To say that the 2nd - generation HomePod promulgation was a surprise is something of an understatement . While there had been some rumblings that a new model was in the work , the timing was wholly unexpected , arriving on a Wednesday morning in the centre of January following the launch of the M2 Mac mini and MacBook Pro .
But what ’s even strange than the timing is the HomePod itself . The HomePod web site gives picayune indication that it ’s a new model , and Apple has ostensibly gone to dandy lengths to design a new HomePod that looks and vocalize just like the quondam HomePod . Early reviewerspredictably saythe new HomePod “ remains true to the original ” with “ endearing and deep ” sound thatstill offers“expression and punch , ” especially when paired with a 2nd one .
That last point is cardinal . While music is sure a major marketing stage with the 2nd - gen theoretical account , Apple is also position HomePod as part of your “ cinematic plate theatre experience , ” a characteristic that was n’t initially available when the first model launched . Indeed , early on accountssay a HomePod dyad is “ heavy at adding pinnacle in price of positioning sound to match the action on the screen ” anddelivers“good clearness , nice bass , and great dimensional audio . ”
Sound quality was never HomePod ’s job .
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Of course , level-headed quality was never HomePod ’s egress . Like iPod and AirPods , euphony was HomePod ’s one main job and it did it extremely well . While some audiophiles criticized it for being too bass part - heavy , the HomePod was widely affect as one of the best standalone smart speakers around at its terms . It was limited to Apple Music ( or AirPlay from an Apple equipment ) , and could n’t just go as a Bluetooth utterer , but it for sure sound good ! We all screw how it end — Apple discontinued HomePod in March 2021 following an uncharacteristic price cut , presumptively due to flagging sales .
In an interview withMens Journal , Alice Chan , frailty president of product marketing , say Apple had “ discover more involvement than ever for the acoustics of a richer larger loudspeaker system , ” which is why Apple decide to resurrect the HomePod . Maybe that ’s true , but if the first one did n’t come through as a costly and modified music speaker , why not re - imagine the fresh HomePod as a soundbar ? Not only would it have wrench head and re - kindled interest in the speaker unit , but a revolutionary redesign would also in a flash make HomePod a player in the home theater space . Along with Apple TV+ and Apple TV 4 K , Apple would have a dependable one - two punch match by no other verbaliser maker or streaming service .
Arc de triumph
The pieces are all there . As a stereo couple , HomePod has two 4 - inch high - excursion woofer and 10 trumpet - loaded tweeters with case-by-case neodymium amplifier magnets , more than enough to equal theSonos Arc’s11 Class - D amplifiers , three angled silk - domed tweeters and eight 2 - column inch by 3 - in egg-shaped woofers . In fact , Apple already wants you to buy two HomePod utterer with Apple TV 4 super acid “ to enjoy Dolby Atmos audio frequency for a complete cinematic home theater experience . ” What if that include using a pair of HomePod mini for rear speakers and full environs sound ?
About the only affair it would really require is a long , flatter excogitation and a brace of HDMI ports . A HomePod soundbar could still be a music player , Home hub , and always - on Siri speaker , but with a fresh focus on the home theater . Maybe a Dialogue mode that enhances conversational voice communication or a Movie mode that leans more toward action or explosions .
Two HomePods are better than one , so why did n’t Apple build a multi - channel sound bar instead ?
Apple already encourages you to grease one’s palms two HomePods at $ 299 each . So even if a HomePod soundbar cost $ 799 and an extra $ 199 for two HomePod minis , it would still be cheaper than a Sonos Arc system with two rear One speakers . And the excogitation would be much friendlier for home dramatic art use than two rather magniloquent talker that could obstruct certain horizon of your television .
I ’m not privy to sales figures for the original HomePod or preorders for the Modern one , but I doubt anyone who has an original HomePod is rushing out to grease one’s palms a 2nd - gen manikin . Other than a temperature sensor and the ability to severalise you when it pick up an alarm , the wardrobe releases announcing the speakers could have been the same — Apple does n’t even mention the original HomePod anywhere on the situation as a point of comparison .
Instead of a subsequence that really build on the original , Apple ’s second try at making a high - end high - fidelity speaker for the home feel like a rerun . And I ’m afraid it ’s going to have the same closing as the first one .
