The first reviews of Apple's second-generation HomePod are here and give a first insight into sound quality, performance, changes to Siri and more.
Reviews describe the new HomePod as a successful "revision" that is ultimately "much better than the first." Below is a rundown of the HomePod reviews published today.
Billy Steele writes for Engadgetthat the HomePod's sound quality is still impressive, even though the new model has fewer tweeters than the first generation. However, he notes that "Apple's choice of tuning won't satisfy everyone."
Audio quality wasn't an issue with the first-generation HomePod, and it's excellent here too. But as with the first version, the tuning Apple chose won't please everyone. The emphasis is still on voice, which means things like singing in music or dialogue in a TV show or movie are given prominence. Sometimes that's good, but for certain genres and content, it results in a substandard experience. Don't get me wrong, the HomePod sounds excellent in most cases, especially when you compare it to other smart speakers. The fact is, many of those speakers don't sound good at all. So Apple continues its success story by making a device with good audio quality and smart features.
The sound quality is very commendable
Brian Heater from TechCrunch also praises the sound quality and points out a nice design change:
The speaker's cylindrical shape tapers slowly up and down. Underneath is a silicone pad that provides some friction but still allows the system to be positioned correctly (a change from the convex base of the 2018 model). An internal suspension system connected to the woofer ensures that the speaker outputs loud and deep bass without intentionally moving the rest of the speaker. On top is the touch-sensitive display - the most striking element of the HomePod design language. The illuminated touch surface has been enlarged by six times. This means that the glossy touch display and the lighting system underneath actually extend to the edge.
The Verge agrees: Chris Welch and Jennifer Pattison Tuohy claimthat the HomePod 2 "remains sonically faithful to the original HomePod." Apparently there are some "subtle differences in music playback," both good and bad:
How does it sound? After listening to the new HomePod for several days (both on its own and in a stereo pair), I still think its sound is true to that of the original HomePod. If you were a fan of that speaker, you'll be happy with the second generation as well. Of course, you can hear subtle differences in music playback when comparing the two generations on the same track. The newer HomePod might play a guitar solo with a little more force than the original. But the core characteristics are the same. Apple's real-time tuning focuses on crystal-clear vocals and tries to create a rich, full balance by analyzing its environment and bouncing sound off nearby walls. It usually succeeds, and since the sound is fired all around, you don't have to worry about being in a sweet spot to get the best listening experience.
Nicole Nguyen of the Wall Street Journal writesthat the new smart home features on the second-generation HomePod offer a level of “future-proofing” that we didn’t really have with the first generation.
The new speaker also features some forward-looking technology that could be important in the future. It supports Matter, the smart home standard supported by Apple, Google, Amazon, and others. It can also serve as a hub for Thread, a networking technology that allows newer smart devices to communicate even without internet access. The combination of Matter and Thread promises easier setup and more reliable connectivity.
HomePod 2: The best experience comes with a stereo pair
(The original HomePod supports Matter but not Thread. The HomePod Mini and Apple TV 4K support Matter and can also be used as a Thread hub.)
As with the original HomePod, the best experience is when you connect two of them together as a stereo pair. As The Verge explained:
Even at $299, a single HomePod can only do so much. Connecting two HomePods into a stereo pair can make the most of Apple Music's lossless streaming library. Plus, the spatial sound experience in this scenario is better and more convincing than with headphones and earbuds, which are just a gimmick. Having two HomePods project a virtual sound field into the room can make some spatial tracks seem more atmospheric, although poorly mixed Atmos tracks still sound worse than in stereo.
Prices and availability
The new HomePod has a starting price of 350 euros, improved smart home functions, temperature and humidity sensors and more. The smart speaker can now be pre-ordered from Apple in white and midnight. Delivery will start on Friday, February 3rd. (Image: Apple)
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