TechAudioApple HomePod (second generation) review: a sound investmentThe HomePod is back and it sounds incredible for music and moviesWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Future)T3 VerdictThe second-generation HomePod provides jaw-dropping audio, whether listening to music or watching films through the Apple TV, and it only gets better with two of them. If you’ve already bought into the Apple ecosystem, this provides a premium experience all-round.Reasons to buy+Stunning audio+Works perfectly with Apple TV+Now a proficient home hubReasons to avoid-Bass can be a bit much-Requires other Apple products-Too tall to sit under your TVWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
TechAudioApple HomePod (second generation) review: a sound investmentThe HomePod is back and it sounds incredible for music and moviesWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Future)T3 VerdictThe second-generation HomePod provides jaw-dropping audio, whether listening to music or watching films through the Apple TV, and it only gets better with two of them. If you’ve already bought into the Apple ecosystem, this provides a premium experience all-round.Reasons to buy+Stunning audio+Works perfectly with Apple TV+Now a proficient home hubReasons to avoid-Bass can be a bit much-Requires other Apple products-Too tall to sit under your TVWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
The HomePod is back and it sounds incredible for music and movies
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Future)T3 VerdictThe second-generation HomePod provides jaw-dropping audio, whether listening to music or watching films through the Apple TV, and it only gets better with two of them. If you’ve already bought into the Apple ecosystem, this provides a premium experience all-round.Reasons to buy+Stunning audio+Works perfectly with Apple TV+Now a proficient home hubReasons to avoid-Bass can be a bit much-Requires other Apple products-Too tall to sit under your TV
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
T3 VerdictThe second-generation HomePod provides jaw-dropping audio, whether listening to music or watching films through the Apple TV, and it only gets better with two of them. If you’ve already bought into the Apple ecosystem, this provides a premium experience all-round.Reasons to buy+Stunning audio+Works perfectly with Apple TV+Now a proficient home hubReasons to avoid-Bass can be a bit much-Requires other Apple products-Too tall to sit under your TV
T3 VerdictThe second-generation HomePod provides jaw-dropping audio, whether listening to music or watching films through the Apple TV, and it only gets better with two of them. If you’ve already bought into the Apple ecosystem, this provides a premium experience all-round.
T3 Verdict
The second-generation HomePod provides jaw-dropping audio, whether listening to music or watching films through the Apple TV, and it only gets better with two of them. If you’ve already bought into the Apple ecosystem, this provides a premium experience all-round.
Reasons to buy+Stunning audio+Works perfectly with Apple TV+Now a proficient home hubReasons to avoid-Bass can be a bit much-Requires other Apple products-Too tall to sit under your TV
Reasons to buy+Stunning audio+Works perfectly with Apple TV+Now a proficient home hub
Stunning audio
Works perfectly with Apple TV
Now a proficient home hub
Reasons to avoid-Bass can be a bit much-Requires other Apple products-Too tall to sit under your TV
Bass can be a bit much
Requires other Apple products
Too tall to sit under your TV
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
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The firstApple HomePodwas released back in 2018 but then discontinued in 2021, leaving just theHomePod miniin itssmart speakeroffering. Thankfully though, the HomePod is back with a second generation, to cater for those looking for a more premiumAppleaudio experience.
While not a lot appears to have changed with the new model, its integration into Apple’s smart home ecosystem is much more pronounced. This makes the HomePod central to not just your music listening needs but also your home cinema and the automation of other devices in your network.
It’s almost as if the HomePod was launched before its time, as now the second-generation speaker makes a lot more sense. This is still a device that caters purely to existing Apple users, but most of the niggles we had with it before have been solved through a series of software updates. There are also some internal design changes that on first inspection look like a downgrade, but in practice see the HomePod become even more impressive.
I’ve been using two of the second-generation HomePod devices paired with the latestApple TV4K to provide cinema sound. I’ve also used these devices to play music and control smart home devices. With the HomePod, Apple is ready to take on full smart home control, and it delivers audio that you can be truly proud of.
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
Price, availability and release date
The HomePod (second generation) was announced on 18th January. This was a day after the announcement of the newMacBook Pro M2 Proand M2 Max, and the newMac mini M2 Proand M2 models.
The new model is available to buy from 3rd February, with pre-orders open in advance. It costs £299 / $299 / AU$479, which is cheaper than the initial £319/$349 launch price of the first generation. However, that did drop to £279/$299 a year later. If you’re looking to buy two for the stereo pair, there’s no discount or twin pack available right now.
That price positioning is interesting, as it’s a good step above theSonos OneandEcho Studiobut is significantly cheaper than the likes of theSonos Five. It does feel like a sweet spot for a premium but affordable home speaker. Even if you’re buying two, the price is still less than top end soundbars like theSamsung HW-Q990Bor theSonos Arc.
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
Design and build
The new HomePod is largely the same size and shape as the original model. Placed next to each other you’d need to look carefully to tell them apart. The second-gen model is slightly shorter at 168mm (6.6 inches) but the same 142mm (5.6 inches) wide. The base of the unit has changed slightly, now being completely flat rather than concave. Meanwhile, the top touch panel is set slightly recessed.
Weighing in at 2.3kg (5.16lbs) it’s also slightly lighter than the original – due to some changes in the internals that I’ll come to in a minute. That’s still a significant weight for a speaker – more than the likes of theSonosOne or Denon Home 150 but considerably less than the Echo Studio or Sonos Five.
Personally I’d have loved to see more of a regular display with anApple WatchOS here, allowing you to flip through functions and even scroll through song choices. Instead, the HomePod relies on either voice command or via the Home app on youriPhone,iPador Mac. That said, if all you are using the HomePod for is as a speaker, the current panel is more than sufficient.
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
Features and operation
Setting up the HomePod is really straight-forward using another Apple device. Once the device is plugged in, it will chime to say it is ready to set up. Then, if you hold your iPhone close to the HomePod, a notification will appear on your iPhone screen to set up. Much like with the Apple Watch set-up, you then just the phone’s camera to capture the top of the HomePod and it does the rest. The HomePod will then appear in your Apple Home app, where you can adjust the settings.
The easiest way to control the HomePod is using voice or with the Home app. Yes, you can use the touch panel on the top to change the volume, activate Siri or change tracks but just using the “Hey Siri” command is often much easier for simple commands (and means you don’t need to walk over to it). The Home app gives you lots more control of the HomePod, including how it reacts to Siri controls, automations and audio settings.
There’s no EQ option here, not even in terms of sound profiles, but there is the ability to reduce the bass. This is useful when using it for music or cinema sound late at night, as that bass can really travel.
From the Home app you can also pair two HomePod speakers to create a stereo pair, though these both need to be the same generation of HomePod, as you can’t pair an older HomePod with a second-generation model. Once in a pair, they provide a much wider sound space for either music or movie sound.
You can also see the reading from the HomePod’s temperature and humidity sensors in the Home app, even when you’re not at home. You can then add automation based on these readings. So, if the temperature rises above or below a certain level, during a time of day and based on the people at home, you can have another connected accessory activate. For instance, I can choose to have my dehumidifier switch on, if the humidity rises above 60% when someone is at home.
One of my favourite features of the HomePod is that you can pair it with the Apple TV to deliver audio when watching shows and films. With both devices updated to the latest software version, the option to use the HomePod for sound will appear in the Apple TV menu. If you have paired two HomePods together, they will appear as a set. You will then be able to control the volume of the HomePod using your Apple TV remote. If your TV has an eARC HDMI port, you can have all of your TV audio coming through the HomePod speakers (note that to do that you need to activate the audio return channel in the Apple TV’s audio output).
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
Sound quality
Inside the HomePod is packed with speakers and microphones. There’s a 20mm high-excursion woofer for bass, five tweeters in a beam-forming array for the detail, a four-microphone array for the Siri requests and to monitor the EQ, as well as an internal bass-EQ microphone to make sure it delivers the right amount of bass for the volume and track.
As to whether the reduction in microphones and tweeters have affected the sound quality and response, I can confirm that this is certainly not a step backwards.
(Image credit: Apple)
(Image credit: Apple)
What’s clear from the first notes the HomePod delivers is just how big the sound that it creates is. For such a relatively small speaker, the sound instantly fills the room and then hits you like a hammer as it provides the bass.
There’s great separation on audio tracks, especially lossless Apple Music content that allows you to hear every instrument crisply, no matter the volume it’s being played at. The experience is excellent with a single HomePod but just gets even better when paired with a second unit. As well as a stereo pair, you can add in other speakers on your network, so I was even able to play the same content on my Sonos Five at the same time.
The bass really is big on the HomePod. Not in a shaking your windows or distorted way, but just from a sheer volume point of view. I found with movie content, for regular watching I often turned on the ‘reduce bass’ function, and found it still delivered a very balanced sound. With the bass on full though, you do get a proper cinematic experience, especially when paired with a decent OLED TV.
To compare it with other speakers is tricky, as most are priced considerably lower of higher than the HomePod. Up against the likes of the Sonos One and Denon 150, it’s definitely a step above. Though compare it to the likes of the Sonos Five (a speaker nearly twice the price) and the HomePod doesn’t have as full a sound. Does it justify the extra spend over lower-priced units? In my opinion, it absolutely does.
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
Smart home functionality
The smart home functionality is something that has really expanded for Apple since the launch of the first HomePod. Now, the HomePod second generation is able to offer a much more pivotable role in the home network, connecting to a wider range of accessories and providing much more in terms of automation.
Apple’s Home app might have lagged behind the likes ofAmazonandGooglein previous years but recent updates and the addition of Matter compatibility has seen it gain serious traction. Of course, if you’re not an AppleiOSuser you will struggle. There’s noAndroidversion of the Home app available to start with.
It is possible to play music on the HomePod from an Android device using CloudPlayer, but you’re not going to get the full experience from the device. There’s no input port for a direct connection and content is only streamed over AirPlay. It’s a slight shame that this isn’t more accessible, but as the HomePod is designed to be part of the Apple ecosystem, it’s possibly no surprise.
If however, you are already bought in to the Apple system, you’ll find the HomePod not only fits effortlessly into your system but actually improves it. As someone who uses a mix of voice assistants, I’ve found myself using the Hey Siri command far more often with the HomePods on hand, and those microphones haven’t missed a beat, even with music on.
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
Verdict
If you’re an Apple user already considering a premium smart speaker, I feel that while the HomePod is more expensive than some, the sound quality and functionality justify the extra cost.
The new HomePod really does deliver a great sound for both music and movies. However, the taller build means it won’t sit neatly underneath your TV in the same way as a soundbar would, and for the same money, you can get a pretty decent dedicated home cinema system. I’d love to see a soundbar-shaped version of the HomePod or at least a twin pack that shaves £50 off the price.
Without spending a lot more money, you won’t get a better all-purpose smart speaker than the HomePod. If you’re using an iPhone then having this speaker at home is a great choice.
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
Also consider
If you’re not ready to spend nearly £300 / $300 on a speaker – or double that on two – theHomePod miniis a great choice. Priced at just £99 / $99 / AU$149, these are considerably cheaper and smaller. Plus, you can still link them in a stereo pair and connect them to your Apple TV. It’s also now been revealed that they also have the temperature and humidity sensors on board, so they can run your automations too.
If you’re looking for audio quality, theSonos Fiveis the company’s flagship offering and delivers a room-filling warm sound that feels very natural as standard. Though you can also tweak the audio yourself with the EQ in the Sonos app.
If on the other hand, your focus is on cinema sound, I would consider a soundbar suck as theSonos Beam, paired with theSonos Mini Sub, to really boost that bass. However, once you add that bass unit, the price soon mounts up.
Apple HomePod (2nd Gen): Price Comparison
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