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To say that the 2nd-generation HomePod announcement was a shock is one thing of an understatement. Whereas there had been some rumblings {that a} new mannequin was within the works, the timing was utterly surprising, arriving on a Wednesday morning in the course of January following the launch of the M2 Mac mini and MacBook Professional.
However what’s even stranger than the timing is the HomePod itself. The HomePod web site provides little indication that it’s a brand new mannequin, and Apple has seemingly gone to nice lengths to design a brand new HomePod that appears and sounds similar to the outdated HomePod. Early reviewers predictably say the brand new HomePod “stays true to the unique” with “beautiful and deep” sound that nonetheless presents “expression and punch,” particularly when paired with a second one.
That final level is essential. Whereas music is definitely a serious promoting level with the 2nd-gen mannequin, Apple can also be positioning HomePod as a part of your “cinematic house theater expertise,” a function that wasn’t initially out there when the primary mannequin launched. Certainly, early accounts say a HomePod pair is “nice at including top when it comes to positioning sounds to match the motion on the display screen” and delivers “good readability, good bass, and nice dimensional audio.”
Sound high quality was by no means HomePod’s drawback.
Foundry
In fact, sound high quality was by no means HomePod’s challenge. Like iPod and AirPods, music was HomePod’s one fundamental job and it did it extraordinarily properly. Whereas some audiophiles criticized it for being too bass-heavy, the HomePod was extensively considered among the finest standalone sensible audio system round at its value. It was restricted to Apple Music (or AirPlay from an Apple system), and couldn’t simply perform as a Bluetooth speaker, nevertheless it definitely sounded good! Everyone knows the way it ended—Apple discontinued HomePod in March 2021 following an uncharacteristic value reduce, presumably on account of flagging gross sales.
In an interview with Mens Journal, Alice Chan, vp of product advertising, stated Apple had “heard extra curiosity than ever for the acoustics of a richer bigger speaker,” which is why Apple determined to resurrect the HomePod. Perhaps that’s true, but when the primary one didn’t survive as an expensive and restricted music speaker, why not re-imagine the brand new HomePod as a soundbar? Not solely wouldn’t it have turned heads and re-ignited curiosity within the speaker, however a radical redesign would additionally immediately make HomePod a participant within the house theater area. Together with Apple TV+ and Apple TV 4K, Apple would have a real one-two punch rivaled by no different speaker maker or streaming service.
Arc de triumph
The items are all there. As a stereo pair, HomePod has two 4-inch high-excursion woofers and 10 horn-loaded tweeters with particular person neodymium amplifier magnets, greater than sufficient to rival the Sonos Arc’s 11 Class-D amplifiers, three angled silk-domed tweeters and eight 2-inch by 3-inch elliptical woofers. In reality, Apple already needs you to purchase two HomePod audio system with Apple TV 4K “to get pleasure from Dolby Atmos audio for an entire cinematic house theater expertise.” What if that included utilizing a pair of HomePod minis for rear audio system and full encompass sound?
About the one factor it might really want is an extended, flatter design and a pair of HDMI ports. A HomePod soundbar might nonetheless be a music participant, Dwelling hub, and always-on Siri speaker, however with a brand new give attention to the house theater. Perhaps a Dialogue mode that enhances conversational speech or a Film mode that leans extra towards motion or explosions.
Two HomePods are higher than one, so why didn’t Apple construct a multi-channel sound bar as a substitute?
Foundry
Apple already encourages you to purchase two HomePods at $299 every. So even when a HomePod soundbar price $799 and an additional $199 for 2 HomePod minis, it might nonetheless be cheaper than a Sonos Arc system with two rear One audio system. And the design can be a lot friendlier for house theater use than two fairly tall audio system that might hinder sure views of your tv.
I’m not aware of gross sales figures for the unique HomePod or preorders for the brand new one, however I doubt anybody who has an authentic HomePod is speeding out to purchase a 2nd-gen mannequin. Aside from a temperature sensor and the power to inform you when it hears an alarm, the press releases saying the audio system might have been the identical—Apple doesn’t even point out the unique HomePod anyplace on the positioning as some extent of comparability.
As an alternative of a sequel that basically builds on the unique, Apple’s second try at making a high-end high-fidelity speaker for the house looks like a rerun. And I’m afraid it’s going to have the identical ending as the primary one.
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