HomePod HomePod Microphone range and reception

[DavidBlack]

The title says it all. I recently bought a an Amazon echo and I am not too pleased with how well the microphone picks up my voice. Especially, when loud music is being played the echo's microphone reception isn't great. I am thinking about picking up a HomePod and was wondering if those who own one can shade some light on this for me. I haven't found much online about this except that people say it's great. Both Apple and Amazon claim that the speaker can pick up your voice over music so I wanted to hear real world accounts.

Questions:

How well does it pick up your voice at max volume, and if so, how far and how loud do you need to speak?
How well does it pick up your voice when external noise is present (other speaker, fans, etc)?

 

[TheBearman]

The title says it all. I recently bought a an Amazon echo and I am not too pleased with how well the microphone picks up my voice. Especially, when loud music is being played the echo's microphone reception isn't great. I am thinking about picking up a HomePod and was wondering if those who own one can shade some light on this for me. I haven't found much online about this except that people say it's great. Both Apple and Amazon claim that the speaker can pick up your voice over music so I wanted to hear real world accounts.

Questions:

How well does it pick up your voice at max volume, and if so, how far and how loud do you need to speak?
How well does it pick up your voice when external noise is present (other speaker, fans, etc)?

Well, not at 100% but 80% (100 is just a bit to much) I asked in a fairly low tone the time.. then temp... not a problem and picked it right up. This is about 10ft away so not far, just sitting in my living room. If you were standing next to the HomePod, you (as a person) would not have heard the question so I think it does great.

As for external noise.... with the TV on I don't have a problem with it either... for the most part. Every now and then I need to ask an inactive Siri twice to do something. Sound in the room isn't the cause, it's almost like it's napping or something. If it's playing/active then not a problem at all. Makes me want to say "Hey Siri, wake the f*#$ up!" Hoping this is a software issue that will be corrected at some point.

 

[Topfry]

Mines been generally good at listening, but occasionally disappointing; sometimes I have had to repeat stuff 3 even 4 time. Room acoustics might be playing a part, though, as it sits in the corner of a bay window (even if the sound from it is very good). I have rebooted it a couple of times, which seemed to improve reception for a while, so that tends to suggest a software isssue.
I also have a couple of google home minis and an echo dot, and hard as it is to admit, I find the google home minis the most responsive.

 

[Volusia]

My wife thinks it pick up too good! She sets an alarm on her phone every night and has always done it by summoning Siri on her phone and providing the instruction. She can be another room and attempt to summon Siri via voice and the HP will answer. Keep telling her if she is using the home button on her phone she does not have in invoke the name, but she is used to doing that way...

 

[DavidBlack]

Mines been generally good at listening, but occasionally disappointing; sometimes I have had to repeat stuff 3 even 4 time. Room acoustics might be playing a part, though, as it sits in the corner of a bay window (even if the sound from it is very good). I have rebooted it a couple of times, which seemed to improve reception for a while, so that tends to suggest a software isssue.
I also have a couple of google home minis and an echo dot, and hard as it is to admit, I find the google home minis the most responsive.

That's why I am a little hesitant to get one; the microphone reception is a big concern for me.

 

[Caromsoft]

This review might help you

 

[Topfry]

That's why I am a little hesitant to get one; the microphone reception is a big concern for me.

It seems to work well for some people if you browse through ‘first impressions’ threads; but like the sound quality, responsiveness changes according to where it is placed, I suspect that positioning it well is paramount in spite of the marketing. I live in a British Victorian house, it consists of a number of medium sized angular rooms with high ceilings and bay windows, if you are in an open plan room and it’s centrally placed, it may prove more effective. But I would say that with regards to the above reviewer testing the microphones, that hasn’t been my experience.

I think the only realistic way you can decide, is to buy one and trial it for the two weeks in your own home, return it if it doesn’t suit you...

 

[DavidBlack]

It seems to work well for some people if you browse through ‘first impressions’ threads; but like the sound quality, responsiveness changes according to where it is placed, I suspect that positioning it well is paramount in spite of the marketing. I live in a British Victorian house, it consists of a number of medium sized angular rooms with high ceilings and bay windows, if you are in an open plan room and it’s centrally placed, it may prove more effective. But I would say that with regards to the above reviewer testing the microphones, that hasn’t been my experience.

I think the only realistic way you can decide, is to buy one and trial it for the two weeks in your own home, return it if it doesn’t suit you...

That's the issue if I purchase a HomePod it will be a bit more of a hassle to return one because of where I live (British Virgin Islands)
[doublepost=1524735593][/doublepost]

This review might help you

Thanks! Will check it out