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Canyonero

macrumors regular
Original poster
Apr 2, 2012
128
305
I have two stereo pairs of 1st gen HomePod and while they work mostly fine, the age of chip is starting to show. When selecting either stereo pair or especially both stereo pairs as the audio source on my iPhone or Mac, it takes a good 10 secs before the audio starts playing on the devices. Anyone here upgraded from 1st gen HomePods to 2nd gen and has noticed any speed improvements? I understand the audio quality is more or less the same so trying to look for some reason to upgrade and started to think if I plan on using my HomePods for another five years how slow they will be then.
 
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I know exactly what you mean about delay in starting audio on Gen 1 vs Mini. I’ve not done directly the replacement you’re asking about.

But I have replaced Gen 1 HomePods used as Home Theater audio for AppleTV with Gen 2. I wasn’t expecting much change, but it’s made it much faster for my TV to turn on or switch modes to AppleTV, which now I’m thinking was being delayed in part by the audio routing taking a bit longer with Gen 1.
 
The speed of my stereo homepod (original) is abyssmal. It takes 20 seconds for volume control, and at least 10 seconds for all other trivial stuff. I reset them, repaired them, first is ok, after a few hours they behave like my 80 year old grandfather
 
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I have a pair of 1st gens in my living room and a pair of 2nd gens in my gym. Haven’t noticed any speed improvements in the new HomePods. However, the failure rate with verbal commands is higher on the original HomePods.
 
If someone is wondering, I did upgrade and can report that the speed at which music transfers over to my new stereo pair of 2nd gen HomePods is vastly better. Like 1 sec vs. 6-8 sec on 1st gen.
 
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I don't have this issue, respond time is almost instantaneous on my 1st gen pair (I used them with apple tv).
Same with the minis I have, I will try a 2nd gen in the future.
 
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