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Apple retired the unique HomePod as early as 2021 and solely stored the HomePod mini in its portfolio. Then, in early January of this 12 months, the brand new second-generation HomePod took over. We’ll give attention to these two good audio system – the HomePod (2023) and HomePod mini – right here, because the first HomePod is usually solely out there second-hand.
If you’re solely on the lookout for a sensible speaker that helps Siri, you can even go searching at different producers, akin to Sonos, Teufel, Bose and Bang & Olufsen. Alternatively, when shopping for a sensible speaker, you possibly can merely search for compatibility with Apple’s AirPlay 2 commonplace to seamlessly ship content material from the iPad or iPhone to the speaker. On this article, nevertheless, we’ll give attention to Apple’s in-house good speaker.
Apple HomePod (2023): The OG amongst Siri audio system
In mid-January 2023, Apple offered the brand new model of the massive HomePod with its second era. And huge it truly is, at the least compared to the “mini”: The size are fairly cumbersome with a top of 16.8 centimeters and a diameter of 14.2 centimeters. The burden can be excessive at 2.3 kilograms, though the machine is now 200 grams lighter and 4 millimeters decrease than its predecessor.
Nonetheless, the load isn’t an enormous deal since Apple’s HomePod doesn’t include a built-in battery anyway. Thus, it’s extra appropriate to perform as a bookshelf speaker or as an extension to your dwelling theater setup alone or with a second mannequin as a stereo pair. Sound-wise, the HomePod contains a high-excursion woofer and a hoop of 5 horn-loaded tweeters, every with its personal amplifier. So, you find yourself with a complete of six drivers, every accompanied by their very own amplifiers.
There are additionally a complete of 5 microphones, 4 of that are answerable for recording your voice to manage Siri. One other is a “low-frequency calibration microphone for computerized bass correction,” as Apple said on a HomePod service web page.
Apple desires to enhance the sound high quality with beam forming in addition to computational audio. The HomePod adjusts its sound through room recognition relying on its placement in your house. Thus, the audio high quality ought to be optimum even in corners or on cabinets.
The Apple HomePod additionally connects to different units through 802.11ac Wi-Fi with MIMO and Bluetooth 5.0. You possibly can play music on the speaker through Apple’s HomeKit, AirPlay 2, and the House app, however it can’t be used as a Bluetooth speaker. You can’t play music by connecting a cable to it, both.
In comparison with the unique from 2018, Apple has added some options to the brand new HomePod that you just already know from the mini: Amongst them is the likelihood to combine it into the house theater setup with the Apple TV. The second era of the HomePod additionally helps the brand new good dwelling commonplace Matter however has additionally been given utterly new features. For instance, there at the moment are sensors on board for measuring temperature and humidity.
Within the spring, Apple will add one other perform that permits you to react to smoke or carbon monoxide alarms because of noise detection when you’ve got put in a corresponding detector. You’ll then obtain the corresponding data in your iPhone.
The HomePod isn’t fairly low-cost, which can be provided within the 2023 model for 349 euros. If you’re keen to pay this worth, you possibly can anticipate a strong good speaker with seamless integration into the Apple universe.
Apple HomePod mini: Screams in coloration
With the HomePod mini, Apple launched a second good speaker a couple of years after the HomePod’s debut. The mini mannequin is considerably smaller and lighter with a weight of 345 grams, a top of just below 8.5 centimeters, and a diameter of 9.7 centimeters. There’s solely room for 2 passive woofers and one tweeter within the HomePod mini. Apple positioned 4 microphones within the microphone to cater to Siri’s voice recognition.
Just like the bigger-sized HomePod, the mini mannequin can be utilized as a stereo pair. It’s also suitable with AirPlay 2 and is available in white, yellow, orange, blue, and house grey. Apple has not built-in any technical updates with 802.11n and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity. As an alternative, there may be an ultra-wideband chip that permits you to observe the HomePod in your house through iPhone.
Though the HomePod mini is way more transportable, it doesn’t have an inside battery, identical to its large brother. So, except you personal a PowerStation, you’ll have to use the HomePod mini wired in your condominium or home.
In comparison with the HomePod, the mini mannequin can be surprisingly reasonably priced. Apple affords a really helpful retail worth of simply $99 for its HomePod mini. Furthermore, the small HomePod will nonetheless be available in shops in July 2022.
Which HomePod mannequin is the precise one for you?
Clearly, the sound within the giant HomePod is extra highly effective. Other than that, each fashions are virtually similar of their performance. It’s best to seek out out whether or not the sound of the little brother is enough for you earlier than shopping for, so it’s best to take heed to the sound of the HomePod mini for a take a look at drive earlier than you go to nice lengths.
Should you do not need to return the machine, you can even get a dwell impression at your native Apple retailer or electronics retailer. If you’re happy, you’re shopping for a high-quality and pleasant-sounding small good speaker with the HomePod mini. For extra “bang,” get the large HomePod (2023).
The brand new options for temperature measurement or alarm detection might additionally tip the scales by way of a sensible dwelling. Matter help, however, isn’t, since the usual is supported by default on the massive HomePod, however the HomePod mini has already acquired the HomePod firmware 16.1 and is thus Matter-compatible.
Since a number of HomePod fashions can be utilized on the identical time, you can even obtain significantly better sound high quality with a little bit of spare change. Nonetheless, Multiroom help is very really helpful for seamless music enjoyment all through the house.
Which HomePod would you select? And are you trying ahead to extra good speaker/HomePod articles within the coming weeks? Tell us within the feedback!
Information up to date in February 2023 after the HomePod 2023 evaluate. Older feedback had been stored and should seem out of context.
