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HomePod Opinion: Is it to late to buy HomePod, should I wait for HomePod 2?

C

CosmicRichy

macrumors member
Original poster
Jul 14, 2015
52
33
Australia
Just wanted some opinions regarding this.

I’ve held out buying HomePod for far to long I think. I’ve always wanted a smart speaker and there’s no way I’m putting the Google Assitant or Alexa in my home.

My dream setup is to have two paired with my Apple TV.

I always have this crappy luck with investing in a generation to late and the next one either gets announced or released shortly after.

What would you honestly do?
 
HomePod 2 won't be coming out for a while since HomePod only came out last year.
 
F23 said:
HomePod 2 won't be coming out for a while since HomePod only came out last year.
Click to expand...

You have absolutely no way of knowing this.

To the original poster: there is no way to know when Apple will update this product. You might be waiting 6-9 months or you might be waiting over a year. This is the dilemma with hardware without a known refresh cycle. I’d buy now.
 
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CosmicRichy said:
Just wanted some opinions regarding this.

I’ve held out buying HomePod for far to long I think. I’ve always wanted a smart speaker and there’s no way I’m putting the Google Assitant or Alexa in my home.

My dream setup is to have two paired with my Apple TV.

I always have this crappy luck with investing in a generation to late and the next one either gets announced or released shortly after.

What would you honestly do?
Click to expand...
Pick up now. When the 2nd version comes out, there still be something missing and others saying wait til version 3. Basically, if you want it then buy two otherwise you be always stalling with ‘what if?’.
 
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Well there is only one available. No indication of what the update would be, and frankly the "smart" portion is handled via software, and isn't super good on any device at the present. Speakers don't change much over the years, 40yo speakers sound amazing if they were of high quality to begin with. I can't see a downside. Upgrading your visual tech is much more fun if you are a "i gotta have it" person (which I am) then speakers, but hell I might dump mine and get the new ones if I am wowed, but I highly doubt I will be.

I have 4 of them (Got carried away when Best Buy had them for $250) and one set is stereo paired. I tried them with the TV and disconnected my sounder, they sounded nice, but were not a replacement for my sounder and sub. Consider your space, they will work with your TV, there is conversation by those in the know that you should space them apart a certain distance to get the best "sound stage" or something like that. I have mine about 15ft apart and they sound amazing!
 
HomePod was released with hardware that would last it quite some time. Contrary to rumors - I don't think Apple is releasing a mini anytime soon. HomePod is a wonderful gadget if you're deeply invested in the ecosystem (Apple TV, Apple Music, Multiple devices etc).
Along with the AirPods, it's one of my favorite Apple products I've recently bought.
That being said, it is not everybody's cup of tea. If you expect it to do things it can't (aux hookup, direct Bluetooth streaming etc.) then you're better off going to a Sonos/Bose type speaker.
 
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Personally, I'd be worried about Apple taking technology away from the HomePod, not adding to it. They could easily see where more 'dots' and 'pucks' are sold/given away by one company than all designer speakers put together. That is a contrived example, but if people aren't willing to pony up for high sound quality, there is little reason to keep the SKU around. HomePod2 could be a stripped down HomePod1 at half the cost. It that's what you want, then you might be pleased if that comes to pass. Otherwise, the HomePod1 might be the unit that is desired once it is discontinued and the lesser HomePod2 is what is on the shelf.

Tl/dr; buy for what fits your needs today, no one knows what tomorrow will offer.
 
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I'd get Sonos if it were me.

CosmicRichy said:
Just wanted some opinions regarding this.

I’ve held out buying HomePod for far to long I think. I’ve always wanted a smart speaker and there’s no way I’m putting the Google Assitant or Alexa in my home.

My dream setup is to have two paired with my Apple TV.

I always have this crappy luck with investing in a generation to late and the next one either gets announced or released shortly after.

What would you honestly do?
Click to expand...
 
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I wouldn’t buy as I need battery power, Bluetooth, NFC and next-gen router incorporation for the big fat models. HomePod today is not a suitable design for me, and I expect these things to come starting with the next one.
 
robjulo said:
I'd get Sonos if it were me.
Click to expand...

lsutigerfan1976 said:
If i had to do it again. This is what i would do. If it weren’t for the fact that i would take a big loss on the speakers. I would have gotten rid of the homepods i have now.
Click to expand...

What these guys said. My HomePod is sitting on the sideline unplugged. I also wouldn’t get a HomePod if you have multiple iOS users in your house.

I wouldn’t necessarily wait for a second gen but rather software updates to make it more user friendly.
 
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I love my 2. Don't wait. I bought them for the sound. I don't have Apple Music services. I got mine super cheap on ebay. I thought it couldn't be real, but it was. Seller had 12 of them. 2 in stereo is a lot better than 1.
 
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My opinion is we won't see a HomePod 2 anytime soon. This doesn't appear to be the type of product that needs hardware revisions that often. Don't pay full price if you do purchase. Sales are happening more frequently. If you want to buy it right now, Target has them for $299. Otherwise, I'd wait until it reaches the previous sale price of $249. It may drop that low again for a Fathers Day type promo.
 
I didn't have great experience with the HomePod. I returned the one I bought. I ended up picking up a few amazon echo pluses in it's place until HomePod 2 comes out. Apple needs to strengthen Siri before I buy in. And fix the equalizer as well. Too "bassy" for me.
 
CosmicRichy said:
Just wanted some opinions regarding this.

I’ve held out buying HomePod for far to long I think. I’ve always wanted a smart speaker and there’s no way I’m putting the Google Assitant or Alexa in my home.

My dream setup is to have two paired with my Apple TV.

I always have this crappy luck with investing in a generation to late and the next one either gets announced or released shortly after.

What would you honestly do?
Click to expand...

Buy now, it’s my favourite device purchased last year over my iPhone XS Max or new Apple Watch 4. I like it far more than I expected.
 
Thirding for Sonos. I had a Play:1 and Play:3 before the HomePod was announced, and afterward picked up two Ones. I've been really happy with my set up.

CosmicRichy said:
I’ve always wanted a smart speaker . . .

My dream setup is to have two paired with my Apple TV.
Click to expand...

What about the "smarts" appeals most to you? I think that's what to look at.

From what I read, HomePod compared favorably with the new Sonos One, which I'm pretty sure you can buy two of for about the same price as one HomePod. The Ones have AirPlay, and you can use them with a couple of "smart" assistants -- though I can't speak to that, because I haven't done that, as I don't feel like I need any smarts.

For TV, I have a sounder, and am hoping to go for a Sonos Playbar or Beam down the line. But I wouldn't use the HomePod for that, as I feel like Apple designed HomePod specifically for music listening.
 
SerenaC said:
I love mine, I have a stereo pair and they play ALL day. Love that I can just say which album or playlist I want to listen to.
They're also connected to my ATV, much better sound than the tv itself.
Click to expand...

This sums up my usage. The only time I’m not using them is when I have to AirPlay video.  really needs to figure that out. Just because I’m AirPlaying video doesn’t mean I want to use my crappy tv speakers. I’m not too upset though because AirPlaying from the tv to the HomePod(s) is still in beta.
 
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I love mine as well got two linked up in stereo and they sound great. I have had a lot of audio stuff over many years and always been disappointed with the sound some a lot more expensive than two Homepods!

But now I am finally satisfied I have Apple Music as well its a great combination.

Sat here listening to my Sunday morning Chill MIx as I type,

Bliss!

Also it does all I want as a smart speaker works great with my Hue lights, answers every question I throw at it and does all I want with reminders and calendar stuff.
 
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