Thought I read on 9to5 that the HomePod is pretty close to the Play:5 for sound quality. Please let us know.
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HomePod Questionable sound quality for Homepod
- Thread starter cal321
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Thought I read on 9to5 that the HomePod is pretty close to the Play:5 for sound quality. Please let us know.
I listened to Sonos Play 1, not bad for the price but I returned it. I know the HomePod is more expensive but I am now even more confident it will blow the Play 1 away. Read this:
https://www.reddit.com/r/audiophile/comments/7t51a2/nda_is_up_what_can_i_tell_you_guys_about_the/
https://www.reddit.com/r/audiophile/comments/7t51a2/nda_is_up_what_can_i_tell_you_guys_about_the/
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I’ll be testing the HomePod with an Apple TV that I use in a home cinema/projector setup later today, so I might report back on my experience watching movies and the like.
Mine arrived yesterday, and I've used it for several hours, whilst switching on occasions back to my Sonos Play 1. I'd definitely agree with the reviews in that it sounds better than the Sonos, but I haven't personally found the difference as great as some have made out - especially when listening at lower volumes. The Verge described it as one of the best speaker setups (non smart included) under $1,000 (which is absurd) - my £200 Dali Zensor 1 bookshelf speakers are significantly better. Yes, there's a little more bass, but play something like 'James Blake - Limit to your love' and the bass will sound marginally better than the Sonos, but nowhere near the quality of full sized speakers. I don't really know why I'm surprised by this though with such a small device!
I'm probably going to return, and switch from Apple Music to Spotify, and get a Sonos One. There are too many irritations (no tunein radio alarms, multiple timers, unhelpful Siri) to justify the slight improvement on sound quality. I haven't found the call handoff feature particularly impressive either, although this may well improve.
I'm probably going to return, and switch from Apple Music to Spotify, and get a Sonos One. There are too many irritations (no tunein radio alarms, multiple timers, unhelpful Siri) to justify the slight improvement on sound quality. I haven't found the call handoff feature particularly impressive either, although this may well improve.
I also think people are missing another important factor, the source. I don't know how AirPlay compares to Bluetooth and the amount of compression that Bluetooth streaming has, but the source of the file is another thing. My iTunes library is filled with some iTunes purchases, but mostly CD imports (using AIFF for full CD quality) and some purchases from HD Tracks. Some of those files are such a high but rate, iTunes won't even sync them to my iPhone.
As nice as a HomePod is, it never will compete with a dedicated well-built stereo system. My Ohm C2, Boston Acoustics speakers, and other speakers along with my various different amps are all MUCH better than any Sonos, Amazon, or HomePod. Of course the tradeoff is size and looks. My mom hates my stereo equipment due to looks and space.
As nice as a HomePod is, it never will compete with a dedicated well-built stereo system. My Ohm C2, Boston Acoustics speakers, and other speakers along with my various different amps are all MUCH better than any Sonos, Amazon, or HomePod. Of course the tradeoff is size and looks. My mom hates my stereo equipment due to looks and space.
Without question you are right. But these types of speakers are designed for the vast, vast majority of people who just want to have a good looking, small device, they can simply plug into a wall and put on a table or nightstand and enjoy very good sound. Will it be a the same as a dedicated stereo setup connected to a good amp and music source? No, but people don't even want to deal with "theater in a box" anymore. Watch as dedicated 5.1 and 7.1 systems fall to "sound bars" and now "smart speakers".
I have two 7.1 systems in my house but the idea of simply spending a couple grand and putting several of these homepods around in room after room and getting great sound is very appealing. I have done this to an extent for nearly a decade with Sonos but the control via app is a barrier that means we use it less and guests don't use it at all. Sonos One is nice but I'm all in with Apple and Apple Music.
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I am a HomePod owner and totally agree, this is the best and most honest review i have seen yet, should help a lot of people decide whether it is for them or not.
I listened to the HomePod today and it's a fantastic sounding speaker. Music sound harmonious with vocals and instruments projected clearly. However it doesn't mean other speakers are junk.
The HomePod is expensive and sounds accordingly. Amazon Echo and Sonos One are cheaper and perform accordingly. It won't be long before Bose and Sonos respond with a direct competitor to the HP.
If I was to nitpick the HP is a bit bass heavy.
The HomePod is expensive and sounds accordingly. Amazon Echo and Sonos One are cheaper and perform accordingly. It won't be long before Bose and Sonos respond with a direct competitor to the HP.
If I was to nitpick the HP is a bit bass heavy.
so not that honest
There is no way a Soundbar or a wireless speaker could complete with a decent dedicated 7.1 system. I have a quality Yamaha Soundbar system with subwoofer, and it sounds fine for gaming and movies in a spare room, but cannot compete with my dedicated home theater set up. The Soundbar has impressive sound that still surprises me, and would be acceptable to some people, but not the same. Not even close.
Let alone considering replacing a home theater set up with a set of wireless speakers or Homepods. Might sound OK, but nowhere near the quality of a decent dedicated 7.1 system.
I am not convinced 5.1 and 7.1 systems will be replaced. Maybe used as alternatives by some people, or maybe those living in apartment buildings where neighbors would be an issue. But replaced or eventually phased out? No way.
To me the HomePod serves as an alternative not a replacement. It's practical. I can place it in the garage when I wash my car. Not practical to drag my 7.1 system into the garage. Not it's intended use.
As far as critical listening? Not a replacement. Anyone who has spent time with a decent home system, would understand, it's not a snobbery thing. It's just after your ears get used to quality sound, you notice differences. I am sure the HomePod sounds great. I really enjoy my Sonos. For it's intended use...
There isn't any denying the sound is great for the size of the speaker. However, those publications also gave the Sonos One 5 star reviews, and although I'd say the HomePod has slightly better sound quality - neither are anywhere near what you'd get with a full audio setup. If you really care about audio quality, this isn't likely to be your primary speaker setup, so then its a question of whether you're willing to trade off all the open/Alexa features of a Sonos One for marginally better sound quality - for me, in the current generation, it's probably not.
The HomePod is way more money than the Alexa or Google but is being compared to those..
Interestingly, in this blind test, no one actually ranked the HomePod as their favourite (Sonos One & Google Max were preferred): https://finance.yahoo.com/news/head-head-apple-homepod-really-sound-best-160346138.html
they don't make it anymore. I've had it for about five years.
https://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio_visual/sound_bar/ysp-2200/index.html
Wicked. I have the YSP-2500 it make movies sound utterly epic. Initially I was set on buying a Q Acoustics Media 4 but an unexpected demo of the Yamaha convinced me otherwise. Understandably, if I spent a decent chuck on a dedicated 7.1 system my brain would be blown to bit.
It will be interesting to find out how the HomePod will perform in stereo mode when watching movies. C
Could it use software and the A8 processor to act like a virtual 5.1 system? The drivers pointing towards the centre could act like the centre channel while the ones pointing diagonally backwards could bounce sound off walls to act like rear speakers. Its technology isn't too dissimilar to my "Sound projector" which has 16 small drivers.
Let me know how it works. Question. Would you use it to supplement your computer or TV? Where would you place the speaker if you use it for movies? One on each side?
As far as 7.1, I accumulated my equipment over time and move things around and try different components every now and then. It's always a work in progress.