HomePod HomePod pair frequently out of synch

[ric22]

Since the latest update this is their newest trick. Some songs start a second or so out of synch and play that way- it's a cluster**** of noise, that only ends by stopping the song and starting it again or moving to another. Is anyone else having this?

As a stand alone device one HomePod is tolerable, but the pair have caused me endless problems. Skipping problems (the 10-14 second skip) appear reduced in the latest update at least. Volume control issues persist, as does out of synch pausing and changing songs), amongst others

 

[dotme]

This is most likely a WiFi throughput issue. Airplay is a very chatty protocol - the devices have to compare notes with each other to stay in sync in addition to actually streaming the audio. Lossless audio can exacerbate the problem so if that's enabled, you could try temporarily turning that off to see if the situation improves.

This isn't about internet speed, and I'm not throwing shade at your WiFi routers. But when it comes to the wireless network, how many devices the access points are handling, how much interference there is from competing nearby WiFi networks and the demands placed on the cpu by the devices connected to it (including packet inspection if enabled) can all put a drag on throughput. I have 15 HomePods, and used to run those on a single WiFi access point. Had the same trouble you describe. All I did was add three more Access Points, on non-saturated channels, and it's been flawless for me every since. I can pump music from my iTunes library via an Apple TV to the whole house these days.

 

[ric22]

This is most likely a WiFi throughput issue. Airplay is a very chatty protocol - the devices have to compare notes with each other to stay in sync in addition to actually streaming the audio. Lossless audio can exacerbate the problem so if that's enabled, you could try temporarily turning that off to see if the situation improves.

This isn't about internet speed, and I'm not throwing shade at your WiFi routers. But when it comes to the wireless network, how many devices the access points are handling, how much interference there is from competing nearby WiFi networks and the demands placed on the cpu by the devices connected to it (including packet inspection if enabled) can all put a drag on throughput. I have 15 HomePods, and used to run those on a single WiFi access point. Had the same trouble you describe. All I did was add three more Access Points, on non-saturated channels, and it's been flawless for me ever since. I can pump music from my iTunes library via an Apple TV to the whole house these days.

Thanks for the reply. It's never happened before, in three properties. They've misbehaved before with cheaper routers in all sorts of ways, but my current mesh network, with a node directly between the two HomePods, has been good. It is a pity I can't connect them to Ethernet, as I have everything else I can in my house.

This evening no more synching problems since my post, but the skip is back! And I turned off Lossless because people suggested that was the problem. I'm astonished you have bought so many, and don't hate them!

 

[ric22]

When they're behaving I genuinely think they sound great, but they're such a glitchy mess I frequently have to separate them to minimise the crappy software and firmware. Even then, the mess that is Apple Music causes issues, when it frequently refuses to play songs that are in my extensive library but not uploaded.

I would have liked to have used them as Mac speakers, but they can't operate like that, inexplicably.