Apple HomePod (2nd generation) review: Apple’s best speaker returns

The unique 2018 HomePod was a uncommon instance of an Apple flop — value cuts weren’t sufficient to reserve it from being discontinued in March 2021. Nevertheless, the HomePod Mini, launched in November 2020, was seemingly profitable sufficient that it satisfied Apple to offer a full-sized good speaker a second shot. However does the HomePod 2 justify its existence? Discover out on this HomePod (2nd technology) assessment.

• Apple HomePod (2nd technology): $299 / £299 / €349

The brand new HomePod is Apple’s top-of-the-line good speaker, geared up with 5 tweeters, a 4-inch high-excursion woofer, and 4 microphones for selecting up Siri voice instructions. It helps spatial audio with Dolby Atmos, and robotically tunes itself to room acoustics while you transfer it. An extra inside mic is used to tune bass response.

Design-wise, it’s much like the unique HomePod, however there are some key variations. The HomePod (2nd technology) has two fewer tweeters and two fewer Siri mics, which can be excused by the decrease asking value — the first gen HomePod began at $349. It’s marginally smaller as properly, at 6.6 inches tall versus 6.8, and its contact management/response mild panel has been recessed. The facility wire is now removable in case you want a alternative, and its processor has been upgraded from an A8 to an S7 (the chip within the Apple Watch Collection 7).

Shade choices embody White and Midnight shades, the latter much like the pure black for the unique, besides that it’s silvery in vivid mild. In case you decide White, you should definitely put some type of safety beneath the bottom — whereas I examined the Midnight coloration, reviews say that Apple nonetheless hasn’t solved the tendency of white HomePods to stain wooden surfaces.

Characteristic-wise, the HomePod 2 has gained temperature and humidity sensors, out-of-the-box Matter assist, and a Thread radio for connecting suitable equipment. Since each Matter and Thread are solely simply choosing up steam, the additional sensors often is the most (instantly) related good residence addition, enabling climate-based HomeKit automations and not using a separate sensor, reminiscent of triggering a fan or dehumidifier. In case you like, although, you may simply ask Siri in regards to the temperature or humidity of the room your HomePod is in.

Talking of Siri, it’s value reiterating that HomePods are for Apple customers solely. You want an iPhone or iPad for setup, and settings are managed through the Apple House app. Likewise, whereas you should use Siri voice management for a number of third-party music/podcast companies reminiscent of Pandora, Deezer, and TuneIn, it defaults to Apple Music and Apple Podcasts, and Spotify stays conspicuously absent. There are workarounds to take heed to Spotify on a HomePod, however you’ll have to make use of AirPlay casting each time.

If you’re immersed within the Apple ecosystem, be aware that the HomePod is certainly one of a handful of gadgets that may act as a HomeKit hub for managing automations, Matter, and distant entry. You can even pair one or two HomePods with an Apple TV 4K for wi-fi TV audio. The latter’s HDMI ARC or eARC permits HomePods to output all your TV’s audio.

The Apple HomePod (2nd technology) is available for purchase from Apple, Greatest Purchase, and chosen different main retailers.

Regardless of dropping two tweeters, the HomePod (2nd technology) sounds implausible. Music, podcasts, and Siri exchanges are virtually uniformly loud and clear, thanks partly to the automated room tuning. Bass, in the meantime, is surprisingly highly effective — working the 16.3.2 software program, it’s higher at shaking desks than Amazon’s Echo Studio. You possibly can tone the booming sound down utilizing a Cut back Bass possibility, however I doubt most individuals will wish to, some points however. We’ll contact on these later.

The HomePod sounds even higher when enjoying one thing with Dolby Atmos assist. A single speaker can’t ship true encompass sound, after all, however Atmos does produce a extra immersive soundstage. This expands additional if you happen to can afford $600 for a stereo pair of 2nd gen HomePods. If there’s a catch, it’s the restricted quantity of Atmos content material on the market. Whenever you’re not enjoying Atmos-compatible video on an Apple TV, you’ll most likely be looking for spatial audio tracks on Apple Music, and most music hasn’t been enhanced. You would possibly be capable of discover pop acts like Pink or Paramore utilizing the format, for instance, however I couldn’t say the identical for a few of my extra obscure favorites like Raison d’etre or A Winged Victory for the Sullen.

When issues are firing on all cylinders, Apple’s ecosystem integration is a bonus. The Apple House app makes settings easy, and when media is enjoying, you’ll get lockscreen controls in your iPhone, with the choice to tug or push audio while you deliver your telephone close to the HomePod’s high. You can even change outputs utilizing AirPlay controls on any gadget.

For all its weaknesses, in the meantime, Siri can nonetheless deal with important instructions and allows you to management your HomePod, each instantly and from any linked Apple gadget. Certainly, the HomePod helps as much as six voice profiles used to personalize music, messages, and different information like calendars and reminders, so long as everyone seems to be a member of the identical HomeKit residence.

Aesthetically the product often is the most tasty good speaker available on the market, wanting luxe choices from audiophile manufacturers like Bang & Olufsen and Devialet. That’s subjective, naturally, and doesn’t actually matter on a sensible degree, however the HomePod ought to match as seamlessly into a house theater because it does into an workplace or kitchen.

Although bass and audio high quality are very good, the HomePod (2nd technology) can battle with mids and highs. Sometimes these components of the spectrum sound flat or overly crisp on the HomePod, as if Apple is prioritizing readability above every part else. On the similar time, bass is so highly effective that it could actually doubtlessly drown out different parts. A few of this seems to be linked to adjustments within the 16.3.2 software program replace, so it’s doable sound might be extra balanced by the point you learn this.

As with earlier HomePods, one massive difficulty is the dependence on Siri. It’s merely an inferior voice assistant subsequent to Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, with fewer skills and out of doors service hooks, and a larger tendency to misread a command or fail to reply. Meaning a HomePod is usually greatest managed through AirPlay or an Apple TV.

Nevertheless, the dealkiller for many individuals would be the slim platform assist. The HomePod 2 merely gained’t work with out an iPhone or iPad working HomeKit, and if you happen to do have one, native voice management is lacking not only for Spotify, however for different main music companies like Tidal, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music. There’s a great probability you’ll have so as to add or change to Apple Music if you happen to don’t wish to sacrifice voice-controlled playback. Heck, it doesn’t even assist Spotify Join except you’re utilizing that on an Apple gadget. There’s a cheaper, Siri-only Voice Plan for Apple Music, however you lose entry to Atmos and lossless content material.

An additional limitation is the absence of HDMI, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and an optical port, or audio-capable Bluetooth connections. Likewise, there’s no approach of tethering it to a TV with out an Apple TV 4K, by no means thoughts streaming from non-Apple telephones and computer systems, the exception being Home windows PCs through iTunes. The shortage of ports displays a broader pattern in good audio system and shows — but options are nonetheless out there if wired or Bluetooth assist issues to you.

For many who perceive and settle for its limitations, the brand new HomePod gained’t disappoint. It’s loud, earthshaking, and integrates seamlessly into an Apple residence, particularly if you happen to’re all-in on HomeKit as a wise residence platform.

What’s laborious to grasp is why Apple determined to resurrect the full-sized HomePod with comparatively few upgrades. It’s true that elevated Apple Music, Apple TV, and HomePod Mini adoption has most likely paved a greater basis for it, however gross sales can solely lengthen to this point with out supporting Spotify or extra third-party gadgets. Likewise, Siri’s enhancements since 2018 have been barely sufficient to remain related, not to mention high Alexa or Google Assistant. Most individuals will most likely be higher served by the multi-platform Sonos One ($199 at Amazon) or the Alexa-based Echo Studio ($199.99 at Amazon), the latter of which additionally affords superior sound based mostly on our testing.

It could possibly be that Apple wants a full-sized speaker not simply to compete with Amazon and Google, however as the idea for a renewed push into good residence tech after the October 2022 launch of Matter (Apple being a main backer). Each HomeKit setup wants a hub and Matter controller, and whereas you should use an Apple TV or the extra reasonably priced HomePod Mini ($99.99 at Greatest Purchase) for that goal, a speaker with killer sound could have apparent enchantment.

To me, then, plainly past Apple Music diehards, the goal audiences for the HomePod (2nd technology) are folks constructing out a HomeKit residence, and/or individuals who love their Apple TV 4K a lot that they’re prepared to purchase a few HomePods for wi-fi Dolby Atmos. These patrons can knock themselves out — however for the remainder of us, there are wiser good speaker choices on the market.