Tim Cook Says HomePod Experience Will Blow People Away

[bopajuice]

Funny, you seem to have a "Negative reaction" to a lot of Apple products. And Throughout this thread you keep using the word "Hype" for various products. You know what the added benefit is to the word hype? You don't have to purchase the product. Hype is only what a user defines it as, not what someone exacerbates or abuses the term when it comes to a product they have their own opinion on. You're conflating two different things.

The Apple Watch was hyped, success on its own right. The AirPods were hyped, huge success on its own right. Perfect examples.

You are right. My reactions have been negative. It has more to do with disappointment. The product lines I use and enjoy are languishing. I was really hoping for a Mac mini or desktop replacement but instead they came come out with a new "speaker".

I invested a lot of time and money in the Apple eco system over the years. They sold things I could use and that fit my work and lifestyle needs. It seems in the last few years it's more about adjusting my needs and lifestyle to fit Apple. Not the other way around.

The prices keep going up, and they are slow to update. I'm Sitting on the fence.

 

[HiRez]

Come on you guys, comparing this speaker to a throwaway $50 Bluetooth speaker is ridiculous. Comparing it to a $20K giant speaker system with outboard amplifiers is also ridiculous. Comparing it to an Echo/Dot is ridiculous.

It's a different product than all of those. It will do some things better and some things worse, but it's different.

 

[symphara]

They are quite nice, and also exhibit a nod to the Nautilus. Extremely surprised also that they go down to 15Hz.
I just saw they were twenty two grand though so I’ll have to pass.

But if I had the room and money I’d probably go for the FH001.

Wow they are mad looking. My preference right now would be Wilson Benesch Cardinal. Perhaps in a few years!

For the time being I'm looking at a more modest upgrade next year, perhaps Dali Epicon 8s. I could stretch the budget a bit more but I have a lot of listening to do.

 

[dampfnudel]

You are right. My reactions have been negative. It has more to do with disappointment. The product lines I use and enjoy are languishing. I was really hoping for a Mac mini or desktop replacement but instead they came come out with a new "speaker".

I invested a lot of time and money in the Apple eco system over the years. They sold things I could use and that fit my work and lifestyle needs. It seems in the last few years it's more about adjusting my needs and lifestyle to fit Apple. Not the other way around.

The prices keep going up, and they are slow to update. I'm Sitting on the fence.

The new iMac is not a viable option?

 

[symphara]

Come on you guys, comparing this speaker to a throwaway $50 Bluetooth speaker is ridiculous. Comparing it to a $20K giant speaker system with outboard amplifiers is also ridiculous. Comparing it to an Echo/Dot is ridiculous.

It's a different product than all of those. It will do some things better and some things worse, but it's different.

You are right, but then a shill like Cook comes and brazenly says we'll be blown away by the audio reproduction of this little crappy speaker, he's banking on our ignorance, and thus he rightfully deserves ridicule.

My own audio setup is reasonably good, but I have heard truly high-end stuff. My father-in-law's best friend has Von Schweikert 11-SEs (look them up), and I listened to other esoteric speakers as well. So I don't want to hear about being blown away by some $300 product that cannot even do proper stereo sound.

What really annoys me is that Cook & Co can afford the best audio on the planet, easily, since they are billionaires from the money they cheat out of mugs who buy their overpriced products because they believed this overhyped, fake marketing.

 

[groovyf]

For 350 bucks and only allows you to stream from apple music. It better come with a paid life long subscription to apple music.

Also the design is uninspiring to say the least.

I'm pretty certain it's an AirPlay(2) speaker, so would support anything you throw at it app-wise (if the app supports AirPlay)

 

[k2k koos]

A really high quality audio experience? From a single speaker(box)? that's a contradictory in terms right there. All these soundbars, docking stations etc are great for space saving, musical wall paper, and enhanced sound for your TV, but nothing beats a quality stereo (or surround) set up with decent speakers. As I already have that, I don't need the 'great speaker' experience this thing provides.

I would rather have a cheaper option 'sans' quality speaker, but retaining all the other features.

 

[mkeeley]

I just want a good pair of speakers, not one speaker and a crappy assistant. But as it's Apple it will sell well regardless.

 

[duervo]

You are right, but then a shill like Cook ...

This word gets misused a little too often. Cook is paid by Apple, but he is not masquerading as a customer to try to fool the public, which is something that a shill does. Everyone knows he is the CEO.

 

[sunapple]

A really high quality audio experience? From a single speaker(box)? that's a contradictory in terms right there. All these soundbars, docking stations etc are great for space saving, musical wall paper, and enhanced sound for your TV, but nothing beats a quality stereo (or surround) set up with decent speakers. As I already have that, I don't need the 'great speaker' experience this thing provides.

I would rather have a cheaper option 'sans' quality speaker, but retaining all the other features.

Apple TV 4 with Siri remote is the closest you'll get I guess.

The HomePod is not really a replacement for any high-end equipement. The original iPod Hifi from 2006 (I had one) was also supposed to be your new high-end hifi solution, but that was just a big iPod speaker. Okay, it had actually great sound but real hifi? Doubt it.

Not every home has quality hifi as many people just use their TV speakers of small computer speakers. The HomePod could serve as a great new system for my desk, nice and without wires. Great for casual music listening (and also way more convenient than anything else), but not for watching movies I suppose. We'll have to wait on more details.
[doublepost=1496740729][/doublepost]

I just want a good pair of speakers, not one speaker and a crappy assistant. But as it's Apple it will sell well regardless.

Buy two and don't use Siri.

 

[Applebot1]

Thing is Tim stated last year a stand alone device isn't needed because you have your iPhone on you at all times.

 

[symphara]

This word gets misused a little too often. Cook is paid by Apple, but he is not masquerading as a customer to try to fool the public, which is something that a shill does. Everyone knows he is the CEO.

Point taken, but don't take it literally, just like we don't take "blown away" literally.

When Cook says "this thing we're selling will blow you away with its audio reproduction", while talking about his little $350 speaker - Cook being a billionaire who very likely has high-end audio reproduction equipment that will blow you away, and with virtual certainty, given the circles he frequents, is familiar with such audio equipment - I cannot fathom that he speaks from his point of view, but instead from an ignorant customer's point of view.

So there you go, a CEO behaving like a shill.

 

[mkeeley]

Thing is Tim stated last year a stand alone device isn't needed because you have your iPhone on you at all times.

Well they didn't have one then, now they do it's magical.
[doublepost=1496742208][/doublepost]

Apple TV 4 with Siri remote is the closest you'll get I guess.

The HomePod is not really a replacement for any high-end equipement. The original iPod Hifi from 2006 (I had one) was also supposed to be your new high-end hifi solution, but that was just a big iPod speaker. Okay, it had actually great sound but real hifi? Doubt it.

Not every home has quality hifi as many people just use their TV speakers of small computer speakers. The HomePod could serve as a great new system for my desk, nice and without wires. Great for casual music listening (and also way more convenient than anything else), but not for watching movies I suppose. We'll have to wait on more details.
[doublepost=1496740729][/doublepost]

Buy two and don't use Siri.

Much better ways of spending $700 on speakers.

 

[sunapple]

Much better ways of spending $700 on speakers.

It's definitely a waste if you're not going to use its full potential. Kinda also depends on the sound quality which nobody has had the chance to review yet.

Personally I use wired speakers of fairly high-end quality I'd say (Harman Kardon GLA55, which are essentially very expensive 2.0 computer speakers). They're fantastic, but I only really use them at low volumes with fairly low quality audio from my MacBook and I doubt there'll be much difference in quality that way. Maybe a huge lag when watching video, don't trust wireless audio that much...

 

[gnipgnop]

$349 is just ridiculous

The Apple Hi-Fi speaker was also $349, and it was essentially just a good quality shelf speaker with an iPod connector built-in. No SoC. No wireless. No Siri. No home hub capability. No audio beamforming. It wasn't really a technology platform like the HomePod.

 

[H2SO4]

Wow they are mad looking. My preference right now would be Wilson Benesch Cardinal. Perhaps in a few years!

For the time being I'm looking at a more modest upgrade next year, perhaps Dali Epicon 8s. I could stretch the budget a bit more but I have a lot of listening to do.

The Wilsons are really good looking, for a second they reminded me of the Infinity IRSV. Dali are nice too. It’s the wood veneer that makes it for me.

 

[sshambles]

Re: iPod HiFi, I think it's great for what it is, I use it daily for music. I have other Studio Monitors for vinyl records, but I like the iPod HiFi for everything digital. I'm looking forward to getting 2 HomePods for a stereo experience as it was demonstrated.

As far as the price, it's the same price as the iPod HiFi and everyone said BOSE was better at the time. Meh. I love the design more than anything, Apple do a great job in that regards. Worth every dollar just for that in my opinion, but I'm sure the sound is going to blow me away.

 

[gnipgnop]

So I don't want to hear about being blown away by some $300 product that cannot even do proper stereo sound.

What's "proper" stereo? All of the single unit speakers on the market produce stereo sound, HomePod included. These types of speakers are marketed at people that want to be able to move the product around easily. If you want a fixed soundstage with large equipment, then you can buy other products.

 

[ksz]

HomePod competes with Sonos as a speaker and Echo as a smart assistant. It's a hybrid of the two with a price between the two. I am glad Apple paid attention to sound quality first, even going so far as to use an A8 chip for automatic room equalization or correction, which is usually available only on dedicated AV receivers.

I have to hear it before passing judgement. Any pre-judgement based on price alone is just silly whining. If you prefer an Echo, buy an Echo. If you prefer a Sonos, buy a Sonos. Apple has just added another option for buyers.

 

[symphara]

What's "proper" stereo? All of the single unit speakers on the market produce stereo sound, HomePod included.

No they don't. They try. At best I could say they produce stereo sound like a soundbar produces surround sound, i.e. a relatively ineffective impression.

These types of speakers are marketed at people that want to be able to move the product around easily. If you want a fixed soundstage with large equipment, then you can buy other products.

Of course. Just don't market it as "mind blowing sound". That's not an overstatement but a brazen lie.

 

[honglong1976]

hope it's better than this:
https://everystevejobsvideo.com/ipod-hi-fi-introduction-apple-special-event-excerpt-2006/

 

[DEXTERITY]

Dumb question - but can anything (sirius, tunein) be played via the speaker or only apple music? I dont see specifics mentioned.

 

[gnipgnop]

No they don't. They try. At best I could say they produce stereo sound like a soundbar produces surround sound, i.e. a relatively ineffective impression.
----
Of course. Just don't market it as "mind blowing sound". That's not an overstatement but a brazen lie.

Did boomboxes produce stereo sound? Yes. So you don't need separate units with wide spacing to produce stereo. These types of products are essentially the evolution of the boombox. As for what Cook said, it was "mind blowing experience". He's talking about the total capability, not just the sound.

 

[symphara]

Did boomboxes produce stereo sound? Yes. So you don't need separate units with wide spacing to produce stereo. These types of products are essentially the evolution of the boombox. As for what Cook said, it was "mind blowing experience". He's talking about the total capability, not just the sound.

I really think that you do need separate units with wide spacing (depending on listening position) to produce stereo. At least according to what I understand by stereo, which is the creation of a sound stage which tries to accurately reproduce the recorded performance.

If I take my big speakers and put them side by side, but otherwise keep them properly L-R connected, I don't get stereo sound. I'm afraid that proper speaker placement is required, and you cannot do it with only one speaker either, not even if it fires sound in all directions.

Reflected sound is a poor compromise. It doesn't really work, not even when you have dedicated speakers for the reflected sound. I know, when I was looking to install Atmos in my HT I didn't want to redo the ceiling, so I looked at the most expensive options out there, like the Kef addons. They don't work. You hear more sound coming from them, than the reflection. The only way to get proper Atmos is to have speakers up there.

Yes you can get some vague impression of stereo or surround or whatever, but it's far from the real thing. It only sounds convincing if you haven't experienced the real thing.

The "experience" of this new speaker product from Apple can be "mind blowing" only if your expectations are extremely low, or if you're extraordinarily ignorant when it comes to sound reproduction. A lot of people are, that's true, they just want some gizmo making sounds, but Cook himself, the billionaire, knows what hi-fi means and it's a shameless lie to declare this little speaker as providing a "mind blowing experience".

 

[MrGimper]

I'll stick to my 4x Sonos Play 1's. Especially as I got them for £139 each with a £30 iTunes card with each one