HomePod Mini size, big sound!

[firewire9000]

Oh man, this thing in tiny! I knew it was small but when you have it in your hands you realize how small it is! For comparison, next to it there is an iPhone 12 mini.

Despite the size, this thing has some punch! It replaces a much bigger Sonos branded Ikea Symfonisk and being a quarter of the Sonos size, it sounds much better and have smart capabilities at the same 99 € price tag.

I have since 2018 two full size HomePods in my living room paired as stereo and I always wanted something like a HomePod for my bedroom but I don’t need something that powerful and expensive for a kinda small room which I don’t spend that much time in it. So for me the HomePod mini is perfect, it sounds pretty good, it’s relatively cheap and have the same smart capabilities as his big brother.

About the sound quality I didn’t really expect that much given the size of it, I knew that coming from Apple it wasn’t going to sound mediocre but oh man, the sound is really good! It can fill an average size room without sweating and the best part is that at higher volume levels it keeps sounding good without distortions. I saw some reviews saying that it lacks bass but I’m not agree with it, I insist, given the size I would say that the bass is pretty good. In fact I bet that if you put someone blindfolded in a room with a mini blasting music at 70 % and you show them where the music comes from, they will tell you that they are shocked and that they were expecting something bigger. Also if you forget the size of it, it sounds pretty good, which I think it’s the most important thing for a speaker. Also again another interesting thing is that the sound profile is like the big one, I mean it’s kinda listening to the big ones but with a small sound, does it makes sense? lol

About the smart capabilities, well, we all know Siri, I don’t think that I have to say anything about it, we all know what things it can do and what it cannot. What I can say is that is as fast as the big one, so good for it.

Bottom line, I like it, for 99 € you get great sound and smart capabilities. Are others smart speakers smarter? Yes. Are other smart speakers in this size and prince range sound better? I don’t think so. So if you care about sound, not so much about smart capabilities, you are in the Apple ecosystem and care about privacy, get a HomePod mini. If you only care about smart capabilities, get another smart speaker.


P.D: sorry if I sound kinda weird, English is not my native language.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I just turned on my new HomePod mini and the sound is excellent. I am very pleased. I just ordered 3 smart plugs from Amazon (for delivery tomorrow) so I will be able to turn on my t.v.’s.

 

[jcshas]

I’ve had a HomePod Mini for almost 24 hours now. The mini is replacing its older sibling (HomePod) as a nightstand speaker, which I moved to a larger room. I’m not an audiophile so take it with a grain of salt, but my impression is the HomePod Mini is a great little speaker when the volume is cranked up, but the SQ is only slightly better than my 3rd gen Echo Dot which was a fraction of the cost. I think the iOS integration is where HomePod mini truly shines, but based on SQ alone I think there are better options.

 

[vagos]

I’ve had a HomePod Mini for almost 24 hours now. The mini is replacing its older sibling (HomePod) as a nightstand speaker, which I moved to a larger room. I’m not an audiophile so take it with a grain of salt, but my impression is the HomePod Mini is a great little speaker when the volume is cranked up, but the SQ is only slightly better than my 3rd gen Echo Dot which was a fraction of the cost. I think the iOS integration is where HomePod mini truly shines, but based on SQ alone I think there are better options.

How does the mini compare to the original homepod (SQ & volume) ?

 

[ZeChild]

How does the mini compare to the original homepod (SQ & volume) ?

It doesn't at all, the HomePods have a way more advanced speaker setup with much bigger drivers than the Mini's so SQ & Volume are't as good, that being said for their size they're impressive in my opinion the SQ is great and they can reach a surprising volume for their size, but if SQ and Vol are the main thing you want the HomePods are the best bet however at a much bigger cost.

 

[SBlue1]

Can you set an EQ somehow?

 

[Melmanoh]

I'm not impressed at all compared to the Sonos one it sounds very flat and no bass, but I suppose it doesn't compare with the Sonos one. For now I have it on the bathroom on top of my Sonos but there is no comparison between the two. If Sonos had Siri they would be unstoppable.

 

[ZeChild]

I'm not impressed at all compared to the Sonos one it sounds very flat and no bass, but I suppose it doesn't compare with the Sonos one. For now I have it on the bathroom on top of my Sonos but there is no comparison between the two. If Sonos had Siri they would be unstoppable.View attachment 1671378

Don't think Apple were really aiming at the Sonos One, the HomePod Mini's half the size it's also half the price.

Out of curiosity why buy the HomePod Mini if you've already got the Sonos One?

 

[Melmanoh]

Don't think Apple were really aiming at the Sonos One, the HomePod Mini's half the size it's also half the price.

Out of curiosity why buy the HomePod Mini if you've already got the Sonos One?

I really wanted a voice assistant in the bathroom so this will have to do for now. My hope is that apple will come out with a HomePod Medium . I already have two regular HomePods as well and I love them.

 

[MTShipp]

I am very impressed at the sound output of such a small device! I have received one of the two I have ordered. I have it behind me on the opposing wall of my Samsung TV. I do not have anything special for audio, just the built in speakers. This little Homepod Mini is kicking the audio butt of my TV. I can not wait to get the second one in a couple of days to try out stereo sounds from it.

 

[perezr10]

Well, I’ve been happily using my HomePod Mini all day and I’m also real impressed. I already have two regular HomePods in my living room and home gym and could never bring myself to spend another $300 to put a HomePod in my bedroom. But this is perfect for a bedroom. It sounds way better than any Bluetooth speaker the same size.

Although, if I had to choose between one regular HomePod or 2 HomePod Mini’s, I’d take the single regular HomePod in a heartbeat. The lows are lower and the highs are higher. Doubling the HomePod Mini’s isn’t going to extend your range at all.

 

[JoshVB]

Well, I’ve been happily using my HomePod Mini all day and I’m also real impressed. I already have two regular HomePods in my living room and home gym and could never bring myself to spend another $300 to put a HomePod in my bedroom. But this is perfect for a bedroom. It sounds way better than any Bluetooth speaker the same size.

Although, if I had to choose between one regular HomePod or 2 HomePod Mini’s, I’d take the single regular HomePod in a heartbeat. The lows are lower and the highs are higher. Doubling the HomePod Mini’s isn’t going to extend your range at all.

I have a full sized HomePod and a HomePod mini pair. The mini pair sounds excellent in my opinion, vastly different than just listening via a single mini.

 

[RumorConsumer]

I just got my mini today and am blown away. It has the same sensibilities as the AirPods Pro which sound amazing to me. Very well done.

 

[perezr10]

I have a full sized HomePod and a HomePod mini pair. The mini pair sounds excellent in my opinion, vastly different than just listening via a single mini.

I don’t doubt that. Unless you do back to back comparisons, it’s hard to notice what is missing.

But I’ve been doing side by side comparisons all day and there it is quite obvious to even non-audiophiles that the HomePod Mini is missing in the low and top range frequencies. Going from a single Mini to a pair of Mini’s only makes the middle band louder. The sound simply isn’t as full and rich as a single HomePod.

 

[TonyC28]

Good to hear. I’m not expecting any deep sound from these, just some help with all-over sound in my house. I have two HomePods as a stereo pair in my family room. A mini in the kitchen and living room would be perfect.

 

[JoshVB]

I don’t doubt that. Unless you do back to back comparisons, it’s hard to notice what is missing.

But I’ve been doing side by side comparisons all day and there it is quite obvious to even non-audiophiles that the HomePod Mini is missing in the low and top range frequencies. Going from a single Mini to a pair of Mini’s only makes the middle band louder. The sound simply isn’t as full and rich as a single HomePod.

I agree that there’s going to be something missing sound wise. The HomePod retails for $299 whereas the mini is only $99. Comparing a single mini against a single HomePod, hands down the mini get’s smoked by the HomePod. What gets interesting though is the sound of the mini stereo pair against a single HomePod. The stereo pair of minis at $200 sounds pretty darn good compared to the single HomePod. You yourself indicate that unless you do back to back comparisons, it’s hard to notice what’s missing.

I’m not trying to take away from your claims regarding the lows and highs (the minis definitely lack the same bass). I’m just expressing my opinion that I really do think the stereo pair of minis is a decent option over a single HomePod.

 

[RumorConsumer]

Ive owned a lot of high end stereo equipment and headphones and this mini, for $99, for its size, is "insanely great".

One of my test listening tracks is Sting Me by the Black Crowes. You can hear anywhere speakers fall short. It is considered one of the best mixed rock albums of all time and you can so distinctly hear every instrument and voice in the first minute on good hardware. HomePod mini passes with like a 95%. I am very impressed.

 

[AL2TEACH]

I would think a comparison between the homepod and the mini are just useless when it comes to sound. I might get 2 mini's for my sister.

 

[Phil A.]

Mine arrived today (a few days earlier than expected) and I have to say I’m very impressed with it. It really is tiny but the sound quality is very good and it gets pretty loud with no distortion.


In fact, I was so impressed that I’ve ordered 2 more, but the lead time is now 7 weeks in the UK so they won’t be here until next year!

 

[Kebabselector]

Got mine today - now looking to return it. I love the size of the device and thought Siri worked well. I just can't live the bass level and lack of treble. I thought being a smaller unit it would be better, but not sadly.

 

[Melmanoh]

Got mine today - now looking to return it. I love the size of the device and thought Siri worked well. I just can't live the bass level and lack of treble. I thought being a smaller unit it would be better, but not sadly.

my thoughts exactly !!! the sound is just not there. I'm keeping it for now only due to Siri. for now it's sitting next to my Sonos. I use the Sonos for sound and HPM for Siri.

 

[Kebabselector]

my thoughts exactly !!! the sound is just not there. I'm keeping it for now only due to Siri. for now it's sitting next to my Sonos. I use the Sonos for sound and HPM for Siri.

Sound is entirely subjective and a number of people will love it, but it's not for me. Still helps someone on the refurb store get a discount!!!

 

[pilotpat]

The only issue I have is that it is way too quiet. I have to turn it up to about 75% to get it to fill a small bedroom. For the size, it sounds great, but I don't think you should have to sit right next to it to really hear it. Works great for Siri though.

 

[MiamiC70]

I have been playing around with my new HomePod minis and I have to say even with my reduced expectations I’m sorely underwhelmed. Typical Apple bass is too boomy, treble sucks and mids are muddy. I’ll keep them because they will serve the purpose I needed on nightstands but these things are contrary to the fanboys on here far from great speakers.

 

[Gathomblipoob]

Got mine today - now looking to return it. I love the size of the device and thought Siri worked well. I just can't live the bass level and lack of treble. I thought being a smaller unit it would be better, but not sadly.

Have you tried Settings>Music>EQ>Bass Reducer? That made the bass less muddy for me and cleared the mids/highs a bit.