Detailed Review of Apple Homepod
Overview of Apple Homepod
The Apple HomePod is a speaker that couples not only as a smart speaker but also as a home intercom system. Users can send voice messages to other HopePods, iPhones, AirPods, and iPads. The Homepod has additional features which include Pandora integration, which might clear the path for collaborations with Spotify. In the current trend, the Homepod isn’t going to be discontinued any time soon. So, why wait? Check it out!
Design
Apple’s Homepod weighs 2.5kg in its 17.2cm body. The speaker packs a woofer and seven tweeters, with its amplifier. The speaker has six microphones that are placed strategically around the room to pick up speech. There are no additional physical connections available, which means there is no aux-in port for attaching a record player or other device. If users leave Apple’s HomePod speaker on certain surfaces, it might create a white ring beneath, mostly on more expensive wood. Apple has confirmed this and says information should be erased or removed after a few days, but some sources suggest it is permanent.
Set-up
The Apple HomePod requires the use of an iPhone or iPad to set up. As with the AirPods, merely holding the phone near the device will transfer the Apple ID and Apple Music preferences across. In comparison to the lengthy setup procedure that is involved in Amazon Echo or Sonos One, users can be relieved that they don’t have to spend a minute waving their iPhone around the room to calibrate the sound levels.
If there’s a wall behind it, some bits of what users are listening to will be sent that way, while the primary voice or instruments will be sent forward. If it’s not near a wall, the HomePod will emit sound within a 360-degree radius. Though it is believed most customers would use the speaker against a wall. If users don’t want other people interfering with their business, they can disable ‘personal requests’ based on the users’ information.
Performance
In simple terms, the quality of sound emanating from the Apple HomePod is excellent. The Homepod effortlessly fills a room, with excellent clarity between all aspects of music recordings. The bass, in particular, is powerful, yet the other aspects of the audio coming from the speaker are steady. And, again, if there are any sound effects on a soundtrack, whether it’s water splashing, rain, or faux-vinyl sound, the clarity is incredible. When compared to the new Amazon Echo and Sonos One, it simply outperforms them both in terms of audio quality.
However, the way users listen to music on the HomePod requires an Apple Music membership to get the most out of it. If they have joined the Bluetooth bandwagon, they won’t be able to play CDs or vinyl since there’s no aux input. In this setting, users may still control the music with their voice, but it responds much more slowly. The fact that users can only use Apple Music irritates everyone, emphasising how deeply invested they must be in the Apple ecosystem to get the most out of the HomePod.
Smart Home Set-up
The HomePod is not meant to be handled, with all interactions taking place mostly through speech. The ‘Hey Siri’ feature allows users to ask the HomePod any question they want. Because natural language is used, there is minimal difficulty in becoming acquainted in conversing with the HomePod. Even when there is loud music playing, their voice can be picked up, which appears impossible and proves that those six microphones are performing their job meticulously. Controlling the level of two speakers was hit-or-miss – occasionally the volume would change on one, both, or none. There are still some quirks in the discovery engine that users anticipate will require a few weeks of music playing to smooth out.
The Apple HomePod is a fantastic speaker, but the important question remains – is it worth the money? Other speakers can do more, and some affordable speakers still sound better.
Specifications
| Type | smart speaker |
| Audio Formats | active |
| Crossover Channel Qty | 2-way |
| Controls | next track, play/pause, previous track, volume |
