Sonos makes horrible horrible speakers though…
I think you’re thinking of Sonoz speakers off Aliexpress.
Sonos makes horrible horrible speakers though…
I agree. I have a Sonos system but was very curious about the HomePod when it was released, so I bought one to try. I thought it sounded very good, not as good as the Sonos Five, but definitely better than the Sonos Move.A huge reason for its flop was also Apple’s arrogance over third party streaming apps and only allowing Apple Music. They narrowed their market even further. Effectively you needed to want to pay £349 and only use Apple Music which was very shortsighted and something I believe they lifted after a couple of years.
Yeah I do that regularly as a sound engineer. I dont know about the quality of hardware inside, but the sound is pure torture (especially the crappy midrange). I dont know ANYONE who bought sonos because of the sound, only for the connectivity…Lol. Sure, that's why they're so popular, because they are horrible. I've owned Sonos products for over a decade and not a single one has failed. The system works flawlessly. I've compared the Five and OG HomePod side by side and the Five sounds much better. Sonos gets very high marks across the board from reviewers and customers alike. Maybe you should get your hearing checked.
As a sound engineer, I’d expect you to be picky. The average person isn’t going to be as critical. If they like what they hear, that’s good enough. In Sonos’s case, plenty of people obviously like what they hear. Good connectivity alone doesn’t sell speakers. That should be fairly obvious. Frankly you’re in the minority with your opinion on Sonos. Most reviews are quite positive and most Sonos customers love their products. Whatever your beef, most people simply don’t share it.Yeah I do that regularly as a sound engineer. I dont know about the quality of hardware inside, but the sound is pure torture. I dont know ANYONE who bought sonos because of the sound, only for the connectivity…
I dont agree that is is more elegant to open a separate app than the one that was built around whichever service we want to discuss. I think the more elegant solution is using the native app which makes it easy to transition from house, to walking the dog, to the car, and to work. I have used products that use their own apps to control other services..LMS, Plex, Wiim, Audirvana, and I preferred the native app in every case. I think Sonos added Airplay to some of their speakers to answer this issue for those that feel the same way about it.I agree. I have a Sonos system but was very curious about the HomePod when it was released, so I bought one to try. I thought it sounded very good, not as good as the Sonos Five, but definitely better than the Sonos Move.
I returned the HomePod and invested further in Sonos for several reasons. One of those reasons was Sonos's support for all kinds of third party audio services. I use PocketCasts for Podcasts, TuneIn for radio, SoundCloud, etc. Sonos supports all of these. Apple, at the time, supported none of them. Sure, AirPlay was always an option, but it's not nearly as elegant as having all of your services in one app, being able to create favorites across different services, etc.
I haven't looked at whether or not the new HomePod offers better support for third party services. At this point, I'm so deep in with Sonos that Apple has permanently lost me as a potential home audio customer.
To each his/her own. When I'm home I like opening one app and not having to jump between a bunch of different interfaces.I dont agree that is is more elegant to open a separate app than the one that was built around whichever service we want to discuss. I think the more elegant solution is using the native app which makes it easy to transition from house, to walking the dog, to the car, and to work. I have used products that use their own apps to control other services..LMS, Plex, Wiim, Audirvana, and I preferred the native app in every case. I think Sonos added Airplay to some of their speakers to answer this issue for those that feel the same way about it.
"Audiophile" is such a worthless term. If the speaker sounds good to you, it's good. It's really that simple. "Audiophiles" are just like wine snobs. It's all about ego, not taste.I agree that Sonos speakers are fine for most people. However, they are not audiophile quality which is why a lot of people are just using separate streaming devices with the regular speakers.
They added Airplay for a reason.To each his/her own. When I'm home I like opening one app and not having to jump between a bunch of different interfaces.
"Audiophile" is such a worthless term. If the speaker sounds good to you, it's good. It's really that simple. "Audiophiles" are just like wine snobs. It's all about ego, not taste.
What I like about Sonos is that I can use whatever speakers I want with their Amp and Port products. I have in-ceiling speakers throughout my house connected to Sonos Amps. No one else makes such an easy and elegant home audio solution.
Of course they're good enough. Otherwise they wouldn't be one of the most popular consumer speaker brands. Sheesh. Whatever your bias, it's showing because you're obviously clueless about their popularity. I just finished building a house and both my electrician and AV guys sell Sonos Amps (they're not called Connect anymore, FYI) all day long. They install racks of them in new homes. You obviously don't like Sonos for whatever reason and that's fine, but get real, they're extremely popular and for good reason. They've been around for a long time, they are rock solid, and the speakers sound great for the price.We agree that they have the most multi-room options for your average consumer.
Sonos speakers aren't going to be good enough for a lot of people. As you said, they have the Connect to fill that void. However, I am not sure it is all that popular these days with Bluesound and Wiim getting in the game. I think the Connect serves people that already use Sonos speakers, but want to use better speakers when they are in the mood.
That's great and all but it's still too expensive like the OG.
LOL The Echo Dot is very popular, as well (I actually have a few of them). Yet, that has nothing to do with my point that there are much better sounding speakers out there.Of course they're good enough. Otherwise they wouldn't be one of the most popular consumer speaker brands. Sheesh. Whatever your bias, it's showing because you're obviously clueless about their popularity. I just finished building a house and both my electrician and AV guys sell Sonos Amps (they're not called Connect anymore, FYI) all day long. They install racks of them in new homes. You obviously don't like Sonos for whatever reason and that's fine, but get real, they're extremely popular and for good reason. They've been around for a long time, they are rock solid, and the speakers sound great for the price.
Of course, there's always something better. And better is subjective, especially when it comes to something like audio. If it sounds good to your ears, it's good. It's really that simple. Furthermore, your OPINION is generally not shared by most reviewers and customers. Sonos gets very positive reviews for their sound quality across the board. You don't like Sonos. We get it. But you're just one random person arguing on a forum and your opinion is pretty meaningless compared to the opinion of professional reviewers and, frankly, lots of satisfied customers.LOL The Echo Dot is very popular, as well. Yet, that has nothing to do with my point that there are much better sounding speakers out there.
As I said, they are fine for the market they are serving. This isn't some hatred for Sonos, just saying they aren't the best sounding speakers out there and I haven't read a professional review that contradicts that point.Of course, there's always something better. And better is subjective, especially when it comes to something like audio. If it sounds good to your ears, it's good. It's really that simple. Furthermore, your OPINION is generally not shared by most reviewers and customers. Sonos gets very positive reviews for their sound quality across the board. You don't like Sonos. We get it. But you're just one random person arguing on a forum and your opinion is pretty meaningless compared to the opinion of professional reviewers and, frankly, lots of satisfied customers.
You're comparing apples and oranges. Different markets. No one is going to argue that better sounding speakers exist, but you will pay a lot more and you will need to buy additional hardware beyond just the speakers. Most people aren't interested in, and frankly can't afford, the best of the best in any market. If you want to spend thousands and thousands of dollars to have an "audiophile" setup, by all means, knock yourself out. Most people don't care. They just want something that sounds good and works reliably. Sonos checks those boxes and arguably sounds as good, if not better, than its competitors. You can compare a Hyundai to a Ferrari too, but what's the point?As I said, they are fine for the market they are serving. This isn't some hatred for Sonos, just saying they aren't the best sounding speakers out there and I haven't read a professional review that contradicts that point.
When a pro is reviewing them, they are often comparing them to the market they serve at similar price points. No profession review that I have read is comparing a Sonos speaker to a Dynaudio Focus 30 (for example) even if they are both wireless speakers.
Well, one of those is actually reliable and can be counted on to get the job done…at 1/20th the price.You're comparing apples and oranges. Different markets. No one is going to argue that better sounding speakers exist, but you will pay a lot more and you will need to buy additional hardware beyond just the speakers. Most people aren't interested in, and frankly can't afford, the best of the best in any market. If you want to spend thousands and thousands of dollars to have an "audiophile" setup, by all means, knock yourself out. Most people don't care. They just want something that sounds good and works reliably. Sonos checks those boxes and arguably sounds as good, if not better, than its competitors. You can compare a Hyundai to a Ferrari too, but what's the point?
The problem With sonos is that its nearly impossible finding worse/harsher sounding speakers around sonos price range(s)…You're comparing apples and oranges. Different markets. No one is going to argue that better sounding speakers exist, but you will pay a lot more and you will need to buy additional hardware beyond just the speakers. Most people aren't interested in, and frankly can't afford, the best of the best in any market. If you want to spend thousands and thousands of dollars to have an "audiophile" setup, by all means, knock yourself out. Most people don't care. They just want something that sounds good and works reliably. Sonos checks those boxes and arguably sounds as good, if not better, than its competitors. You can compare a Hyundai to a Ferrari too, but what's the point?
Says you. I guess all the four and five star professional reviews are bogus but you, random internet person, know the truth! Lol.The problem With sonos is that its nearly impossible finding worse/harsher sounding speakers around sonos price range(s)…
The market for better sounding “wireless” speakers is starting to take off, so I agree with your main premise that companies are starting to see that more people want the convenience of “wireless” options.Lot of audiophiles in here who might need to reset the clock. Fact is standalone speakers with built-in amps like the HomePod are getting better all the time. It's also where probably most of the R&D is going to go now and in the future. The days of your bulky amp and your floor standing speakers might soon be just a waste of space. And I say that as a guy with a Denon receiver and a pair of Klipsch floorstanders. But I'm also excited to get my stereo pair of HomePods tomorrow. I want the new tech to succeed and deliver sound as good or better. Let's face it: it's a lot simpler and takes up less space and the compromise to audio quality is not nearly what it used to be.
I think what’s happening here is honestly that these companies have entered an audio space that maybe doesn’t technically reach the quality of levels of the traditional high end audio, but are darn closer at shockingly lower pricing than the current super high end market and enthusiasts are comfortable with. That culture is slowly being invaded by what they view as inferior but for everyone who’s a “normie” in their eyes is getting a significant step up with some handy additional features as well.The market for better sounding “wireless” speakers is starting to take off, so I agree with your main premise that companies are starting to see that more people want the convenience of “wireless” options.
That being said, I don’t see any sort of end to the receiver/amp setups coming any time soon, either. Those markets are still there for good reason. We could discuss those reasons, but would just drag this off into another unrelated discussion.
As I said, I use an OG HomePod (and a mini in my bedroom) every day and love the convenience, small footprint, sound for its size, and it’s 360 dispersion. No reset needed here.
Technically, many of the high quality speaker companies have figured out that they can build everything into the speaker like these small speakers aimed at the average user are doing. In some (maybe most) cases, these “wireless“ speakers can sound better than their non-wifi counterparts because the company can design the internal amp around the speaker and add room correction software into the mix.I think what’s happening here is honestly that these companies have entered an audio space that maybe doesn’t technically reach the quality of levels of the traditional high end audio, but are darn closer at shockingly lower pricing than the current super high end market and enthusiasts are comfortable with. That culture is slowly being invaded by what they view as inferior but for everyone who’s a “normie” in their eyes is getting a significant step up with some handy additional features as well.
Does that make sense?
Apple is not serious about home audio and never has been. Anyone looking to Apple for home audio isn't serious about home audio. A complete home audio solution requires a mix of products, from portable speakers to surround-sound configurations. Also, ETHERNET! I don't ever see Apple going there.
I find it strange that, for a company that revolutionized how we buy and listen to music, they have such crap audio offerings. They could have easily bested Sonos back in the day, yet for some reason they never took the plunge. If one's audio needs are modest and/or one is a diehard Apple fanboy, HomePod is surely "good enough". For everyone else, it's a bizarre dead-end product full of compromises.
I think it does target a specific market. It's a "me too" product aimed at their diehard fanboy audience who would buy poop on a stick if it came with an Apple logo. Anyone objective would not buy a HomePod. There are better speakers from a sound quality perspective. Amazon and Google offer vastly superior assistants. Sonos offers a complete home audio solution from single speakers to surround-sound. HomePod is inferior on every level, but it has an Apple logo!
There's a small percentage of Apple customers who basically want everything Apple. When the iPhone 14 was announced with Satellite SOS, these forums had plenty of people gushing about how they now felt safe on a backpacking trip or on remote stretches of highway, etc. The fact that Garmin, SPOT, etc. have offered more effective satellite emergency beacons for DECADES didn't matter to these fanboys. I remember reading one post where the author talked about how he was getting one for his wife in case her car broke down and all I could think was, if you really cared that much about your wife's safety, you would have bought a beacon a long time ago. No, the only thing he cares about is the Apple Logo. That guy is your market for the HomePod.
Temperature and humidity are gimmicks at best. 99.9% of prospective customer won't care. The fact that you're looking for "any excuse" to buy a HomePod tells me you already know you don't want one.
I think the why is pretty easy to see. All of the other big tech companies offer these speaker/spy devices. Apple wants to plant a flag in that market too.
I disagree, I think we’re starting to see the death of receiver / amp setups now. The wireless home theater market is closing the gap between simple soundbars and full fledged 5.1 or 7.1 dedicated setups.The market for better sounding “wireless” speakers is starting to take off, so I agree with your main premise that companies are starting to see that more people want the convenience of “wireless” options.
That being said, I don’t see any sort of end to the receiver/amp setups coming any time soon, either. Those markets are still there for good reason. We could discuss those reasons, but would just drag this off into another unrelated discussion.
As I said, I use an OG HomePod (and a mini in my bedroom) every day and love the convenience, small footprint, sound for its size, and it’s 360 dispersion. No reset needed here.
I read about the Sony setup and I think it is great for those that have setups that aren't too complicated (limited HDMI sources, for example). However, there are many enthusiasts in the home theater market. Take a look at AVS Forum or Audioholics if you think that market is coming to an end anytime soon. Even Sony continues to crank out new receivers. If the model you own was taking over the market, there would be no reason for them to continue in the "dead" receiver market. There is also data to back this up:I disagree, I think we’re starting to see the death of receiver / amp setups now. The wireless home theater market is closing the gap between simple soundbars and full fledged 5.1 or 7.1 dedicated setups.
I would probably go with the new ones for that price difference. I imagine they will get more support and be more reliable, plus I like the faster Siri speed on the minis (and the second gen big one should be even faster). I think I am going to wait until the new one goes on sale somewhere, though, since I doubt that will take too terribly long.I love our OG HomePod and want a pair but the question is do I buy two new second generation devices and move the OG HomePod to another room or do I get on eBay and grab a lightly used OG for around $220 including shipping? I can see Apple no longer putting out software updates for the OG HomePod soon if they ever put one out again after the most recent update and if that happens in the next year I’d rather just grab two new units that’ll be supported for years to come then to have just dropped $220 or so on a discontinued device that isn’t getting updates.
I’ve got 3 minis in the basement, two in a stereo pair in the back of the room and one by itself in the front of the room by the Apple TV we have down there but getting all 3 to play the same music is a PITA.
The only way I have found to do it is by using the Apple Music app then directing the audio through AirPlay via the stereo pair and the one one that is on its own down there.
Is there a better / faster way to get the stereo pair and the one off unit that’s down in the basement all playing the same thing? We’ve got 3 levels in our house with at least one mini at every level. It’s rare we’d want to play music on all of the HomePods in our home but it would be nice for a quick way to play music on all of the HomePods in a room as defined in the Home App without having to go into the Music app, setting AirPlay redirect and picking the stereo pair and one off basement unit every time.