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Apple HomePod 2nd Generation

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Re: Apple HomePod 2nd Generation

#61

Post by kgermino »

highwaylights wrote: post #49
selykg wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The stereo pairing was available on the 1st generation. I have three of the 1st gen models, they're fantastic. I think I paid $200 for each. At that price they're a steal.

Yeah, I'm a little confused as to what's actually new here from the video? I assume a newer chipset but it's not really clear what else has changed?

They're for sale again for starters. The first generation was discontinued a couple years ago. I think they had some manufacturing issue which meant they kept dying prematurely. It's possible this is basically a small spec bump + they should actually work this time

Re: Apple HomePod 2nd Generation

#62

Post by yalogin »

BasedInfra wrote: post #5

Siri is the main issue holding me back from buying a homepod. Alexa & Google just bypass it in cleverness while also understanding my accent way better. The only major plus of Siri is tight integration into ios.

Am curious. How often do you use a voice assistant and what tasks?

Re: Apple HomePod 2nd Generation

#63

Post by ianai »

My first Mac was a 12” 867 mhz (I think?) PowerBook. It had the footprint of a sheet of paper in 2003.

I genuinely don’t understand this product. And I similarly don’t understand the appeal of Siri. I thought the first one was a failure and they’d either walk away or change things dramatically. Like go the actual audio playback path and make it a respectable tower speaker. Add in a sound bar and satellites too. That could get a purchase from me. Or just make the Minis the interface and make Siri something people want to use.

Talking to computers at this point still feels like the 3D/VR products that get introduced periodically and ultimately fail. I also similarly don’t want to be around people talking to their smartphones in the places they’re already glued to them.

Re: Apple HomePod 2nd Generation

#64

Post by nntwozz »

thechao wrote: post #9
andrewbarba wrote: post #3

Worth noting: - We lost two tweeters (7 down to 5) - We lost two mics (6 down to 4) Really curious how the sound compares to the original.

I still don't know why it doesn't come with an equalizer built into Home. Sometimes I want grumbly bass; sometimes I want to understand Bane without subtitles.

Not an equalizer but Reduce Bass setting does exactly this. I actually have it on at all times because it makes the HomePod sound more flat, the default has too much bass for my taste.

Re: Apple HomePod 2nd Generation

#65

Post by robbiet480 »

highwaylights wrote: post #49
selykg wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The stereo pairing was available on the 1st generation. I have three of the 1st gen models, they're fantastic. I think I paid $200 for each. At that price they're a steal.

Yeah, I'm a little confused as to what's actually new here from the video? I assume a newer chipset but it's not really clear what else has changed?

The display on top is much larger.

The new HomePod has 4 microphones and 5 tweeters.

The original HomePod had 6 microphones and 7 tweeters.

New one weighs 5.1 pounds vs. 5.5 pounds previously.

Via https://twitter.com/rsgnl/status/1615719411813593097

Re: Apple HomePod 2nd Generation

#66

Post by sneak »

distantsounds wrote: post #32
sneak wrote: post #13

This is extremely exciting, given the audio quality of the HomePod 1. I had been buying new old stock of HomePod 1s off eBay to make sure I have 6 working ones (I use 3 different stereo pairs) for the foreseeable future. The only real downside of HomePods is that they don't function as bluetooth audio receivers (Apple proprietary AirPlay2 only) and that you need an Apple ID (as well as iCloud enabled on that Apple ID…

you're aware Apple _reduced_ the number of internal speakers, right? what makes you think it will be better, aside from flashy marketing materials?

I haven't made the assumption that more speakers = better sound.

It's possible it's experiencing the same gradual and nearly imperceptible quality decline (from insanely great to merely extremely good) that most Apple products have been undergoing the last 5-7 years, but I will reserve judgement until I have one (two, actually) in hand. Apple's brain drain and productmanagerization is sadly very real.

Fingers crossed that someone in Apple is holding it to the same standards as AudioAccessory1,1 (HomePod1), but not holding my breath as I think the guy who I believe was the main force behind it (Christopher Stringer) left Apple to create a company called Syng and a product called the Cell Alpha.

A stereo pair of Cell Alphas is $4500. A stereo pair of HomePod2s is $600.

Also, I think one of the main reasons the HP1 flopped is because it was too expensive. If this thing is 95% as good as the HP1 but stays in production because people are buying it because Apple figured out how to sell it for 15% cheaper, then it's a win.

We'll see!

Re: Apple HomePod 2nd Generation

#67

Post by brunoc »

sneak wrote: post #13

This is extremely exciting, given the audio quality of the HomePod 1. I had been buying new old stock of HomePod 1s off eBay to make sure I have 6 working ones (I use 3 different stereo pairs) for the foreseeable future. The only real downside of HomePods is that they don't function as bluetooth audio receivers (Apple proprietary AirPlay2 only) and that you need an Apple ID (as well as iCloud enabled on that Apple ID…

You can get a really, _really_ good pair of professional studio monitors for 2000$. I'll confess that I've never heard the HP1 but that is a bold claim!

Re: Apple HomePod 2nd Generation

#68

Post by TIPSIO »

If you scroll down to “Cinematic Experience” you’ll see a TV with two HomePod’s next to each other.

I do an identical setup with two Alexa Studio devices. The only difference being I have to use Fire TV and there’s actually a third Alexa Studio Base only device.

The setup is really good. It’s definitely not a replacement for surround sound. I argue it’s better sound than a Sound Bar though. It is even better for music.

The big thing though? As much as I love Apple stuff, everything and anything is always Alexa integrated. These synced speakers beep when my garage opens, vacuum, doors, connected to lights, my security system, fans, cameras, etc…

With Apple, your product selection is more limited or you need HomeBridge for ideal home automation. For me, I’d definitely rather have the Apple products but (hate or love it) Amazon is way more open and the only reason I settled for them.

Finally, I am not sure why and I would never personally do this setup, but if you look at the details of both Alexa Studio and HomePod “Home Theatre” setups, they both do not support connecting additionally to Echo’s or HomePod Mini’s for additional speakers. A fun option —- but equally not supported.

Bandwidth limitation of being wireless? Too few of people willing to do this?

Re: Apple HomePod 2nd Generation

#69

Post by TAKEMYMONEY »

sneak wrote: post #13

This is extremely exciting, given the audio quality of the HomePod 1. I had been buying new old stock of HomePod 1s off eBay to make sure I have 6 working ones (I use 3 different stereo pairs) for the foreseeable future. The only real downside of HomePods is that they don't function as bluetooth audio receivers (Apple proprietary AirPlay2 only) and that you need an Apple ID (as well as iCloud enabled on that Apple ID…

"An intelligent assistant" is the second bullet point on the product page.

If "people commenting about how Siri sucks are missing the point" then so are Apple's copywriters.

Re: Apple HomePod 2nd Generation

#70

Post by layer8 »

gpmcadam wrote: post #50
fassssst wrote: post #2

Temperature and humidity sensor is a nice perk for those of us with acoustic guitars and orchids. Presumably it can be used with Apple Shortcuts to trigger notifications. Might upgrade my first gen HomePod eventually, but it still sounds great.

fyi HomePod Mini also has those sensors

Siri claims it can't tell me the room temperature.
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