HomePod HomePod or 2 Sonos

[RamGuy]

I got myself a second HomePod and this thing is just amazing when it comes to spreading sound. I have it right next to my desktop monitor and when I play on the HomePod it sounds like the audio is radiating from the entire wall. You can't really tell exactly where the HomePod is located unless you see it as its sounds like the sound is coming from everywhere around it and its really great at reflecting off the walls.

Compared to my Sonos One's, Sonos Play 3's and Sonos Play 5's they can't really spread the audio at all compared to the HomePod. They are stationary units pushing directional sounds so in order for them to work the best you need to ensure you have optimal placement so they are firing sound directly in your direction, preferably they should be placed a few meters from your listening position so the directional audio waves manages to spread somewhat before they arrive at your listening position. If you are too close they don't really have sound-stages or any width to them at all unless you setup two in a stereo pair.

And all the Sonos speakers lacks the same great DSP and loudness EQ as the HomePod so they sound really flat with a really narrow dynamic range unless you turn the volume to something like 60+ which is rather loud. The HomePod is much more capable of sounding vivid and dynamic even at really low volume levels which is quite impressive.

 

[GDF]

I just wish the HomePod could do more like the Sonos One's do. Even though I think the HomePod sounds better and still like Siri, even though it is quite limited compared to Alexa, I wish it could integrate with into a tv sound system, like Sonos does. Right now, Sonos is much more versatile.

The cost, price/performance ratio is just not there for the HomePod. At least for me and at least not yet. Hopefully, Apple makes it better throughout this year.

 

[RamGuy]

I've already slowly started to replace my Sonos Play 5's with HomePod's. I'm currently at 2x HomePods, one in the bathroom and one in the Kitchen replacing the Sonos Play 5 I had in these rooms.

I don't think a single Play 5 does anything better than the HomePod other than being capable of going louder. Everything else in terms of audio quality, especially in rooms where great placement is next to impossible and people will never ever stand or sit in a specific location the HomePod is just way more flexible and capable of providing great audio.

The only thing holding me back from putting a HomePod in ever room is the fact that its still not sold in Norway, so I have to either have trip to the US or UK so I can grab a few without paying a premium or wait for something to sell them used like I just did with my second one where someone had bought one but decided to sell it so I could grab it for retail price without paying a premium like I would when purchasing from places like Ebay. And of course the lack of AirPlay 2 / Multi-room is irritating as it will render it impossible for us to have music playing throughout the house unless we want different music in every room which we never want.

I will keep the Sonos Play Base + Play Sub + Sonos One surround setup in the living room and in the bedroom and eagerly await Sonos to update them with AirPlay 2 so I can group them with my HomePod's. Other than that the HomePod will replace Sonos in every other room of our house.

 

[DarwinOSX]

Thinking about buying 2 Sonos Play 1 (the One no longer has the mounting screwhole lame). Does anyone have any experience with these? I wonder how well they work with Apple Music. I want to wall mount them. I could also get an homepod and forego the wall mount. Hmmm.

My main system is the Kef LS50 wireless which are far above enything mentioned here but it is my reference point.
I’ve had two Sonos Ones since release day and they have always felt like they lacked detail. Alexa also works very poorly on them so many people are connecting an echo device to them to get full functionality and turning off the Sonos one mics. Also turning up the Sonos Ones above 30 or 40% and everything falls apart. Bass is boomy and lacks detail all the time.
The HomePod is clearer with better detail than the Sonos One or the Play 5 which costs $150 more. It stays this way even at high volumes and the mic sensitive is amazing. I do find them a little bass heavy but is solved by using basso reducer in the eq.
Audiophiles would not touch anything by Sonos but a lot of them really like the HomePod.
I switched lights etc to HomeKit rom Alexa for privacy reasons and it works very well.
I bought a second HomePod and am eagerly awaiting stereo pairing.
I’m finding 360 sound is a big deal too which I wasn’t expecting and it’s to the point where I don’t want to be without it.
I hope Apple puts the effort into it the HomePod deserves but that remains to be seen especially if it doesn’t sell well.
I was quite happy to sell my Sonos Ones on Craigslist.
[doublepost=1520906155][/doublepost]Here’s a good article comparing them.
https://techpinions.com/you-cant-unhear-apples-homepod/52182