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+--- Thread: sound off?!.....Consumer Reports compares HomePod sound...... (/showthread.php?tid=213609)
sound off?!.....Consumer Reports compares HomePod sound...... - NewtonMP2100 - 02-13-2018
.....to Google Home Max and Sonos One........both have better sound than the HomePod....
Consumer Reports: Google Home Max and Sonos One Sound Better Than HomePod
.....Consumer Reports has conducted some early audio testing of the HomePod, and while the full evaluation isn't yet finished, the site believes that both the $400 Google Home Max and the $200 Sonos One sound better than Apple's new $349 smart speaker.
The HomePod received a "Very Good" sound quality rating, as did the Sonos One and the Google Home Max, but the latter two speakers also received higher overall sound quality scores.
Consumer Reports says that its speaker tests are conducted in a dedicated listening room, with experienced testers who compare each model with "high-quality reference speakers." In the case of the HomePod, testers found a few issues.
The bass was "boomy and overemphasized," while midrange tones were "somewhat hazy," and treble sounds were "underemphasized." Overall, Consumer Reports found the HomePod's sound to be "a bit muddy" when played next to the Sonos One and the Google Home Max.
"The HomePod will serve many music fans well, but CR testers did hear some flaws. The HomePod's bass was a bit boomy and overemphasized. And the midrange tones were somewhat hazy, meaning that some of the nuance in vocals, guitars, and horns was lost: These elements of the music couldn't be heard as distinctly as in more highly rated speakers. Treble sounds, like cymbals, were underemphasized. But the HomePod played reasonably loudly in a midsized room."
All three smart speakers "fall significantly short" of other wireless speakers Consumer Reports has tested, like the Edifier S1000DB, priced at $350.
The HomePod's sound has been highly praised both by new HomePod owners and by media sites that tested the device ahead of its release. While Consumer Reports doesn't believe the HomePod outshines the Google Home Max and the Sonos One, other reviews have disagreed, including an extensive, in-depth review published by a self-professed audiophile earlier this morning.
not the best sound.......?!
Re: sound off?!.....Consumer Reports compares HomePod sound...... - Robert M - 02-13-2018
Newton,
One criticism of the Consumer Reports evaluation is that they tested the HomePod in a "professional" setting in the best of conditions rather than a "home" setting where there could be walls and such that could impact the performance.
Meaning, if they'd tested it in a more home-like setting, the HomePod would use its adaptive system to account for an adapt to its surroundings to maximum effect to perform its best. I understand the idea but I'm not convinced enough to buy assessment. If the HomePod can't work its magic properly under the best of circumstances, it kinda makes me wonder how it could do so under inferior circumstances.
'course, I'm also not in the market for a HomePod. Rather, I'd stick with my Echo Dot and connect/pair to a good quality - not audiophile quality - just a good quality external speaker. Good enough for me and _far_ less expensive.
Robert
Re: sound off?!.....Consumer Reports compares HomePod sound...... - davemchine - 02-13-2018
The lack of audio input is a limiter for me as is the Siri only control. Siri doesn’t work well for me in most circumstances so I’m skeptical this would be a good experience.
Re: sound off?!.....Consumer Reports compares HomePod sound...... - Sarcany - 02-13-2018
I think that Apple is going to say that they tested it improperly.
The Consumer Reports test didn't play to the unit's strength.
From the video, they tested it on a bench set in towards the middle of the room.
Apple's "room-sensing" tech is designed to bounce the audio off of nearby walls to optimize sound based upon its environment. It's a serious design flaw for a small percentage of the market as I'm sure that some few people will want to put it out on a coffee table or somesuch. For most people, however, it's likely to sit on a desk or end-table or countertop within a few inches of a wall where it can then "sense" the room's audio qualities and adapt.
...Of course, one might reasonably argue that the test is standardized and if they only tested each unit based upon its best features the results would be greatly skewed and of little value.
Re: sound off?!.....Consumer Reports compares HomePod sound...... - N-OS X-tasy! - 02-13-2018
Given that EVERY OTHER review of the HomePod states that its sound beats the pants off all its competitors and given that today's CR is not the CR of yore, I'm going to take this one with a grain of salt.
Re: sound off?!.....Consumer Reports compares HomePod sound...... - Carnos Jax - 02-13-2018
Ditto. Most of what I heard had suggested the HomePod is actually a wunderkind of a speaker.
Here's one source:
Reddit Audiophiles Test HomePod, Say It Sounds Better Than $1,000 Speaker https://apple.slashdot.org/story/18/02/12/221244/reddit-audiophiles-test-homepod-say-it-sounds-better-than-1000-speaker
Re: sound off?!.....Consumer Reports compares HomePod sound...... - WHiiP - 02-13-2018
CR has NEVER treated Apple products fairly. They go out of their way to find something bad to say.
Using Airplay 2 (when it is released) is supposed to allow you to use the iTunes Equalizer for tweaking the HomePod.
I'll see if I can find it.
Equaliizer
Kirkville
Re: sound off?!.....Consumer Reports compares HomePod sound...... - testcase - 02-13-2018
CR’s “Silent Room” is impressive. When sealed inside, if you listen carefully, you can hear your own heartbeat. :boink:
Re: sound off?!.....Consumer Reports compares HomePod sound...... - richorlin - 02-13-2018
Considering the HomePod is locked to Apple Music, I'm not willing to spend $350 on a one-note product. At least with Sonos you can play anything you want, and it's $150 cheaper. When they are on sale, I can buy two for the same price as a HomePod and set them up in stereo.
Re: sound off?!.....Consumer Reports compares HomePod sound...... - pinkoos - 02-13-2018
davemchine wrote:
The lack of audio input is a limiter for me as is the Siri only control. Siri doesn’t work well for me in most circumstances so I’m skeptical this would be a good experience.
You can absolutely control HomePod by using your iPhone as a remote controller (and I don't mean via AirPlay). I don't know why Apple didn't make this more apparent in their marketing of the HomePod b/c of many users Siri concerns. Apple buried the instructions in the HomePod User Guide right here:
https://help.apple.com/homepod/#/apda0881f90d
Again, this is NOT using AirPlay - you are actually controlling what is streaming down to the HomePod from the cloud with your iPhone.
I have a HomePod and can confirm that this works great.