iFixit Tears Down Second-Generation HomePod

[MacRumors]

Repair site iFixit today tore apart the second-generation HomePod that Apple began selling last week, sharing a video teardown of the device and testing its repairability.

The HomePod 2 looks very similar to the original HomePod, but Apple has given it a more repairable design that uses less adhesive. With the original HomePod, iFixit had to resort to special cutting tools, but the new version does not have as much glue and it is easier to open it up.

There are no major surprises inside the HomePod, with iFixit locating the S7 processor, LEDs that show through the display at the top, a large internal woofer, amplifier board, heat sink, power supply, and five tweeters.

The look at the woofer is interesting because iFixit is able to demonstrate just how much it's moving even when the volume isn't maxed out. With all of the audio components removed, the humidity and temperature sensor is visible at the bottom of the HomePod. It is the exact same sensor that's in the HomePod mini.

Overall, iFixit said that the HomePod 2 was surprisingly easy to dismantle simply because Apple removed all of the excess adhesive. Those who want to repair their own HomePods should be able to do so.

Article Link: iFixit Tears Down Second-Generation HomePod

 

[rizzo41999]

Higher profit margins

 

[vegetassj4]

Apple had to find some way of getting rid of those excess old Mac Pro case frames.

 

[CWallace]

And lower warranty support costs now that devices can actually be repaired under warranty rather than scrapped and recycled for materials.

 

[everlast3434]

Surprised they didn't find a first gen HomePod inside

 

[Topfry]

Surprised they didn't find a first gen HomePod inside

Or a bag of minis…

 

[diego.caraballo]

Just unbelievable how they shipped the OG without a heatsink attached to the audio amplifier (highlighted in orange)....

 

[goonie4life9]

Higher profit margins

Bingo! Apple's problem with the first HomePod was that it had so much that they had no clear upgrade path. With this version, they can introduce iterative updates, making each version contain things that are the "best we've ever had in a HomePod."

 

[QandnotU]

Not sure if I missed it, but does the Original and new HomePod have the same 4inch subwoofer? The bass sound profile is a bit different, just curious if the sub was the same size, and/or if it took a quality hit, or its simply a decision Apple made with software.

 

[pinkkie]

Bingo! Apple's problem with the first HomePod was that it had so much that they had no clear upgrade path. With this version, they can introduce iterative updates, making each version contain things that are the "best we've ever had in a HomePod."

like what? the first one already plays very good for its size, there is nothing to upgrade sound-wise and who cares about gimmicks like humidity sensor when Siri's still dumb as rock?

 

[DogHouseDub]

I still struggle with the design of an omnidirectional speaker array in a device that has to be plugged into a wall

 

[ghanwani]

How accurate is the temp and humidity sensor? Does it work as well as standalone instruments?

 

[now i see it]

I’m all for less glue

 

[symphony]

like what? the first one already plays very good for its size, there is nothing to upgrade sound-wise and who cares about gimmicks like humidity sensor when Siri's still dumb as rock?

I don’t find the humidity sensor a gimmick, which has more to do with HomeKit than Siri.

 

[warpdrive]

wow huge improvement in repairability.

I had the OG and it wouldn't power on. I thought I would crack it open to see what the problem could be (diode failure?) but after looking at the teardown, I gave up on the idea.

 

[Danfango]

Just unbelievable how they shipped the OG without a heatsink attached to the audio amplifier (highlighted in orange)....

View attachment 2156163

These are class D audio amplifiers. They do not dissipate any notable amount of power compared to class A/B/AB amplifiers which are traditionally used in audio amplifiers as they never operate in the "linear region". The output is just switched on and off very quickly and filtered.

The IR4301 in that series of chips can drive 160W into 4 ohms without a heatsink at all, all day every day and is merely 5x6mm in size. We've come a looooong way in audio design from big bulky amplifiers. Most of the mass now is the power supplies.

Datasheet here if you're interested: https://www.mouser.co.uk/datasheet/2/196/ir4301-1732434.pdf

 

[LeonPro]

I still struggle with the design of an omnidirectional speaker array in a device that has to be plugged into a wall

As opposed to? Battery operated? I definitely don't want home speakers to be battery-operated.

 

[mdriftmeyer]

I still struggle with the design of an omnidirectional speaker array in a device that has to be plugged into a wall

It’s not up to Apple to install your in-house outlets to match your aesthetics.

 

[JustSomebody12]

Apple had to find some way of getting rid of those excess old Mac Pro case frames.

View attachment 2156155

Such an environmentally involved company recycles everything!

 

[HMFIC03]

wow huge improvement in repairability.

I had the OG and it wouldn't power on. I thought I would crack it open to see what the problem could be (diode failure?) but after looking at the teardown, I gave up on the idea.

Same one of my two OGs won’t power on.. think the same with diode.. anyone know someone who can repair it for less than a new one would cost?

 

[goonie4life9]

like what? the first one already plays very good for its size, there is nothing to upgrade sound-wise and who cares about gimmicks like humidity sensor when Siri's still dumb as rock?

Well, first and foremost, Apple now has a path to add more tweeters and more microphones. I can already hear the PR: “The new HomePod provides an even more immersive sound experience with the addition of more tweeters. And we didn’t stop there. With more microphones, the HomePod can now respond even more quickly and better differentiate requests from background noise, providing best-in-class responsiveness.”

After that, we can look forward to a new processor with upgraded WiFi and Bluetooth. Oh, and don’t forget a U chip, to offer “more rapid and seamless integration with all of your Apple devices.”

 

[rizzo41999]

Bingo! Apple's problem with the first HomePod was that it had so much that they had no clear upgrade path. With this version, they can introduce iterative updates, making each version contain things that are the "best we've ever had in a HomePod."

Spot on - great minds think alike!

 

[segfaultdotorg]

Neat! Can't wait to see the teardown of the HomePod Pro.

 

[diego.caraballo]

These are class D audio amplifiers. They do not dissipate any notable amount of power compared to class A/B/AB amplifiers which are traditionally used in audio amplifiers as they never operate in the "linear region". The output is just switched on and off very quickly and filtered.

The IR4301 in that series of chips can drive 160W into 4 ohms without a heatsink at all, all day every day and is merely 5x6mm in size. We've come a looooong way in audio design from big bulky amplifiers. Most of the mass now is the power supplies.

Datasheet here if you're interested: https://www.mouser.co.uk/datasheet/2/196/ir4301-1732434.pdf

No doubt, but performance without a heatsink quickly deteriorates.

(from https://www.infineon.com/dgdl/Infin...N.pdf?fileId=5546d46258fc0bc101598b13dd7d2d56)

Also the chip is soldered in a small PCB board that seems dubious that could be effective removing the heat away from the amplifier.

People using the IR4xxx in real life has to use aluminum attachments to the PCB:

From https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/ir4301.356497/

 

[montuori]

I still struggle with the design of an omnidirectional speaker array in a device that has to be plugged into a wall

It doesn't have to be plugged into a wall. I regularly plug into a near by floor outlet in the (very large) space where I work.