You Don't Understand the HomePod 2
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- Опубліковано 5 лют 2023
- The HomePod is a controversial device. Some people say it's not worth the money, some say it doesn't work as well as other smart speakers, but I have a different take. Come with me as I test the HomePod 2 against the Sonos One to see how it holds up.
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Thank You Jason…. Many people really don’t understand this product. I’ve been watching UA-cam the last few weeks shaking my head with this weird comparison videos. It’s probably one of the major reasons that the 1st HomePod failed the way it did. Great Vid
Great video! Can you do a review with the HomePod 2 in stereo pair vs Sonos 1 and 5 in stereo pairs?
I agree and I’m glad that the full-size HomePod is back. Even though I have a full size Soundsystem I’ve always enjoyed the large HomePod for my bedroom and kitchen. I certainly understand why they didn’t sell back in 2018 when they first came out. Who knows how well this new version will sell, but it is already back ordered. But many things are back ordered these days. Also, a couple of the new features might help with thread and matter support for the Apple home. I’m disabled, so I have many home automation items in my house, and these newer HomePods should help consolidate the ecosystem of my home automation. But you are right, the full-size HomePod really does do a pretty good job with audio.
Is it time to upgrade from Homepod 1 to Homepod 2? I have the orginals stereo paired as my tv speakers connected to my apple tv4K
The video I was waiting for you’ve nailed exactly what all the other tech reviewer’s are getting so wrong. It should be marketed as a Sonos alternative that has the added advantage of HomeKit integration. I agree with comments here that Apple marketing team gets HomePod so wrong and therefore it’s targeted market. I shall now thanks to you Jason be buying my HomePod V2. Thanks for a brilliant well made and explained video.
Thank you for the video, Jason! I need a bluetooth speaker to play mp3 in my very small classroom (4m x 3m) - I was considering one of those small apple HomePods as it would integrate better with my macbook. Do you think a small one would be enough to fill in a room that small? I think the big pods would be too much?
Either size speaker will integrate well with your MacBook. The mini makes acceptable sound, doesn’t sound bad at all. It good at podcasts for instance and music played at a medium level or in the background will be just fine. But if you really want some room filling sound get the larger HomePod. The mini and HomePod/HomePod2 aren’t in the same class or ball park. The mini is playing little league and the Home Pod2 is professional baseball.
Hi Jason, thank you very much for this video!
Following the path you put us onto, then there's more to consider than just Sonos. And I don't mean the Amazon Echo Studio. I'm talking about Bluesound with their excellent multiroom system. And with Bluesound, you can even step up into real HiFi, especially if you go for Bluesound capable devices by NAD.
The HomePod 2 demo has it sounding full with greater midrange presence. I am still rocking the OG HomePods, stereo paired, and absolutely love them. It’s such a different kind of speaker, and I was thankful to have them before Apple discontinued it, then was happy when it released the video introducing the next generation. Is it perfect? Heck no. I agree that Apple’s marketing is what got in the way, in part, when it was originally released, and in some ways it still is that way now. I’m personally still bullish on the product, and it’s a great compliment to the ecosystem. Thanks again, Jason.
I watched this video on a Mac Studio using the Klipsch 2.1 Promedia speakers, and to me the Sonos and the HomePods sounded very similar to identical in this video. Possibly due to using the iPhone mic to record? Personally I have a couple of pairs of OG HomePods (and I have a HomePod Mini pair) that I have zero need to upgrade (?) to the new gen.
homepod 1 for $150 was such a good deal when they discontinued it. I wish I picked up another 2.
Which is louder of the two? Do they sound better tan Huawei Sound X? Which has louder bass?
Jason do you think the Homepod 2nd Generation sounded like it had more BASS than the OG Homepod ?
I think (maybe hope?) that Apple is creeping into surround sound. The homepod (gen2s) can eventually be used as a right and left speaker, the minis can be back left and right and eventually Apple will release a larger homepod max as a center speaker.
You can already pair two homepods as left and right speakers. I'm hoping you will be able to pair homepods minis as rear speakers though too.
@@117dude that and a bigger/longer new soundbar type speaker would be perfect. They’d compete with Sonos.
4 HomePod 2’s in a surround sound configuration would rock!!
Currently, my HP1’s are experiencing problems completing Siri commands - even after the 16.3.1 fix patch. (Seemingly a common issue that started when 16.3 and the HP2 was released.)
This raises some questions:
1) How valuable are HomePods really IF Apple isn’t interested in supporting their LAST MODEL?
2) Will the HP1 and HP2 both be supported into the future?
3) Should I really look to HP to be the all in one music, cinema and smart solution for my home?
Finally someone that makes sense. I don't know why this isn't obvious to more reviewers. I have ZERO interest in a small smart speaker, except for make a kid's room.
Good video. Can the Sonos speakers be configured as the default speakers when using Apple TV 4K? If not, then I’m leaning towards the HomePods.
I don't think they can. Only the Sonos soundbars like the Ray, Beam and Arc because they have hdmi inputs. Only the Homepods can connect to Apple TV wirelessly.
@@PAINFULLYHONESTTECH Thanks for the info.
It cant thats why i sold my sonos beam for homepods
Everytime I open a app on my apple tv i had to select the sonos beam. Annoying
@@OligardaPaz I never ever had that problem and I’ve used the Beam and the Arc for extended periods of time. You must have had something wrong in the settings. You just go into video/audio select audio output and the select the beam. Not in temporary output. It should be there as a choice. It may say ARC or eARC and not the name of the device.
I’m using Aura Studio 3 as default speaker for Apple TV 4k (most recent gen)
Very unhappy with the frequency response of my homepod mini. The separation is surprisingly good, but it just sounds harsh. I was hoping to use it for basic ambient noise.
Are you sure it's not your source?
I have 2 Sonos play 5’s for stereo with an echo dot for voice control
I’m watching this video through two HomePods so I’m not sure it’s a good test for me 😂
Amazing that Apple failed so hard in advertising HomePod, my wild guess is Apple’s executives become too arrogant and think the brand will sell anything on its own.
For me both speakers sound very similar but HomePod’s sounds are more ‘aligned’ and nothing is stands out. It is very similar to other Apple audio products.
This is it. The same extremely balanced sound of the airpods in a larger format
Just a little background first. I am 70 years old. Back in my early 20’s, I had enough disposable income to indulge in my audiophile passion. My speakers of choice were a pair of Dahlquist DQ-10s. I invite anyone to do a little research about those speakers which some have said belonged to the “12 Most Significant Loudspeakers of all Time”. Suffice it to say, I have experienced true audiophile music reproduction.
I have a pair of the original HomePod speakers used with an Apple TV 4K forming part of a home theater system. And, I have never listened to the Sonos One speakers - except via UA-cam videos (Not an honest and fair test of audio reproduction comparisons, IMO.)
Are the HomePod speaker pair an audiophile caliber speaker? No, but few speakers are. Do they deliver a full evenly balanced, enjoyable soundscape especial in a stereo pair arrangement? Yes, they do. And, I agree with Jason that those who spend the money will not be disappointed.
Now, just a minor - very minor - critique of Jason’s “side by side” speaker comparison. Notice that Jason placed the two speakers side-by-side (almost touching) during this audition. However, that may have put the HomePod at a slight disadvantage since, unlike the Sonos One (which has a “traditional” front firing ‘speaker drivers in-a-box’ arrangement, the HomePod relies on a omnidirectional speaker driver arrangement where perhaps only one tweeter speaker module faces directly towards the listener. (Note: The HomePod woofer fires downward) By “blocking off” one side of the HomePod speaker by the Sonos One, the full HomePod sound envelope may have been “muffled” to a small degree. Again, just a minor quibble.
You can change the EQ and adjust the HomePod/mini output based on listening preferences
If you’re playing Apple Music, not for other video sources incl Apple TV
I got two 2nd gen HomePods which are my first HomePods! Then I have 6 mini's that I have and use daily! Love Em!
I have the original HomePods. I wouldn’t part from them for anything I’ve listened to in person. You did a nice review.
Great video, I have the old HomePod and now I have the new one, with the first HomePod Apple said that it’s prioritizing sound first and second and then the rest, But with this new HomePod, I really do not know what Apple is prioritizing with this new homepod, even the Sonos one sounds much better than it. 😢
Just wondering people are saying the HP2’s have slightly more bass than the HP1’s, do you think this is due to having 2 less tweeters?
I don’t think so. The overall sound is still pretty balanced.
great review !! I have 2 sonos one pair in stereo and couldn’t be more happy ….. like you said everything in sonos 😅s more natural and sonic …. home pod is great also …. more comprases sound but amaizing too ….
The hidden thesis here is that apple has completely failed at doing what their best marketing genius was: they have always been able to get you to know exactly what the product is for... All the way back to the massively popular iPod silhouette ads.
Glad to see you're killing it
I have on Sonos speaker, but I don't think I will ever buy another one because it doesn't have let me plug it in. I like my harmon kardon sticks, even if they are ugly, way more than my sonos and they both costed about the same. I believe I am not the target market, but I want to know why the target market doesn't want the flexibility of using a cable in addition to the airplay/app controlled playback.
Honestly if Apple managed to allow the pairing of multiple HomePods together (minis with big ones etc) for a true surround sound system instead of just stereo would instantly make the bigger HomePods must more logical for people to know their place in the lineup. I have a stereo of og HomePods and minis and I absolutely love them. The OG ones in particular cause I’m a bass guy so it’s like they feel my souls of happiness every time I hear music on them😅
Thank you. To be fair, I haven't tried other smart speakers but I recently picked up the Homepod gen 2 from Best Buy (New) for $250. I use mine only for music playback and LOVE IT!!!
Great video! These people complaining about the HomePod don’t get it. I have the Bose smart speaker 500 throughout (5 total) my house which was more expensive than the HomePods and probably don’t sound as good.
Bose Home 500 is a better system anyday. Each unit is stereo which is the best way to listen to music.
This was shorter than I expected…….
But thanks for the comparison, Jason. And I miss the intro/outros.
Hi, please can you have 4 homepod2 speakers and test it for possibly a multi channel 4.0 audio, similar to Sony HTA9???
I wouldn’t have placed the speakers side by side. I’d have thought it would affect the sound. Is the Sonos 360 degrees too?
Sonos has DSP tuning, but it wasn't engaged. The HomePod is supposed to actively scan its surroundings to provide the best audio. The distance between might have looked like less because of the camera angle. Slightly to the left or right would make the distance appear smaller. Hard to guage with a smartphone camera.
@@PAINFULLYHONESTTECH Apple recommends that Homepods 2 should have at least 6" of free space around it. I'd have placed it on its own for the best sound.
I've seen other channels use really bad placement beneath shelves, etc., which would likely affect the sound. Perhaps the algorithms would be able to adjust for it but it might still colour the sound. I'd prefer to give it the space it needs before making any judgements about the sound.
Id go with the homepod, it just sounds more full. But I have also seen several videos where the Gen1 actually sounded better than Gen2. I dunno
hi one question saw swedish dala horses at your house do you have swedish relatives or swedish friends was a bit curious
My grandparents traveled a lot and they were something I got from them when my grandmother sold their house. We really enjoy them.
I have 2 HomePod Minis, but I really want to get the new HomePods.
I actually believe that the HomePod 2 is cheaper than the Sonos speaker since you need to get the sonos sub to get that extra low end in your spectrum where the HomePod 2 is already great on its own. I've got one for about a month and I'm quite impressed by its capabilities - movies and music ! BTW, I used to own a 5.1 Sony home theater system for movies and a tube amplifiers with B&W speakers for my CDs which were both amazing setups ! It was brutal at first when I had to change for a "simpler" solution, but the way the sound of the HomePod 2 travels through my studio appartment is very compelling!
Have you tried 2 HomePods as a pair Jason? As far as how it sounded, they sounded the same to me.
I’ve been saying exactly this for years! Thank you!
I have the homepod mini and i fkn love it, is so helpful and easy to use, one of the best products that i have ever purchased
This is so good. I’ve been baffled by the hot takes from the big supposedly big reviewers
Thank you for the bid. The home pod sounded more rich except when the base kicked in. Again thanks!!!
But can i play the homepod 2 on the beach using the bluetooth on my phone?
Why would you want to?
@@PAINFULLYHONESTTECHtouché
You have to try the stereo pair with two homepods
I have. Made a video about homepods home theater with the last version. I'm going to revisit with the new ones.
cool, I'll check it out@@PAINFULLYHONESTTECH
I appreciate your honesty
I think plastic speakers using midrange drivers and tons of DSP to create woofer frequencies are not audiophile devices. If they carry premium pricetags they should be audiophile devices. Do your comparison using a Wiim Mini streamer and a good pair of powered speakers. That should be obtainable for under $300.
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I'm trying to find a video that shows what they can do
What it there to see it’s a speaker? What’s your question?
Thank you.
So cool you have two dalahästar in your livingroom// swedish guy
I’m getting 2 HomePods 2 and pair them up with my Apple TV
yep its a speaker for listening to music. shocker. and you should buy two to pair for the best experience. i think everyone is missing the point.
My biggest takeaway.. Apple Watch have a decibel meter?!? Wow
It seems the real benefit of HomePod is when you buy 2 and put them as a stereo pair.
No sub, it just can’t hit those lows like a setup with even a small dedicated subwoofer can.
Nothing beats proper amplifier and 2000$ - 4000$ quality stereo speaker system. You can play ALL of your audio from any audio source (PC, Apple, Iphone, Android, PS5, Xbox, Switch ...) with 100x quality compared to these tiny boxes. That's not even a big system, if you choose like that, they do quite compact ones too.
I'd be happy to compare the HomePod to my $4000+ separates system, but no one would expect it to compete with that. They aren't even the same thing. You have to be sure you're actually comparing comparable products in the same product category.
@@PAINFULLYHONESTTECH Please compare those systems, and would be nice if you'd compare great stereo system against surround systems and best of soundbars too. They are also for different kind of usage sure, but I personally listen all my audio from my top stereo system
Thanks, I now know what a HomePod is. It's an Apple bluetooth speaker with a funny name. SoundPod or AudioPod would make more sense. Is it only for home or could you use it at work or in a hotel room? Why is it that Apple makes something that already exists, does a better job at creating it, and then markets it like it's something new. It is a fancier, more expensive, better sounding version of my first Amazon Echo from nine years ago. I swear, if Apple made a bread slicer, people would run out to get it and brag that it's so much easier than eating an entire loaf. Thanks for the video, I guess I'll go buy a couple of them. 😁
Doesn’t support Bluetooth.
The real issue with the Home Pod is that consumers expect smart speakers to do more than just play music. Apple misses the mark by not having seamless integration with Spotify, which technically is a superior music product. They also aren't leading edge for smart home integration.
I've got an iPhone 14 Pro, an apple watch, airpod pro's, airtags... But Alexa rules my house.
WHy do you say Spotify is a superior music product?
See, I have Aleeza products and I never do anything but ask what time the football game is on or what the weather is. I’ve found pretty much all smart devices too fiddly to try and do much more. My new house has Google stuff all over and it never works right. I set up the devices, they don’t work right and eventually the drop off the network and I have to set them up again. I think that experience is very similar for a lot of people. So I don’t think many people actually use smart speakers for anything smart. They just want cheap speakers.
Danke!
If HomePod could connect to a PC, I would probably buy two units.
Does it still only support Airplay? Or is that just me not "understanding"? For $300 that's a no from me dawg. I already have speakers that sound better than this thing so its utility is greatly diminished by it's silly and completely arbitrary limitations. My AirPods Max don't only work over Airplay so why does this thing? Make it make sense.
The homepod sounded much better.
I would never invest in an Apple audio speaker. They have several failures in this market in the past. Sonos spanks then from soup to nuts and I’m not talking about the one vs the HomePod…network, versatility, portability, ecosystem (hate that word), sound (endless configurations and Atmos)…tested over time. The sonos app sucks still hopefully they address that soon. No contest Apple - stick to phones and computers. Stay in your lane.
On my end Sonos doesn't have as clear of a sound.
Sounds clearer to me
I agree with Jason. I think the HomePod 2 has a very clean sound, much more so than the old one.
If your music genre has a lot of base, say R&B etc, then the Homepod leaves the Sonos standing.
You're totally not wrong about the comparison to other speakers like Sonos. But I think where the HomePod 2 specifically *fails* is in its comparison to HomePod 1 in sound (sound is worse or similar, depending on your taste) and in price (too expensive or too similar, depending on your view of the sound comparison lol).
I definitely think the Homepod 2 sounds better. It will also work much better as a home theater system thanks to the better highs it produces and smoothed out base. The Thread and Matter support is also cool plus it retails $50 cheaper. The chip is also faster. I don't think it fails to Homepod 1 because of these reasons. imo.
@@117dude all fair points in a vacuum, but personally as a stereo HomePod 1 owner for years, I find it weird to have to draw a line in the sand between two products 5+ years apart. If they made major innovation updates to it, 300 is a perfect price point. It would feel like 2023. But I adore my OG HomePods and I can’t fathom spending more than $200 on these new ones even if they have those features you mentioned. Not after this long when I basically have the same thing in my house
@@elstcman5 I agree. I think it more of a product for people who don't already have the Homepod 1
So the Homepod is the Beats Audio of the smartspeaker world - overpriced and overly bassy. Good to know. I'd rather have a more neutral sound signature that can be changed with EQ settings myself (depending on the genre of music of course)
I definitely wouldn't liken them to Beats. Much better quality all all around. And since Apple bought them Beats have improved considerably.
@@PAINFULLYHONESTTECH I was being hyperbolic. I don't really feel that way. But I do prefer a more subtle sound signature
To me, the homepod is a device in search of a market other than that it's just another dust collector and who really needs that.
i understand homepod 2 (2023)...i bought one for 357 euros!!!
I went to Best Buy to hear one. Not impressed. Honestly, I wouldn’t pay more than $150 for it. It’s just not that great.
Isn't the Sonos One costs like $180? The Homepod 2 cost $300 and by your conclusion, is not that much better than the Sonos then how is it not overpriced?
To my knowledge the Sonos 1 doesn't have spatial audio or Dolby Atmos support. The Homepod does.
@@117dude Cool but I don't think it worth almost double the price plus Siri suck and you can't use HomePod with other devices that are not Apple. The worst is that the HomePod 2 is not even better than the HomePod 1 in term of sound quality. I think this is a worse buy than buying the HomePod 1 for $350 when it first releases (5 year ago)
@@super_hero2 Fair enough. The sound quality is definitely up for interpretation though. I think it sounds better personally. Especially for a Home Theater. The Homepod 1 was a bit to base heavy and can make it hard to hear voices. I guess it depends on what you are gonna use it for. I think the spacial audio and dolby atmos is well worth the extra money for a Home Theater. The Homepod 2 can actually be used with other products. Thats one of the benefits. It can be used with all Matter products. Its a step in the right direction
@@117dude If Home Theater is that important to you that justifies an almost double price tag compared to the Sonos One, you should invest in a surround sound system at under $1000 you can get pretty great systems that would blow the 2 HomePods out of the water especially if you buy renew/open box and the good thing is that this system doesn't require an apple tv to work (extra $150) you can buy any tv box or just use it directly with your build-in smart tv. As far as HP1 vs HP2, I watched multiple reviews and they all think the HP1 sounds better. This is objective and given how close HP1 and HP2 are, it is just tragic that Apple after 5 years can't improve the most important use case of the HP and sell it at the same price. I also heard that wifi and bluetooth on the HP2 are worst but I think these are not really important.
@@super_hero2 that might be a good for some people however I don’t have a large enough room for a complete surround sound systems. Also most of those systems are well over $1000. I mean receivers alone go for like $400. I already have an Apple TV so that isn’t a concern either
I understand it fine, it a overprice mediocre
Anybody hear a "clacking" sound while he's talking? It's like someone is typing. I hear it at various points prior to the 6 minute mark and after.
Say it don’t spray it
Buy a Sonos 1 for $179.99 and it has Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa built-in and sounds just as good as the Home Pod for a fraction of the price.
Best of all it doesn't require an iPhone to be set up. Has far better 3rd party support.
It's a hell of a lot more intelligent than Siri and it's far more compatible with a wider range of music services.
I seriously couldn't recommend a Home Pod to my friends with iPhones. I think I would feel guilty knowing that there are better alternatives out there with the Google ecosystem.
Plus the Home Pod still stains wood! Still!!! /)_
It’s not even available yet so how can you have an opinion either way? Because you listened to a review on UA-cam?
@Ron Hazer It's literally identical to the original Home Pod. And literally repeating every last mistake Apple made with the original. Including even ruining wood surfaces, limitations on what music services you can use natively and forcing you to own an iPhone to even be able to activate the damn thing.
It's just plain common sense It's a bad buy. It's the same failed product with the same failed marketing.
And this time the competition is so beyond far ahead Apple could never compete. Especially when it's inferior in basically every single way.
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lol im gonna get good cheaper alternatives
The background music while you are talking is super annoying. Why music at all!?
Apple HomePod no contest, and I own Sonos products …
Its CLEAR that he is biased and will speak highly of any apple product.. sad.. The homepod trash. i have a sonos, echo and homepod. i also dev for apple... yea, most apple products are trash af.
300$ is still expensive for a speaker!
It's all relative to waht you want and what you're willing to pay for it. I spent $4000 on a hometheater system. Each speaker was $1250. And that was half off.
Audiophiles would disagree
It is only expensive if you are poor.
@@franklingoodwin It is not an audiophile's first choice. The tones are more tuned for general customers.
@@Mordiiax That's not being poor. That's called keeping priorities straight.
You don’t understand how to evaluate a speaker.
Thanks for the feedback.
both sound awful
Apple Did Sound Better
What? You mean in the past or now? It sounds like you meant they did sound better in the past but I'm pretty sure youve just confused present and past tenses lol
@@franklingoodwin he means it did sound better in the test you just listened to!