I understand their purpose, but not for me. I'm not into tiny invisible speakers, and my wife doesn't think speakers are ugly. Not quire sure I get that, but again, it's a personal design choice. DIY bookshelves that are relatively flat down to 35-40Hz is what I'd prefer. I prefer to avoid wireless where possible. Too many issues, especially in a house as noisy as a smart home (for RF noise, I mean). If you watch Linus' videos, you know what I mean. I have had similar issues in the past.
@@mattmatt2417 I think if you factor in the price of each of these speakers, the Echo Studio would come out ahead, especially when you can buy two of them to pair/sync for the price of some of the others on the list.
Ok, the 2 assistants talking to each other was GOLD 🤣🤣 absolutely loved it lol. As far as the speaker, I have 2 of the gen 1s and I love them. I was slightly disappointed by the small changes in this new one, and how it was released pretty quietly. However, I hope they did this because of bigger releases this year?? Maybe I’m too optimistic…
The being forced to use Apple Music take is a bad one. Apple actually allows any music app to be able to support the HomePod. Spotify actually is the one not supporting the HomePod. Not the other way around.
@@Chinesefoodrocks1521 oh for sure. But I can understand why people would be taken back by Spotify not being supported natively. But that’s on Spotify and not Apple. People always tend to make it seem like it’s because of Apple. In this case it really isn’t.
Loved the video. Great review; much better than some of the other channels that just spout off what has changed hardware wise from the old version to the new version. Really appreciated the speaker sound comparison to the other speakers you have in your house. But the best part was at the end when Siri and Alexa were having their little feud. Loved how you did that and it was ssoooo funny!
I like how MKBHD questioned the point of using these speakers for your TV, and you went ahead and tested it, only to find that it's actually good. I'm not an apple fan but this was a great review.
Loved it, it cracked me up at the end lol. I never liked any of apple's products before, and I never even considered buying any of Apple's products and introducing them to my smart home setup for obvious reasons, you are the first guy to make me want to try out the home pod TV stereo mode, honestly, your editing, production, dialog, teasers, honest opinions and your funny bets are the best " and I mean the best". besides, you keep getting better and better. That is what identifies you from everyone else, we can't wait to see what you are going to do next ?!! We will support you as much as we can. you really made a name for yourself on smart home industry as one of the top creators around the internet worldwide! BTW, are you sure you are not an apple super fan tho? lol.
We had a 1st gen Echo in our master bathroom for listening to music in the morning ru-vid.comUgkxABghAEkaIDGZfHRBH3D3rBrlraNmnC71 and while in the shower. I didn't realize how tinny and awful the sound output on the original Echo was until we replaced it with the Studio. It was a sonic upgrade far beyond what I was expecting. Just wow. I love it because it's like having speakers IN the shower. My friend likes it because the music is so loud that she can no longer hear me singing. So that's a win-win.
I have two of the original HomePods in my living room, and they sound great. It is one big room, it's a loft-style condo. When I work at my desk though, I have two HomePod Minis there. What surprised me was the quality of both pairs of speakers playing. I can play my desk stereo pair and my room stereo pair simultaneously. It sounds fantastic!
If you want, you can technically do a subwoofer for a 2.1 setup. Ifs a matter of an AirPlay adapter to the inputs of the subwoofer. It made a huge difference for my minis in the office.
Great review! Just a note on Spotify... It's not an Apple restriction. There are other music services available on Homepod, like Pandora, Deezer, TuneIn Radio & iHeart Radio. So it's actually Spotify that's not doing the work...
I’ve spoken to device manufacturers who have sent me the process of what it takes to get Spotify certified. It’s pretty intense but I think Apple is the one who isn’t wanting to jump through the hoops but who knows.
Thank you for your thoughtful review! HomePod's superb audio quality and easy portability make it my first choice in the home and for events, for the reasons you mentioned. They have high fidelity and clarity wherever you place them. I'm so glad you're going for the splurge - it will be worth it! My OG HomePod is well occupied and I can't wait for the Gen 2 to arrive. (Love the snarky exchange between the two devices at the end!)
I like the review. I have 2 minis at home and the only non apple device I have is the 2017 echo at the shop (commercial truck). Been spending weeks trying to sort out what I want to get to replace the echo for multiple reasons. 1 the echo is wearing out and doesn't sound that good anymore and 2 the amazon app is flat out horrible to work with. The review on loudness and sound quality helped me finalize my choice to add another apple device to my collection (echo is the only non apple device device I own other than TV)
Why are people surprised that an Apple Speaker 🔊 is designed for Apple Music? As an Apple Music subscriber , I thoroughly enjoy lossless audio and spacial audio on my Apple TV 4K. That’s the kick. I ordered two and can’t wait until February 3!
I don’t like apple music, I tried it after amazon music, but spotify is simply demonstrably better in almost every way. the only places spotify isn’t the best in class are places apple has made it impossible for spotify. namely homepods. I filled my house with homepod minis, I was considering getting a couple homepod gen 2’s for home control and better sound in one room, but I can’t justify the cost while apple continually blocks the best music service.
@@Fawstah you’re actually wrong here. It’s not Apple who’s blocking Spotify. It’s… well… Spotify themselves. The API is available for all, hence why Deezer for example is natively supported. Spotify just refuse to support the HomePod.
The echos (studio, echo sub, and echo 4th gen) can also be paired together with your TV (a compatible Fire TV stick or box required) to create a theater mode. I have this setup and its great! I use the studio as a center and echos as left and right channels.
You know how you're saying that home pod does not work with Spotify it is because Spotify does not want to pay apple like how they removed the purchasing feature in the app store for there subscription
As someone who has had both there's a few things to take into account. The HomePod is hands down a better speaker 100% but costs twice as much The Echo studio can only do Atmos connected to an Amazon TV device. The HomePod connected to Apple TV is an eARC receiver and so it can take HDMI audio from ANYTHING plugged into the TV (PS, Xbox, BluRay etc.) My wife can sit in the lounge literally yelling at Alexa and it doesn't respond (or 'listen'). HomePod responds 95% of the time even when you just use a normal spraking voice in a loud room
Hey Reed - yet another great video! I noticed while watching that you have sliding patio doors in your house. My family is constantly leaving ours unlocked. Have you come up with a way to integrate a sensor that will report the lock's status? I've seen some solutions by other DIYers, but wanted to get your thoughts. Thanks for all the great content!
Wish Apple would just fast forward, make the HomePod and iPad a syncable smart home hub/controller combo you can still use independently. We all know that’s where this is headed. Let’s get there.
@@coralreef909 Why would your iPad need to stay home? It could be used as the dashboard synced to your HomePod, sit on the wall like a photo when not in use, then grab and go when you’re leaving the house. It’ll get there.
I'm happy with alexa devices throughout the house, but I just got the homepod 2 stereo pair with my apple tv. It's pretty great. I'm glad I took the plunge. I had to check a couple times, cause it legitimately sounds like there's a center speaker. I was watching a largely dialogue movie with it and it did amazing. Once music is playing, the separation was great. The bass is just strong enough to be pleasant without wishing there was more there. If I really wanted, I would just get a cheaper wired 5.1, but this setup is really perfect and easy.
Truth on the home theater usage. I have two original HomePods utilizing Dolby Atmos through Apple TV 4K. I'm still impressed with the sound. Add the Airpod functionality, musical reproduction and overall design, and yeah, Apple got me too.
Interesting review, although I wonder why you compared it to the Echo instead of the Echo Studio since for the TV stereo pairing, that's what would the closest comparable to do...? The outro was awesome. Hahaha.,
But the Spotify thing is up to Spotify, the HomePod supports many, Spotify never added their API - why I have no idea. But I was done with Spotify the second it was published that they pay musicians that much less then competitors.
Thanks! I’m using an Audio-Technica AT4053B mic plugged into a Zoom F6 using the 32 bit audio. I bring it into FCP, sync it and do some slight processing on the audio.
I always enjoy your content. Love how you inject some great humor - very fun. I have an original HomePod in my kitchen for that TV, one in the porch, and a mini in my wife's quilting room. I'm using a sound bar and woofer for my main TV but this review makes me think two new HomePods might be a better option. Hmm... Thanks for the review!
I know everyone talking about Spotify issue but these are mainly for people in the apple ecosystem normally that includes Apple Music and as they say the audio file is better on Apple Music anyway then Spotify.
Ok, the joke at the end of the video is the best of all your clever jokes so far!!!! haha.... Great Content! Do you think that there will be possible in the near future, maybe with and update, to pair the new HomePod to the old OG HomePod? that's too bad that this can't be done right now.
I have had 2 Amazon studio speakers paired with an echo subwoofer paired to a fire-stick for over 1 year with zero issues…It must be an ESO issue with yours. They are connected to a C-1 OLED , in my bedroom I connected a pair of the fives by klipsch and 2 SVS sub 2000 to a Q90B that is the ultimate setup for a small speaker / no room for a sound bar design.
I tried having L and R beside the TV like you have, but the sound definitely came from the front only. Then I switched the to the Front (L) and Back (R) ... moved the right speaker to behind me, and they sounded A LOT better. Kind of "Surround Sound".
Reed, so $600 for the two of them. If Apple had priced them at $199 then it would be much more doable. The $300 price tag without a display... We have the echo show 10 for $250 and we love the sound capabilities with the screen for displaying our pictures, etc. I know you wanted to keep the TV area clean, but I wonder if there is a soundbar option to compare? Also, has Amazon done any work on the audio issues you talked about since you looked at that last?
@@karls8989 Well, Amazon sells their Fire tablets beside their echo devices, but I see your point. If Apple were to put a screen on the HomePod, it would bring it to $800 or $1k....
The volume doesn’t go too loud. My DENON HEOS 2 smart speakers and my BOSE smart speaker 500 have a more powerful sound and the BOSE has the best quality sound than the HomePod for sure, with the BASS and TREBLE set up capabilitie. The HomePod just allows you to reduce the bass to one level.
I wonder if anyone will come up with a cord that can plug go into a portable battery bank so you can take your homepod 2nd Gen into the backyard. I know someone 3D printed a mount for the hompod minis.
If the Homepod 2 had a rechargable battery inside so you can use it anywhere for hours that would be cool. Many multiroom speakers have a rechargable battery that lets you use them without a cord anywhere for hours but tend to be more expensive than the Homepod . In my view they are totally worth it !
Another great video, Thank you ! As I have a pair of Sonos Fives I cannot justify getting these as much as I would love to hear. I do have the mini in my office and works great for that. Maybe if the price comes down later I can upgrade. Love the banter at the end.
Love the Klipsch towers - I have a set of the Rp-600M bookshelf speakers - powered by nothing special… Do you think the HomePods in stereo can compete? Main reason I consider the change is convenience and smart integration. Great Vid and Review
Don't know about your speakers, but the HomePod does play down to the lowest A on the Piano. Get an AirPort Express to integrate with your smart home and you can run your speakers alongside HomePod without issues.
Great video! From what you're saying, it seems like it's a no brainer of an upgrade from the OG HomePod, but only if you don't already have HomePod mini around the place? Siri's focus on privacy will always win out in my opinion though.
Everybody seems to be really concerned about Spotify on the HomePods… Have you ever created a playlist on Spotify, only to find out a few days later that certain songs had to be removed for copyright reasons or whatever… You have to manage your playlist, or “groom” them, as I call it on a regular basis… I canceled Spotify for that… I haven’t seen a song drop off a playlist on Apple Music ever.
Ok so theres a work around with using all of your homepods together as a theater setup, IF you have an apple tv. All you have to do is use airplay. Idk if you for sure have to have an apple tv. If your tv itself has airplay then you should still be able to do it.
had the mini. it kept turning itself on at 4:00 in the morning blasting music. Not fun. Apple tech had no ideas to fix it. Last time it turned itself my husband threw it in the trash. Had to promise no more apple homepods.
You know I have Amazon echoes that I really want to use the speaker groups on but it never works. It always tells me my internet's down whenever I ask an echo to play music on one of the speaker groups
So glad I left the HomeKit ecosystem 2 years ago and went Amazon. A smart speaker with so many limitations and can’t even use voice for playing music from you favorite music service. So odd. How many times it disconnects from Wi-Fi and how many time Siri tells me I can’t do that from here or here’s what I found on the web??!!
HomePod has Spotify support There are other streaming services that work. Apple opened the API years ago. It’s just Spotify never ported their app to work with it. Same for RU-vid music
Echo STUDIO, Homepods true Amazon competitor blows away Homepod! Better priced, Louder, more low bass, more compatibility including Spotify, and direct Bluetooth connection. This comparison misses the mark--comparing "apples" to oranges! Still an amazing channel and contributor to the smart home community!
Don’t blame Apple, blame Spotify who stubbornly refuses to let Siri accessing their app. Their in some crazy war with Apple because Apple Music is viewed as being an arch rival.
Would love to get one or two but my biggest issue is playing audio from a windows PC used for gaming and music visualization. On this note, it’s just pathetic Apple doesn’t offer any visualization for music on the Apple TV and all we get is starring at a static screen.
I am going around asking RU-vidrs like yourself that are gurus with home automation to ask if they can guide me on trying to get my mother’s iPhone to ring over her apple HomePod mini. She is hard of hearing. As an excuse we can say my daughter lowers the volume of the ringer by mistake when she means to lower the volume for her games. Is there a way to get the iPhone to ring over the apple home pods? I know you can make a call, answer a call from, and transfer a call back and forth to home pod, but is there a way to make all the HomePod ring . Is there something in settings. Maybe an apple shortcut to make. I would really appreciate the help.
