinger' by Nine Inch Nails on headphones, there is no way they can replicate that song's stereo separation using only one woofer. Sure they can simulate it with the 7 tweeters, but that's faux stereo in that case.

to have true stereo sound you need at least some point of separation between the two speakers (even that boom box pictured in this thread has that), this one is a speaker array that can simulate stereo using software, but it would not meet the definition of true STEREO audio.

I can give you a list of albums/songs with crazy stereo separation/panning that this thing would not perform well on at all, namely Low's 'Drums and Guns' album.

Also, Sonos Play:1/One's also technically only simulate stereo, just as this will:

https://en.community.sonos.com/wireless-speakers-228992/sonos-1-stereo-or-mono-output-6735986

So are either truly "mono" speakers? No. they just play the stereo sound from one single source unless you have a pair, which doesn't give you much stereo separation, and thus isn't an ideal setup for audiophile listening.

 

[AngstyKylo]

I don't have a dedicated home audio set up, so there's no worry about it being replaced.

Come to think of it, I don't see that many people with dedicated home audio setups lately. It used to be a big thing. My dad was very proud of his in the 1970s and 80s. Home-built Klipschorns the size of refrigerators and all.

Wow that’s so classy.

 

[solace]

I don't think anyone knows for sure, but most of the time, these things detach. Wouldn't be surprised at all if it was just another lightning cable.

from the Tech Specs page, it doesn't say a "power cord" as one of the included in the box items, unlike the AppleTV, so i'm guessing it's built in (which is annoying).

 

[macduke]

Anytime I say "Hey Siri" I've got three devices within range that light up. I don't need a fourth. Is this for people who don't use Apple products but would somehow buy a $350 Apple-branded speaker? I don't get it.

 

[chabig]

The key part being "through a configuration of two or more loudspeakers".

Exactly. HomePod has seven directional speakers. That ought to be enough to produce a wide sound stage.

 

[TheMacDaddy1]

Ordering 5 on Friday!

 

[oneMadRssn]

In the 80's most people thought personal computers weren't needed.
In the 90's most people thought the internet wasn't needed.
In 2007 most people thought smartphones weren't really needed.
In 2010 most people thought the iPad wasn't really needed.
In 2015 most people thought smartwatches weren't really needed.

Home automation + smart assistants is gonna be huge. The industry is still in it's infancy, even today.

Looking back, it looks like most people in 2010 and 2015 were correct in thinking that.