Original Post
Written by
Edited January 22, 2023
at 03:22 AM
by
This product is available for Presell, and is expected to ship between 02/03/2023 and 03/10/2023.
Limit 3 per Member
Features:
Premium, Immersive, High-fidelity Audio
Spatial Audio for Big Sound all Around¹
Create a Stereo Pair with two HomePod Speakers for more Immersive Listening⁴
Home Hub to Connect and Control Smart Home Accessories³
https://www.costco.com/apple-home...94110.html
178 Comments
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Featured Comments
- Both Gen 1 and Gen 2 has no Spotify native software support. (Spotify connects through Airplay, which means Siri cannot communicate back and forth with the Spotify App)
- Gen 1 (2018) pricing was cut down due to lackluster sales from $349 to $299 then later discontinued in 2021. Pricing rumors had it start at $199. But Gen 2 (2023) pricing is at $299, again.
- Gen 2 has the S7 chip which Apple shares usage for their Apple watch series. The S7 shares the same SoC architecture with Apple Watch S6, S7 and S8 series. These are based off the A13 bionic chip. For context, the same A13 bionic chip is in the iPhone 11 (2020), iPhone SE 2nd Gen (2020), and iPad 9th Gen (2021). HomePod Gen 1 had the A8 chip, which was a powerful chip at that time but now discontinued.
- Supports Bluetooth 5.0
- Gen 1 had WiFi 5. Gen 2 has WiFi 4.
- Gen 1 had 7 tweeters and Gen 2 has 5.
- Gen 1 had 6 mics and Gen 2 has 4.
- Slightly shorter and noticeably lighter than Gen 1.
- New color Midnight available on the Gen 2.
- Gen 2 has the new temperature and humidity sensors, in which the HomePod Mini will also acquire through a software update. Temp and humidity hardware on the HomePod Mini was secretly available. HomePod Gen 1 support is unknown.
- Listens and sends alert based on Smoke and Monoxide alarms.
- Full-screen, and now bigger display located at the top of the device compared to Gen 1.
- No headphone jack.
- Thread support.
- Matter compatible.
- Dolby Atmos capable.
- Gen 2 has now a detachable power cord.
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I will take them and pay for the shipping
Yes I'll pay shipping!
I have a Sonos Arc with Sonos 1's and sub in my loft. Sonos 1 in stereo in my kitchen and garage. My ex has the original Sonos Soundbar, sub and Sonos 1's in her living room. Latest gen Echo in stereo in my kitchen as well.
Lets get this out of the way… the Echoes are NOT in the same league as any of these… PERIOD. Mediocre at best.
My daughter's room has 2 Gen 1 HomePods hooked to her Apple TV 4K and a HomePod mini in her bathroom. My other daughter has 2 HomePod minis in her room.
My living room has a really good legacy Home Theater system.
For MUSIC, the Gen 1 HomePods in stereo, sound wise, blow away anything Sonos, whether the arc "5.1" or a stereo pair. Better fidelity, surprisingly good bass. The Sonos are pretty good, just not as good as the HomePods. My daughter and her friends concur (16 & 17yr olds)
I have heard Sonos 3's and 5's in stereo. Awesome! But I have not done a direct comparison in my home.
For MUSIC, Sonos in stereo pair vs HomePod Mini stereo pair is a toss up. I find the Minis have better fidelity while the Sonos have more bass. Listener's choice here. My daughter and friends also had their faves.
For Movies… My living room setup blows away the HomePods and Sonos Arc. Not even a contest.
Sonos Arc vs HomePod for movies… the HomePods sound amazing for just 2 speakers. But I'll give it to the Sonos for the true surround sound. But for less than half the cost of the Arc system, the HomePods are not losers here.
Notice I wrote Sonos 1's not Ones. The 1's are basically One's without Alexa
My 2 cents
On a side note, I bought a NAD Bluetooth speaker off eBay for about $120, regular price I think $1K. Also uses AirPlay first gen. Now that speaker has incredible sound and is louder than most Home Theater Systems. Literally shakes the walls. I was expecting a small Bluetooth speaker, it's about as big as 3 HomePod side by side
Do you have any inputs on comparing gen 1 homepods in stereo pair with sonos 1s in stereo pair along with a sonos sub? Or I missed that comparison in your post?
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Do you have any inputs on comparing gen 1 homepods in stereo pair with sonos 1s in stereo pair along with a sonos sub? Or I missed that comparison in your post?
The Sonos 1's are actually really good sounding, they just don't sound as good as HomePods. That's my opinion, my daughter's and her friends.
the Sonos hands down stomp all over a pair of Echoes. Those are on the low side of mediocre.
On a side note… if you ever get a chance… The Harmon Kardon Invoke is one of the best sounding Bluetooth speakers. Lacks bass compared to the HomePods, but sounds so clear (like their old Home Theater Receivers). People knocked it because it used to use Cortana. But it since been deactivated by firmware update. You can't natively pair them in stereo, I believe. But I think there's a way using an Echo to do it. Only good for music. Don't use it to pair with your computer To watch movies or YouTube. Dam sync issues.
- Both Gen 1 and Gen 2 has no Spotify native software support. (Spotify connects through Airplay, which means Siri cannot communicate back and forth with the Spotify App)
- Gen 1 (2018) pricing was cut down due to lackluster sales from $349 to $299 then later discontinued in 2021. Pricing rumors had it start at $199. But Gen 2 (2023) pricing is at $299, again.
- Gen 2 has the S7 chip which Apple shares usage for their Apple watch series. The S7 shares the same SoC architecture with Apple Watch S6, S7 and S8 series. These are based off the A13 bionic chip. For context, the same A13 bionic chip is in the iPhone 11 (2020), iPhone SE 2nd Gen (2020), and iPad 9th Gen (2021). HomePod Gen 1 had the A8 chip, which was a powerful chip at that time but now discontinued.
- Supports Bluetooth 5.0
- Gen 1 had WiFi 5. Gen 2 has WiFi 4.
- Gen 1 had 7 tweeters and Gen 2 has 5.
- Gen 1 had 6 mics and Gen 2 has 4.
- Slightly shorter and noticeably lighter than Gen 1.
- New color Midnight available on the Gen 2.
- Gen 2 has the new temperature and humidity sensors, in which the HomePod Mini will also acquire through a software update. Temp and humidity hardware on the HomePod Mini was secretly available. HomePod Gen 1 support is unknown.
- Listens and sends alert based on Smoke and Monoxide alarms.
- Full-screen, and now bigger display located at the top of the device compared to Gen 1.
- No headphone jack.
- Thread support.
- Matter compatible.
- Dolby Atmos capable.
- Gen 2 has now a detachable power cord.
Reviewers said Apple probably improved their audio magic and it sounds comparable to the older version with less HW.
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