HomePod Speed of HomePod 2nd gen vs HomePod 1st gen

[Canyonero]

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.

 

[knux11]

I dont think its the "age of chip". I have OG homepod and i dont have any delay compared to my minis.

 

[gildorn]

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.

 

[mszilard]

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

 

[perezr10]

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.