Hey everyone! Thanks for watching. Hard to rate this speaker given such a specific use case. Also, couple of clarifications: Sorry if I didn’t make this clean in the video, but any TV audio can be routed through an Apple TV to the HomePods via ARC or eARC. TV streaming apps, game console, cable box, Blu-ray player, you name it. Virtually no latency - not enough to notice, I still have to measure. Also, still testing volume control using various TVs, will update soon.
I was about to ask! Thank you for the clarification. One question though ... If I connect my LG 4K blue-ray player through eARC cable to apple tv (and therefore with the new homepods) will I get dolby Atmos from a dolby Atmos (ofcourse) blue-ray movie? There is no need for any amplifier or other equipment?
That may be good for a childs bedroom, but the HomePod Mini is only an 'OK' speaker. Frankly I find it less workable too, as if the softward isn't as good in the Mini, even though it may well be identical to the big Homepod. Having had the HP Original set up for TB I know what I would be missing if I used the Min. Like Dolby Atmost, some of the bass, maybe even other things you get on the big HomePod. But it's a used case issue. Kids bedroom would be find for a Mini. Main TV in the living room or theatre room, the big ones are so much better.
You can have two HomePod Mini’s and create a surround sound. I can’t confirm yet but I’d believe your be able to get SS 5.1 from the Apple TV 4K. But it can’t do Atmos because it can’t determine where it is like the bigger HomePods can. And I highly doubt Apple will add that into the cheaper HomePod Mini next gen (whatever they call them).
I have a pair of HomePods for my tv and love them. They work flawlessly with an Apple TV 4K and never lose connection. I’m no audiophile but I love watching movies and tv with my HomePods. I use to have a sound bar but the HomePods out perform it by a wide margin.
@@DefiedFaith They work with other devices as long you have an Apple TV 4k 2nd gen and up and an HDMI ARC port on your tv. Plug in the Apple TV into that ARC port on your TV and go into settings to enable the function.
It is an entry level home audio speaker with Smart capability. That’s nice that most people are fine with sound that is “good enough” the HomePod Mini is available for them. The mini sounds OK, I have one and seldom use it, the Home Pods get used all day almost everyday. The new and OG HomePods are for people that want room filling sound without paying thousands. This fits the price point of Sony and Sonos speakers.
yes. Just about sums it up. Got 2 of them on the release date at the Apple Store. Never looked back. Movies, 🎥music 🎵and using Siri for alarms and other things is amazing.
I literally searched for a video like this 20 minutes after it was posted. Perfect timing and saved me from continuing down the rabbit hole of sound bars!
It would be so great if they could release a software update that allows you to make it in a surround sound system! It would be interesting to have 5 or 9 HomePods all around!
I agree with this. I got two for the purpose of actually downsizing my equipment footprint for a move and I’m very pleased. As mentioned the deep bass of a subwoofer can be missed, but not by much. I also noted that the ATV will play the audio out to the pair as well as over the HDMI at the same time, so you COULD have a sub connected to your amp as well.
Theoretically, if Apple enabled up to 4 HomePods to be connected in the future and really went for it to create a true spatial audio room sound, do you think this could rival or even surpass the sound quality generated from the Sony HT-A9 system? While watching this video I kept thinking of the similarities here!
Thanks! I love my HomePod (1st Gen) pair for excellent stereo sound. And now I ordered a pair of (2nd Gen) HomePods to listen as is or use together to make a ‘quad stereo sound’ with Apple Music. Hope it works. Will let you know.
@@fkknight1 hi, thanks for your response. My thinking was having two separate pairs of HomePods (stereo pair of Gen 1 & a stereo pair of Gen 2 speakers) which can play separately Apple Music through them. But…. next Monday 2/6/23 when I receive my Gen 2 HomePod speaker pair, I’m going to set up across the room from my Gen 1 HomePod speaker pair, and stream Apple Music through both pairs at same time, which will work (called Apple about this and they said yes 👍), and it should fill the room up with ‘a quad sound’, not true surround, but a fake surround sound. I will update next week to reveal how well this sounds.
I received and hooked up my new HomePod (2nd Gen) pair and once dialed in with the Apple stereo pairing, they sounded great 👍 Then while they played Apple Music, I added my HomePod (1st Gen) stereo pair to also play and yes!! the sound was perfect with all four playing around me. I’m happy it turned out as I had hoped. Each stereo pair volume can be adjusted from the app or on top of each paired HomePod.
I purchased these as a pair and they sound phenomenal for a something so tiny. The arc feature is a game changer with the HomePods being able to play everything through them. Apple need to make a sound bar or allow multiple HomePods to be paired for this to be a complete system.
I felt that price relative to performance the HomePod Mini was a way more impressive product. I didn’t know about how to use ARC until recently but now that I do that does change things a little. The next issue is the size and form factor. It’s hard to place them cleanly with a 65” screen. That’s a LOT of space between the speakers and they’re so tall they can’t sit in front without blocking the screen (even on “sound bar,” configuration).
Love mine as a pair. One side note with “one” more piece of Apple hardware, an old AirPort Express, you can add a powered subwoofer to the mix and now, altogether it’s amazing.
After just watching MKBHD & Dave2D reviews, your review is the only one that actually talks about sound quality experience in a proper way. MKBHD I usually love, but his review wasn’t good at all. Dave2D at least tried to do a frequency response and touched on stereo pair, but the review felt rushed and didn’t really have them setup in a good way.
YOU LITERALLY ANSWERED EVERYTHING I WAS THINKING! Ever since the announcement I was questioning getting 2 of these vs the Vizio ATMOS sound bar for the living room
@@georgekaradimos5596 yeah, the M-Series elevate but I settled for the HomePods. I wanted the sound bar months ago but they were always sold out. So availability coupled with this review made me get the HomePods.
Thank You ! The best review I have listened to so far and there have been a few. I do not understand why Apple has limited the HomePod2 to a “stereo pair”. Why not at least 4 HomePod2 ? Hopefully one could have the sound coming from all around you. I have a pair of the original HomePods on one TV and a SONOS Arc system on another. Most of the time we are happy with the HomePods. The SONOS Arc, sub-woofer and surrounds are clearly better but cost considerably more. They are in a room setup for movie watching but often just easier to stay in the one room. The HomePods take up limited space for everyday use . Totally agree with your comment buy two not one.😊
I have an older Sonos playbar that drops connection every so often, but I also have sonos sub with it. How would just a playbar with sonos sub compare to the dual HomePods? I am about to have to purchase another playbar/arc from sonos, since i have invested in the subwoofers as well. Any comments on if the HomePods together would be better than an ARC and a full size Sonos Sub? Thanks for your help.
@@tonkem Hi Tonkem : I have done no scientific testing. I did try the SONOS Arc alone and was impressed by its capability. From my ears perspective it sounds better than two HomePods. It is a much bigger piece of equipment and has more speakers so not surprising. It also costs considerably more! I upgraded the SONOS Arc with a Sub to enhance the base response and added two SL Ones as rear speakers. I considered buying two SONOS Play 5 Generation 2 as side speakers but was put off by the cost. I was trying to get better surround sound. SONOS is rumored to be developing a replacement for the SONOS SL including an upfiring ATMOS speaker. Perhaps they will do this for the side channels as well. The dealer recommended I buy a second Sub as one tends to notice the “bangs in movies” seem to come from the same place. The extension of the original ARC has improved the surround sound but at a considerable cost and mor kit in the room. My pair of HomePods are not as good but are remarkably good for the price I paid. I just wish Apple would allow 4+ HomePods 2 to be connected together for truly immersive sound. Personally I prefer my two HomePods to my two SONOS SL’s. Suspect the price difference is not significant. Annoying when people expect the HomePod Mini to be as good as the HomePod 2. I understand that most people have budget limitations. I think a pair of HomePod 2’s is better than buying one and is a great alternative to a Soundbar.
You’ve opened my eyes to something I’ve never thought of, I’ve had my LG C8 for years and have just recently been thinking of a sound bar when I upgrade to an LG C2, although I don’t have an Apple TV 4K, I’m pretty invested in the Apple ecosystem so this would be really great
There are plenty of options. For a real cinematic experience I would certainly opt for a Sonos setup - one can start with two ONE gen2 devices and later extend the system to sound bar + subwoofer + two rear speakers (= ONE loudspeakers) - all wirelessly (incl. the connection to a Apple TV box). It's nice that Apple supports Dolby Atmos but don't hold your breath - it's still a stereo setup with some surround capability. The competition also supports Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple Airplay, Spotify, Tidal etc. - I am in an Apple-oriented home but I still want some flexibility.
Hi Digital Trends, I have been watching you very recently, we’ll since 2019, and because of your awesome reviews I bought my first Oled Tv back in 2020 (LG CX) and absolutely love it. I have also purchased the same TV stand (the BDI Corridor 8179) and I absolutely love it as well, to be honest it’s my favorite piece of It all. Finally I have had 2 HomePods (2018) for the past two years, and I just sold them a week ago when I heard the new ones got announced and have them preordered for pick up this Thursday. So as I watch this review I realized we have the exact same living room tv set up, (I just copied you lol) and since you finally tested the stereo paired Homepods you can now enjoy them as daily drivers too. Great minds think alike I guess ;), but seriously thank you for your reviews, my favorite honest reviewer out there with great taste. Keep ‘em coming! The 🐐.
Great video I was going to get the complete soundbar package but I’m now going to get two of these v2 HomePods to go with the Apple 4K TV. It would be great if a future software update would allow you to add HomePod minis into the mix having two of those behind you would give it another dimension again.
I have been using a pair of HomePod 1 in the bedroom as my sound system for tv and music. Yes I do have Apple TV 4K so I can enjoy the spacial audio and Atmos. I got them used and they have been great for me.
Uh ohhhhh! Someone finally hit a million! Sorry, been sick & out of touch. Congratulations! - edit: About that $599 price range. You’re my gen so you’ll understand: back in 1993 a Denon 2 channel receiver started at $199, a 5 disc changer another $199 and a pair of Klipsch bookshelf speakers also started at $199. You could also run your stereo tv through your system for the price of add on cables. The point is, that $599 hasn’t moved that much in 30 years considering what you’re getting.
I have a pair of the old HomePods for my entertainment room and can 100% agree with everything said here. I can add only one thing. They have ARC support which is super useful when switching from the Apple TV to my cable box where I can use the HomePods as well..
@@SaifDia No audio delay when the ARC functionality is enabled. The only thing that is not perfect for me is when you have your cable/console on and you want to change the audio level you should use the Apple TV remote. By default this functionality is off. You should enable it in the Apple TV settings first to work.
@@peterlazarov4875 thank you! I know it was an issue on the minis which is why I refrained from buying them for my desktop setup. That’s weird; with eARC and the regular tv remote volume should work. This will definitely be an issue if my parents visit hahaha
Viewing in this way as a soundbar replacement make it senses to buy it. I just think if it priced for 250 would sell a lot more. And they could make it the profit difference by selling numbers. Also made the Siri more ubiquitous.
I have been 2 of the original full size HomePods with my Apple TV for years. Magical! I was using Bluetooth sound bars before as we use a projector and a blank wall for our TV. All the AV equipment(DVD,Laserdisc,HDDVD players) are by the projector and wiring speakers was a no go. The problem with Bluetooth is that is drops out now and then and has to be re-paired. There were times we had to move the sound bar to repair it. With Wifi and HomePods, problem gone. Having our Apple TV control everything is great. One volume control. With eARC the DVD automatically plays and then goes back to the Apple TV screen. Simple.
finding this video in August 2024.I just got hold of a homepod original in mint condition for like $82 (ZAR 1,500). This review makes me want to get 2 homepod 2's now. Thank you for such a thoughtful review. Subscribed.
I bought the Hisense U5120GW+ for $499 to try in my living room (I have a dedicated home theater already), and I was blown away by the sound that came out of it. These are a hard sell for the same price, and I know that these are impressive for what they are, but the Hisense performance per dollar is outstanding! And I have a $20k Home Theater already to compare.
I use 2 of these as my home cinema speakers. They are really, really good! The cost is comperable to a fairly good soundbar, so anybody in the market for a home cinema set up can realistically consider the HomePods. 100% recommended from me. I think the original's failure was down to a couple of points. First, a large % of people don't care about sound quality. They are just as happy with the HomePod Mini, which sounds nowhere as good as the big Homepod, but a lot of people really don't care, hence the HomePod Mini exists to fulfill that need. Equally, smart speakers on the whole are not especially smart. I was disappointed when I couldn't used my HomePod as the speaker for my Mac. I thought this was a major oversight. That was why I bought it, realised it would not work with my Mac, so decided to buy 2 and do the home theatre set up. It really does blow me away. Dolby Atmost is incredible, but even for shows without Atmos the sound quality is really good and it will still make your room start to buzz when you get a decent bass note. I've actually had to consider my neighbours on this point. I'm surprised Apple are not marketing this set up as a home cinema alternative to soundbards or 5.1 systems. The whole Apple TB & HomePods set up is incredible, and that's not even what I bought it for. As for my Mac, I just bought a pair of Creative Pebbles and that serves that need entierly. I do 'office work' so aside from killing time with UA-cam I don't need anything more that that. So a shout out to the Creative Pebble for being completely awesome too, and very affordable! Until I set up the HomePods I had never had a home cinema set up, so it's a huge upgrade and I don't feel the need to upgrade further to a more expenseive product. I'm really happy with this set up.
I just set up my new Homepod pair and connected to my 65" LG C2... WoW! I watched Intersellar and the "low bass" is insanely good. They vibrated the footrest and coffee table in front of my couch. No way should you "buy just one". Buy the pair and figure out how to pay for the extra later. BTW- My Sonos Play 5 and paired Play 1 group is still amazing for audio but dedicated Homepods for TV audio gives me more options for delivering Sonos Group audio throughout the house now.
LOVE THE HOMEPOD 2 setup as a pair for 3rd gen APPLE TV 4K! LOVE that you can just say Hey Siri, turn on TV or turn off TV! sure you have the remote but you no longer need to use it to do EVERY single command! LOVE The homepod 2 spacious audio! its amazingly and astonishingly clear the sound is !
I’m most interested in knowing if having the sonos setup with a beam, mini sub, and two sonos one rear speakers, is straight up better. My impression was true Atmos needed to have multiple speakers but if the HomePods are good enough then maybe it makes sense. The expandability of sonos is what makes it so appealing and in Apple home you can just talk to a HomePod mini and get the voice assistant. I know the sonos will end up being more but not sure how extreme the difference is?
I use Sonos ARC, sub and two ONEs - I like the experience more than sitting in a modern movie theater. The flexibility (built-in mic, support for plenty of streams such as Spotify, Tidal and assistants such as Amazon Alexa, Google and plenty of radio stations is great). A decisive part is the initial measurement (performed using an iPhone): it may take two minutes but Sonos is well-known for getting the most out of your hearing room.
Bought 2... Started off great the first 2 days everything sounded great... Then i had issues with them connecting to my Apple TV 4k and my iPhone. Had to completely reset both Homepods to get them back on track. Hoping this is a one time thing.
Hi Caleb, I used to own 2 of the previous gen HomePods in stereo but I gave them away due to the lack of bass. I used them with my Apple 4k TV setup. other than the lack of bass they sounded good. I used them mostly for my music. I've since replaced them with 2 Bose S1 Pro speakers in stereo along with the Bose Sub 1 subwoofer and I am fully satisfied with the whole sound. Thanks Caleb.
I already have a solid soundbar set up but personally would love to see Apple delve into the Home Theatre market. A TV or even a larger more dedicated soundbar sub combo would be great.
I still hope that Apple will somehow enable the mode - 2 HomePods as soundbar with let's say a simulation of subwoofer plus 2 HomePods mini as sourround speakers... I'm pretty sure that could make the sound even more impressive 🙂
It probably won’t. Formats like Atmos or DTS:x explicitly don’t recommend using dipol or omni Directional speaker cause it’s diminish the hole object based surround experience. Even for 5.1 there are some rare use cases.
Speaking from someone who is in the Apple eco system, I really enjoyed the the first gen speaker I enjoyed the sound and how seamlessly it transfers music from device to device . My older Ones will go in my room and purchase the new one for the living room.
My son uses that setup with his xbox and 2 minis. It’s awesome for game play. We use 2 minis in the den and our bedroom. It’s a great solution and can be done a little at a time.
I have a Bose Soundtouch 300 and Acoustimass 300 subwoofer but I have had a lot of issues with them. The subwoofer died at 2.5 years old and I had it fixed and the soundbar is now dying a slow death at 4.5 years. I managed to get Bose to agree to fix it for free (in progress) but I have lost faith in Bose and their products so when I saw these new HomePods I was intrigued. Do you think the HomePod pair will outperform the Soundtouch 300 with Acoustimass 300 subwoofer?
I bought 2 Sony XB43's and they are very good for my purpose hooked up to tv in stereo pair, via Bluetooth and stereo pair mode, plus I got a mini jack stereo right and left separator "Y" jack is how it sounds it's best I must say. I use neutron music player on phone and computer what is the pest Music player and EQ available I believe.
I know this might seem silly to most people, but I'm a HUGE fan of movies and full surround. In the video it sure seemed like he said the two speakers "did a pretty good job" with creating a surround bubble. Maybe I'm remembering wrong. Anyway, if I knew that I could take it from "pretty good" to "great" by adding one or two more speakers, I would be 100% all about it. Getting Dolby Atmos full surround for under $1200 would be a bargain.
Nice job! Did you ever get to try the 1st gen HomePods as a stereo pair or home theater system? We used them for a few months and I had few complaints with the sound. I ended up replacing them with a pair of Klipsch The Fives and a sub but not necessarily for better sound. One of our HomePods would lose the stereo pairing overnight. I tend to start Apple Music every morning when I get up and having to re-pair the speakers every morning was a hassle. I liked the original HomePods and still use them in the kitchen and bedroom. I wish that Siri was a little smarter but otherwise I have no complaints. To me they sound way better than the Mini version. I may try them as a stereo pair again as there have been many updates since I fired them from that job.
This review is just what i was looking for. My use case is mostly as TV speakers and I allready have the new Apple TV 4 K. Great to see a review where the focus is on the sound and not the “smart”
It’s a non starter without a sound bar or sub. I have a full 7.2.4 home theater but a 5.1 Sonos play bar 2 play 1s and play sub. I would toss Sonos for a full apple system but without the other components, it’s a very expensive option for okay sound. You would need 2 for only a stereo pair at $600+$120 for an Apple TV. For $720 you would be better with a Sonos Arc for a few more bucks and you won’t need to be all in with Apple. And Sonos has AirPlay 2 so what are you getting? It’s not meant for home theater buffs because it’s much more expensive than the same or better options at a lower price with better expansion options.
Thank you for the great review. If you compare 2 2nd Gen HomePods vs Sony HTA9 with sub performance in both surround sound and music quality. Which one would you pick?
The mainproblem I have with using HomePods Gen 1 or 2 is volume, can't get enough volume a lot of times, I end up switching over to my AVR/Speaker system.
My Bose Soundbar stopped working after 1-1/2 years so I thought real hard and decided to replace with (2) HomePod 2. Being a Boomer (70 years young) I used to know great HiFi from the 60's, 70's and 80's. I cannot believe the sound quality and I even speak on the phone through the speakers. I didn't know how much I missed my music until the HomePod brought it all back. Apple rules!!!!!
Great review! Well, Erykah Badu, D’Angelo, Duckwrth…looks like we have the same taste when it comes to music!😅 I’m considering buying a pair to replace my old (but still working) Yamaha amplifier with 5.1 speaker set. But I was also considering a pair of Devialet for pure listening (definitely not the same price range though). My TV room is damp so a pair of HomePod should be more than enough, however I’m concerned how they’d fare in my living room that has a very high ceiling with an open mezzanine on top of it…
I’ve been fighting if I should buy dual Second gen HomePods and do this setup. I bought 2 SYMFONISK bookshelf speakers from ikea and have this set up in my living room and love that I can expand it. I’ve been meaning to see if I could also do this with Airplay 2 enabled tvs. At least the bookshelf speakers are Sonos so I can add a sub and more speakers for a more immersive sound.
3:43. That’s the whole reason we put it in the corner. The walls amplify the bass using the rooms acoustics. I don’t want my speaker turning down the bass. I WILL DECIDE THAT.
I used 2 white HomePods as a stereo pair attached to my Apple TV 4k for around 18 months before one of them utterly stopped working. Finances were tight, I couldn't afford a new replacement so I bought an Apple refurbished unit because I had to have my stereo pair. Fast forward to April 2024: I return from an extended hospital stay to find the original HomePod had also failed, with the refurbished one still working. My financial status had improved significantly so I bought a pair of Apple Refurbished 2nd generation HomePods, this time opting for the darker Midnight colour. No longer having a pair of original HomePods to compare the replacements to, I can't say their audio output is any better or worse but it is nice to know the room temperature on request. I totally agree: do not buy a 2nd gen HomePod, buy two of them.
Can a pair of HomePods be effectively used as a general replacement for a soundbar? I don’t mean when watching video on an Apple TV. But as a sound output for your cable box, Xbox, etc. Specifically, even if it’s possible at all… does it work well or is there too much latency?
seems like everyone dissing on the homepods. i have a pair of 1st gen. i really like them but i like quality sound and i do not want to talk to my speakers. so for me i have grown to love them. again im a huge music listener and i really enjoy them for listening to music. 😊 i think most people are missing the point. also i think they will be available for less at costco eventually.
Bose soundbar 300 + bass module 500 pairs great ( small/medium room). If your going higher in soundbar (600/700/900) go with the 700 bass module. I’ve had them all! 👍🏼
I have two HomePod mini’s and just ordered a regular HomePod. I plan on using all three with my Apple TV as a home theater. I am going to put the two mini’s behind me and the regular under my TV. Do you think that will sound good or just put all three under the TV?
Great review. I especially like the fact that you tend to quantify most of your remarks… tends to add a sense of balance and perspective to your reviews. Keep up the good work!
Appreciate the review Caleb. Will pick up two of ‘em. I am in the Apple ecosystem so yeah. Already have two HomePod minis and 1st gen HomePod. Regret I never got a pair. Sucks that you can’t pair this one with the older speaker.
No lag in my experience with the OG HomePods! I will say that when this feature was in beta I would run into the HomePods clicking and making odd noises, but that issue doesn’t happen anymore. And it usually only happened with extended play. To fix it, all that was needed was restarting the HomePods, Apple TV, or the console. Doesn’t happen to my series x anymore, but it does happen to my ps5 after a few hours, but it might be the audio settings I’ve selected not being compatible.
Yeah, seriously considering replacing our current kitchen/dining area setup of two older B&W 685S/Denon PMA-50 with a stereo pair HomePods 2. Mainly for improved user experience as we only the current setup with Bluetooth which takes just a bit too long to connect and fire up the amp
I just wish you could connect it to other devices with the tv. I can’t use it for my Xbox since it’s not through my Apple TV. Until then it can’t replace my sound bar
Hey everyone! Thanks for watching. Hard to rate this speaker given such a specific use case. Also, couple of clarifications: Sorry if I didn’t make this clean in the video, but any TV audio can be routed through an Apple TV to the HomePods via ARC or eARC. TV streaming apps, game console, cable box, Blu-ray player, you name it. Virtually no latency - not enough to notice, I still have to measure. Also, still testing volume control using various TVs, will update soon.
You can only connect two HomePods, correct? If you had to, would you connect a center or base also?
I was about to ask! Thank you for the clarification. One question though ... If I connect my LG 4K blue-ray player through eARC cable to apple tv (and therefore with the new homepods) will I get dolby Atmos from a dolby Atmos (ofcourse) blue-ray movie? There is no need for any amplifier or other equipment?
Less speakers, less mics and is shorter.
Please let us know after you measure!
Sorry for asking for a clarification, but how do I get the sound from my Xbox series x to a pair of homepods?
Apple needs to update the HomePod mini to be surroundsound speakers.
that would be so sick !!
That would be unbeatable with ease of use🥰
That may be good for a childs bedroom, but the HomePod Mini is only an 'OK' speaker. Frankly I find it less workable too, as if the softward isn't as good in the Mini, even though it may well be identical to the big Homepod. Having had the HP Original set up for TB I know what I would be missing if I used the Min. Like Dolby Atmost, some of the bass, maybe even other things you get on the big HomePod. But it's a used case issue. Kids bedroom would be find for a Mini. Main TV in the living room or theatre room, the big ones are so much better.
You can have two HomePod Mini’s and create a surround sound. I can’t confirm yet but I’d believe your be able to get SS 5.1 from the Apple TV 4K. But it can’t do Atmos because it can’t determine where it is like the bigger HomePods can.
And I highly doubt Apple will add that into the cheaper HomePod Mini next gen (whatever they call them).
I have a pair of HomePods for my tv and love them. They work flawlessly with an Apple TV 4K and never lose connection. I’m no audiophile but I love watching movies and tv with my HomePods. I use to have a sound bar but the HomePods out perform it by a wide margin.
Do they only work with Apple TV? What about Blu-ray players and gaming consoles?
@@DefiedFaith They work with other devices as long you have an Apple TV 4k 2nd gen and up and an HDMI ARC port on your tv. Plug in the Apple TV into that ARC port on your TV and go into settings to enable the function.
It is an entry level home audio speaker with Smart capability. That’s nice that most people are fine with sound that is “good enough” the HomePod Mini is available for them. The mini sounds OK, I have one and seldom use it, the Home Pods get used all day almost everyday. The new and OG HomePods are for people that want room filling sound without paying thousands. This fits the price point of Sony and Sonos speakers.
Apple: " We sell smart speakers"
Caleb: " Nah, you sell TV speakers!"
Great review.
yes. Just about sums it up. Got 2 of them on the release date at the Apple Store. Never looked back. Movies, 🎥music 🎵and using Siri for alarms and other things is amazing.
I literally searched for a video like this 20 minutes after it was posted. Perfect timing and saved me from continuing down the rabbit hole of sound bars!
It would be so great if they could release a software update that allows you to make it in a surround sound system! It would be interesting to have 5 or 9 HomePods all around!
Some one who buys 5 or 9 of these for $299 each must be be pretty god damn stupid, maybe that's why.
^This
They would be dope , I wonder why apple haven’t made a sound bar with a sub woofer. Then you could add 4 home pods .
It is doable. Makita has a $150 18v cordless speaker that can pair up to 10 speakers.
soundbar with built in Apple tv
I agree with this.
I got two for the purpose of actually downsizing my equipment footprint for a move and I’m very pleased. As mentioned the deep bass of a subwoofer can be missed, but not by much.
I also noted that the ATV will play the audio out to the pair as well as over the HDMI at the same time, so you COULD have a sub connected to your amp as well.
Theoretically, if Apple enabled up to 4 HomePods to be connected in the future and really went for it to create a true spatial audio room sound, do you think this could rival or even surpass the sound quality generated from the Sony HT-A9 system? While watching this video I kept thinking of the similarities here!
I was close to buying the Sony system but if Apple enabled this feature I'd buy four without hesitation
@@Chapter7Certified $1329 vs $1999. and If Apple Makes a 7-9in sub for $500-750. It's a no brainer to get the HomePod HT System.
No
@@Chapter7Certified Sony HT-A9 still better has High Resolution Audio
@@Chapter7Certified trust me, the Sony sub makes a good difference and apple would have to have a sub. Plus eARC.
Thanks! I love my HomePod (1st Gen) pair for excellent stereo sound. And now I ordered a pair of (2nd Gen) HomePods to listen as is or use together to make a ‘quad stereo sound’ with Apple Music. Hope it works. Will let you know.
I understand that you can’t pair the Gen 1 with the Gen 2. Better check that.
@@fkknight1 hi, thanks for your response. My thinking was having two separate pairs of HomePods (stereo pair of Gen 1 & a stereo pair of Gen 2 speakers) which can play separately Apple Music through them. But…. next Monday 2/6/23 when I receive my Gen 2 HomePod speaker pair, I’m going to set up across the room from my Gen 1 HomePod speaker pair, and stream Apple Music through both pairs at same time, which will work (called Apple about this and they said yes 👍), and it should fill the room up with ‘a quad sound’, not true surround, but a fake surround sound. I will update next week to reveal how well this sounds.
I received and hooked up my new HomePod (2nd Gen) pair and once dialed in with the Apple stereo pairing, they sounded great 👍 Then while they played Apple Music, I added my HomePod (1st Gen) stereo pair to also play and yes!! the sound was perfect with all four playing around me. I’m happy it turned out as I had hoped. Each stereo pair volume can be adjusted from the app or on top of each paired HomePod.
I purchased these as a pair and they sound phenomenal for a something so tiny. The arc feature is a game changer with the HomePods being able to play everything through them.
Apple need to make a sound bar or allow multiple HomePods to be paired for this to be a complete system.
I felt that price relative to performance the HomePod Mini was a way more impressive product. I didn’t know about how to use ARC until recently but now that I do that does change things a little. The next issue is the size and form factor. It’s hard to place them cleanly with a 65” screen. That’s a LOT of space between the speakers and they’re so tall they can’t sit in front without blocking the screen (even on “sound bar,” configuration).
Love mine as a pair. One side note with “one” more piece of Apple hardware, an old AirPort Express, you can add a powered subwoofer to the mix and now, altogether it’s amazing.
After just watching MKBHD & Dave2D reviews, your review is the only one that actually talks about sound quality experience in a proper way. MKBHD I usually love, but his review wasn’t good at all. Dave2D at least tried to do a frequency response and touched on stereo pair, but the review felt rushed and didn’t really have them setup in a good way.
YOU LITERALLY ANSWERED EVERYTHING I WAS THINKING! Ever since the announcement I was questioning getting 2 of these vs the Vizio ATMOS sound bar for the living room
What did you get?
@@victuringan1429 I just bought 2 new HomePods. They sound as advertised in the video, especially given my open floor plan living room.
Are your referring to the Vizio Elevate Atmos Soundbar ?
@@georgekaradimos5596 yeah, the M-Series elevate but I settled for the HomePods. I wanted the sound bar months ago but they were always sold out. So availability coupled with this review made me get the HomePods.
The Vizio is 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Thank You ! The best review I have listened to so far and there have been a few. I do not understand why Apple has limited the HomePod2 to a “stereo pair”. Why not at least 4 HomePod2 ? Hopefully one could have the sound coming from all around you. I have a pair of the original HomePods on one TV and a SONOS Arc system on another. Most of the time we are happy with the HomePods. The SONOS Arc, sub-woofer and surrounds are clearly better but cost considerably more. They are in a room setup for movie watching but often just easier to stay in the one room. The HomePods take up limited space for everyday use . Totally agree with your comment buy two not one.😊
I have an older Sonos playbar that drops connection every so often, but I also have sonos sub with it. How would just a playbar with sonos sub compare to the dual HomePods? I am about to have to purchase another playbar/arc from sonos, since i have invested in the subwoofers as well. Any comments on if the HomePods together would be better than an ARC and a full size Sonos Sub? Thanks for your help.
@@tonkem Hi Tonkem : I have done no scientific testing. I did try the SONOS Arc alone and was impressed by its capability. From my ears perspective it sounds better than two HomePods. It is a much bigger piece of equipment and has more speakers so not surprising. It also costs considerably more! I upgraded the SONOS Arc with a Sub to enhance the base response and added two SL Ones as rear speakers. I considered buying two SONOS Play 5 Generation 2 as side speakers but was put off by the cost. I was trying to get better surround sound. SONOS is rumored to be developing a replacement for the SONOS SL including an upfiring ATMOS speaker. Perhaps they will do this for the side channels as well. The dealer recommended I buy a second Sub as one tends to notice the “bangs in movies” seem to come from the same place. The extension of the original ARC has improved the surround sound but at a considerable cost and mor kit in the room. My pair of HomePods are not as good but are remarkably good for the price I paid. I just wish Apple would allow 4+ HomePods 2 to be connected together for truly immersive sound. Personally I prefer my two HomePods to my two SONOS SL’s. Suspect the price difference is not significant. Annoying when people expect the HomePod Mini to be as good as the HomePod 2. I understand that most people have budget limitations. I think a pair of HomePod 2’s is better than buying one and is a great alternative to a Soundbar.
You’ve opened my eyes to something I’ve never thought of, I’ve had my LG C8 for years and have just recently been thinking of a sound bar when I upgrade to an LG C2, although I don’t have an Apple TV 4K, I’m pretty invested in the Apple ecosystem so this would be really great
There are plenty of options. For a real cinematic experience I would certainly opt for a Sonos setup - one can start with two ONE gen2 devices and later extend the system to sound bar + subwoofer + two rear speakers (= ONE loudspeakers) - all wirelessly (incl. the connection to a Apple TV box). It's nice that Apple supports Dolby Atmos but don't hold your breath - it's still a stereo setup with some surround capability. The competition also supports Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple Airplay, Spotify, Tidal etc. - I am in an Apple-oriented home but I still want some flexibility.
Apple needs to (1) copy Sony HT-A9 and (2) add a 10" subwoofer option with (3) up to 4 subwoofers to complete the set
Agreed apple need to make sound bar or sound system
Hi Digital Trends, I have been watching you very recently, we’ll since 2019, and because of your awesome reviews I bought my first Oled Tv back in 2020 (LG CX) and absolutely love it. I have also purchased the same TV stand (the BDI Corridor 8179) and I absolutely love it as well, to be honest it’s my favorite piece of It all. Finally I have had 2 HomePods (2018) for the past two years, and I just sold them a week ago when I heard the new ones got announced and have them preordered for pick up this Thursday. So as I watch this review I realized we have the exact same living room tv set up, (I just copied you lol) and since you finally tested the stereo paired Homepods you can now enjoy them as daily drivers too. Great minds think alike I guess ;), but seriously thank you for your reviews, my favorite honest reviewer out there with great taste. Keep ‘em coming! The 🐐.
2 homepod in front n 2 minis in the rear...and an add-on subwoofer from apple for extra bass would be a game changer 🤘🤩
For music, clearity, accessibility and loudness purposes, isn't the Sonos Ray Beam Gen 2 better!
Great video I was going to get the complete soundbar package but I’m now going to get two of these v2 HomePods to go with the Apple 4K TV. It would be great if a future software update would allow you to add HomePod minis into the mix having two of those behind you would give it another dimension again.
Was just thinking about this while watching and 100%
I almost think it would be stupid not to do that haha
I have been using a pair of HomePod 1 in the bedroom as my sound system for tv and music. Yes I do have Apple TV 4K so I can enjoy the spacial audio and Atmos. I got them used and they have been great for me.
Amazing technology for sure.
Beam gen2 + sub mini vs 2 HomePod gen2?
I wonder how they would compare to a pair of Amazon Echo Studios?
Uh ohhhhh! Someone finally hit a million! Sorry, been sick & out of touch. Congratulations!
- edit: About that $599 price range. You’re my gen so you’ll understand: back in 1993 a Denon 2 channel receiver started at $199, a 5 disc changer another $199 and a pair of Klipsch bookshelf speakers also started at $199. You could also run your stereo tv through your system for the price of add on cables. The point is, that $599 hasn’t moved that much in 30 years considering what you’re getting.
I have a pair of the old HomePods for my entertainment room and can 100% agree with everything said here. I can add only one thing. They have ARC support which is super useful when switching from the Apple TV to my cable box where I can use the HomePods as well..
Thanks for the info, Peter! I was wondering how you would get them to work with Cable but you answered that question for me. 😊
Any delay issues? Would be a concern for me when gaming. Thanks!
@@SaifDia No audio delay when the ARC functionality is enabled. The only thing that is not perfect for me is when you have your cable/console on and you want to change the audio level you should use the Apple TV remote. By default this functionality is off. You should enable it in the Apple TV settings first to work.
@@peterlazarov4875 thank you! I know it was an issue on the minis which is why I refrained from buying them for my desktop setup. That’s weird; with eARC and the regular tv remote volume should work. This will definitely be an issue if my parents visit hahaha
@@SaifDia There may be a solutions I haven't researched it.
Viewing in this way as a soundbar replacement make it senses to buy it. I just think if it priced for 250 would sell a lot more. And they could make it the profit difference by selling numbers. Also made the Siri more ubiquitous.
Review aside…
Gotta give DT/Caleb their flowers for how far these videos have come. Been watching since 2018. Congratulations.
I have been 2 of the original full size HomePods with my Apple TV for years. Magical! I was using Bluetooth sound bars before as we use a projector and a blank wall for our TV. All the AV equipment(DVD,Laserdisc,HDDVD players) are by the projector and wiring speakers was a no go. The problem with Bluetooth is that is drops out now and then and has to be re-paired. There were times we had to move the sound bar to repair it. With Wifi and HomePods, problem gone. Having our Apple TV control everything is great. One volume control. With eARC the DVD automatically plays and then goes back to the Apple TV screen. Simple.
Any audio delay issues since there is no wired connection between HomePod and Apple TV.
Apple knows how to advertise. Their ad made me start looking for reviews. Thanks for the great video
finding this video in August 2024.I just got hold of a homepod original in mint condition for like $82 (ZAR 1,500). This review makes me want to get 2 homepod 2's now. Thank you for such a thoughtful review. Subscribed.
I’d love to see how this stacks up against a Sonos arc. Also is there a way to add a subwoofer in the mix?
Agree. We need a new sound bar and I would be interested In these.
I bought the Hisense U5120GW+ for $499 to try in my living room (I have a dedicated home theater already), and I was blown away by the sound that came out of it. These are a hard sell for the same price, and I know that these are impressive for what they are, but the Hisense performance per dollar is outstanding! And I have a $20k Home Theater already to compare.
I use 2 of these as my home cinema speakers. They are really, really good! The cost is comperable to a fairly good soundbar, so anybody in the market for a home cinema set up can realistically consider the HomePods. 100% recommended from me. I think the original's failure was down to a couple of points. First, a large % of people don't care about sound quality. They are just as happy with the HomePod Mini, which sounds nowhere as good as the big Homepod, but a lot of people really don't care, hence the HomePod Mini exists to fulfill that need. Equally, smart speakers on the whole are not especially smart. I was disappointed when I couldn't used my HomePod as the speaker for my Mac. I thought this was a major oversight. That was why I bought it, realised it would not work with my Mac, so decided to buy 2 and do the home theatre set up. It really does blow me away. Dolby Atmost is incredible, but even for shows without Atmos the sound quality is really good and it will still make your room start to buzz when you get a decent bass note. I've actually had to consider my neighbours on this point. I'm surprised Apple are not marketing this set up as a home cinema alternative to soundbards or 5.1 systems. The whole Apple TB & HomePods set up is incredible, and that's not even what I bought it for. As for my Mac, I just bought a pair of Creative Pebbles and that serves that need entierly. I do 'office work' so aside from killing time with UA-cam I don't need anything more that that. So a shout out to the Creative Pebble for being completely awesome too, and very affordable! Until I set up the HomePods I had never had a home cinema set up, so it's a huge upgrade and I don't feel the need to upgrade further to a more expenseive product. I'm really happy with this set up.
The moment I saw they could be paired I was counting on you to review it! How do they stand up compared to the Sony at-A9?
^ This! and maybe Kef LSX II (do a pair of HomePods + Apple TV deliver more than half the value, at around half the price?)
THIS is the review I’ve been looking for!👏 Thanks for the in-depth review. Much appreciated!
I love spatial audio but only trust it to an extent. I'd buy immediately if you could pair 4 for surround sound
I just set up my new Homepod pair and connected to my 65" LG C2... WoW! I watched Intersellar and the "low bass" is insanely good. They vibrated the footrest and coffee table in front of my couch. No way should you "buy just one". Buy the pair and figure out how to pay for the extra later. BTW- My Sonos Play 5 and paired Play 1 group is still amazing for audio but dedicated Homepods for TV audio gives me more options for delivering Sonos Group audio throughout the house now.
LOVE THE HOMEPOD 2 setup as a pair for 3rd gen APPLE TV 4K! LOVE that you can just say Hey Siri, turn on TV or turn off TV! sure you have the remote but you no longer need to use it to do EVERY single command! LOVE The homepod 2 spacious audio! its amazingly and astonishingly clear the sound is !
I’m most interested in knowing if having the sonos setup with a beam, mini sub, and two sonos one rear speakers, is straight up better. My impression was true Atmos needed to have multiple speakers but if the HomePods are good enough then maybe it makes sense. The expandability of sonos is what makes it so appealing and in Apple home you can just talk to a HomePod mini and get the voice assistant. I know the sonos will end up being more but not sure how extreme the difference is?
The equivalent Sonos is better sonically
I use Sonos ARC, sub and two ONEs - I like the experience more than sitting in a modern movie theater. The flexibility (built-in mic, support for plenty of streams such as Spotify, Tidal and assistants such as Amazon Alexa, Google and plenty of radio stations is great). A decisive part is the initial measurement (performed using an iPhone): it may take two minutes but Sonos is well-known for getting the most out of your hearing room.
Bought 2... Started off great the first 2 days everything sounded great... Then i had issues with them connecting to my Apple TV 4k and my iPhone. Had to completely reset both Homepods to get them back on track.
Hoping this is a one time thing.
I already love my homepod mini stereo pair as tv speakers lol
I’ll probably love the full sized homepods when I get my hands on them
So very tempted to upgrade my Gen 1 Beam to a pair of HomePods
Hi Caleb, I used to own 2 of the previous gen HomePods in stereo but I gave them away due to the lack of bass. I used them with my Apple 4k TV setup. other than the lack of bass they sounded good. I used them mostly for my music. I've since replaced them with 2 Bose S1 Pro speakers in stereo along with the Bose Sub 1 subwoofer and I am fully satisfied with the whole sound. Thanks Caleb.
Your homepods must be faulty or your arrangement is not right. The stereo has more than enough bass.
I already have a solid soundbar set up but personally would love to see Apple delve into the Home Theatre market. A TV or even a larger more dedicated soundbar sub combo would be great.
Made in CHY-NAH (Trump Voice)
I still hope that Apple will somehow enable the mode - 2 HomePods as soundbar with let's say a simulation of subwoofer plus 2 HomePods mini as sourround speakers... I'm pretty sure that could make the sound even more impressive 🙂
yes, same for me, would like to pair them with the mini's pair
It probably won’t. Formats like Atmos or DTS:x explicitly don’t recommend using dipol or omni Directional speaker cause it’s diminish the hole object based surround experience. Even for 5.1 there are some rare use cases.
The HomePod mini DOES have a thread radio… I know it does cause I use it lol. That’s a bit of a miss there
Hmm I have 2 of the original. I wonder how they compare to those. Does the quality suffer because of fewer tweeters?
Speaking from someone who is in the Apple eco system, I really enjoyed the the first gen speaker I enjoyed the sound and how seamlessly it transfers music from device to device . My older Ones will go in my room and purchase the new one for the living room.
Could you use your tv as center speaker ?
How would you compare a pair of these HomePods to Samsung Q990B?
My son uses that setup with his xbox and 2 minis. It’s awesome for game play. We use 2 minis in the den and our bedroom. It’s a great solution and can be done a little at a time.
I have been looking at reviews all day and been solely wanting to hear thoughts on Spatial Audio. Thank you!
I use my HomePod thermostat daily. Thermostat is used with the Home app and other automation features.
I have two HomePod gen 1. Is it worth it to upgrade?
I have a Bose Soundtouch 300 and Acoustimass 300 subwoofer but I have had a lot of issues with them. The subwoofer died at 2.5 years old and I had it fixed and the soundbar is now dying a slow death at 4.5 years. I managed to get Bose to agree to fix it for free (in progress) but I have lost faith in Bose and their products so when I saw these new HomePods I was intrigued. Do you think the HomePod pair will outperform the Soundtouch 300 with Acoustimass 300 subwoofer?
Can you connect HomePods using Firestick with the App TV app?
Would have loved to see how it stacked up to a stereo pair of amazon echo studios, heck, maybe even with an echo sub
For the price difference and a better voice assistant? Echo Studios 💯%
What about just one HomePod for a small apartment? I’m thinking of replacing my soundbar sometime soon and I’m torn between HomePod and Sonos Beam.
I bought 2 Sony XB43's and they are very good for my purpose hooked up to tv in stereo pair, via Bluetooth and stereo pair mode, plus I got a mini jack stereo right and left separator "Y" jack is how it sounds it's best I must say.
I use neutron music player on phone and computer what is the pest Music player and EQ available I believe.
If I put one on each side of my chair, will they sound great at low volume?
I know this might seem silly to most people, but I'm a HUGE fan of movies and full surround. In the video it sure seemed like he said the two speakers "did a pretty good job" with creating a surround bubble. Maybe I'm remembering wrong. Anyway, if I knew that I could take it from "pretty good" to "great" by adding one or two more speakers, I would be 100% all about it. Getting Dolby Atmos full surround for under $1200 would be a bargain.
This is the only reason I would get a HomePod…thank you for the review, I’ll be picking up a pair of these.
Nice job! Did you ever get to try the 1st gen HomePods as a stereo pair or home theater system? We used them for a few months and I had few complaints with the sound. I ended up replacing them with a pair of Klipsch The Fives and a sub but not necessarily for better sound. One of our HomePods would lose the stereo pairing overnight. I tend to start Apple Music every morning when I get up and having to re-pair the speakers every morning was a hassle. I liked the original HomePods and still use them in the kitchen and bedroom. I wish that Siri was a little smarter but otherwise I have no complaints. To me they sound way better than the Mini version. I may try them as a stereo pair again as there have been many updates since I fired them from that job.
This review is just what i was looking for. My use case is mostly as TV speakers and I allready have the new Apple TV 4 K. Great to see a review where the focus is on the sound and not the “smart”
It’s a non starter without a sound bar or sub. I have a full 7.2.4 home theater but a 5.1 Sonos play bar 2 play 1s and play sub. I would toss Sonos for a full apple system but without the other components, it’s a very expensive option for okay sound. You would need 2 for only a stereo pair at $600+$120 for an Apple TV. For $720 you would be better with a Sonos Arc for a few more bucks and you won’t need to be all in with Apple. And Sonos has AirPlay 2 so what are you getting? It’s not meant for home theater buffs because it’s much more expensive than the same or better options at a lower price with better expansion options.
Thank you for the great review. If you compare 2 2nd Gen HomePods vs Sony HTA9 with sub performance in both surround sound and music quality. Which one would you pick?
The mainproblem I have with using HomePods Gen 1 or 2 is volume, can't get enough volume a lot of times, I end up switching over to my AVR/Speaker system.
My Bose Soundbar stopped working after 1-1/2 years so I thought real hard and decided to replace with (2) HomePod 2. Being a Boomer (70 years young) I used to know great HiFi from the 60's, 70's and 80's. I cannot believe the sound quality and I even speak on the phone through the speakers. I didn't know how much I missed my music until the HomePod brought it all back. Apple rules!!!!!
Still using Gen1 for my home theater. Works great for my house.
Deciding between this or VIZIO elevate sound bar
Sticking with the mini’s. You can’t beat the sound for the price. I have one in every room.
Great review!
Well, Erykah Badu, D’Angelo, Duckwrth…looks like we have the same taste when it comes to music!😅
I’m considering buying a pair to replace my old (but still working) Yamaha amplifier with 5.1 speaker set. But I was also considering a pair of Devialet for pure listening (definitely not the same price range though). My TV room is damp so a pair of HomePod should be more than enough, however I’m concerned how they’d fare in my living room that has a very high ceiling with an open mezzanine on top of it…
I’ve been fighting if I should buy dual Second gen HomePods and do this setup. I bought 2 SYMFONISK bookshelf speakers from ikea and have this set up in my living room and love that I can expand it. I’ve been meaning to see if I could also do this with Airplay 2 enabled tvs. At least the bookshelf speakers are Sonos so I can add a sub and more speakers for a more immersive sound.
3:43. That’s the whole reason we put it in the corner. The walls amplify the bass using the rooms acoustics. I don’t want my speaker turning down the bass. I WILL DECIDE THAT.
would you prefer the homepod pair over sony a5000 soundbar??
I used 2 white HomePods as a stereo pair attached to my Apple TV 4k for around 18 months before one of them utterly stopped working. Finances were tight, I couldn't afford a new replacement so I bought an Apple refurbished unit because I had to have my stereo pair. Fast forward to April 2024: I return from an extended hospital stay to find the original HomePod had also failed, with the refurbished one still working.
My financial status had improved significantly so I bought a pair of Apple Refurbished 2nd generation HomePods, this time opting for the darker Midnight colour. No longer having a pair of original HomePods to compare the replacements to, I can't say their audio output is any better or worse but it is nice to know the room temperature on request.
I totally agree: do not buy a 2nd gen HomePod, buy two of them.
Can a pair of HomePods be effectively used as a general replacement for a soundbar? I don’t mean when watching video on an Apple TV. But as a sound output for your cable box, Xbox, etc. Specifically, even if it’s possible at all… does it work well or is there too much latency?
seems like everyone dissing on the homepods. i have a pair of 1st gen. i really like them but i like quality sound and i do not want to talk to my speakers. so for me i have grown to love them. again im a huge music listener and i really enjoy them for listening to music. 😊 i think most people are missing the point. also i think they will be available for less at costco eventually.
I have the first generation, would buying a second gen weigh in just as good as this video suggests with the 2 second generation HomePods?
Hi Caleb
Thanks for the review! Whats better out of these two: Bose soundbar 600 + Bass module 500 or the two homepods?
Bose soundbar 300 + bass module 500 pairs great ( small/medium room). If your going higher in soundbar (600/700/900) go with the 700 bass module. I’ve had them all! 👍🏼
"If you like Beats headphones"...😂
Not exactly the most ringing endorsement.
HT-A9 Vs Apple HomePod which has better audio.
Is this close to the same with the home pod mini?
I have two HomePod mini’s and just ordered a regular HomePod. I plan on using all three with my Apple TV as a home theater. I am going to put the two mini’s behind me and the regular under my TV. Do you think that will sound good or just put all three under the TV?
Great Review! 2 home pods or samsung HW-990B?
How close are they to the Sony HT-A9 with the obvious limitation of 2 vs 4 speakers?
Was about to mention Sonos beam....then you did.
I bought one, well impressed, perfect one box solution to upgrade my TV audio.
What about the use and simplicity of working with Apple 4K?
Thanks for the review Caleb. Nice job as always. I would really like to hear your oppinion (review) about the new Klipsch Sevens and Nines.
Is there a signal delay from Apple TV?
Great review. I especially like the fact that you tend to quantify most of your remarks… tends to add a sense of balance and perspective to your reviews. Keep up the good work!
Thank you for actually going to detail of how they sound. Thank you for also comparing them to sound bars. :)
Appreciate the review Caleb. Will pick up two of ‘em. I am in the Apple ecosystem so yeah. Already have two HomePod minis and 1st gen HomePod. Regret I never got a pair. Sucks that you can’t pair this one with the older speaker.
Any lag issues, especially when using it on another input? Gaming on a console, for example
you cant connect them to consoles, only apple devices!
@@TechnoFreak-IN as in when you set it through the eARC…
No lag in my experience with the OG HomePods!
I will say that when this feature was in beta I would run into the HomePods clicking and making odd noises, but that issue doesn’t happen anymore. And it usually only happened with extended play. To fix it, all that was needed was restarting the HomePods, Apple TV, or the console. Doesn’t happen to my series x anymore, but it does happen to my ps5 after a few hours, but it might be the audio settings I’ve selected not being compatible.
Yeah, seriously considering replacing our current kitchen/dining area setup of two older B&W 685S/Denon PMA-50 with a stereo pair HomePods 2. Mainly for improved user experience as we only the current setup with Bluetooth which takes just a bit too long to connect and fire up the amp
I’ve been using a stereo set of OG HomePods with my tv for a while now and love it.
Is it enough bass ?
@@DGYtown I think so, but that would also depend on how big your room is
Buz you can't get them to play the sound from the tv, only the sound from the Apple TV, right?
I just wish you could connect it to other devices with the tv. I can’t use it for my Xbox since it’s not through my Apple TV. Until then it can’t replace my sound bar
Could my PC connect to this via Bluetooth as a general quality mono speaker?