The Apple HomePod (2nd Gen): A Great Sounding Speaker for the Apple Ecosystem
The Apple HomePod range of smart speakers may not be the obvious choice for everyone due to its strong focus on Apple’s ecosystem. However, for die-hard Apple fans, the HomePod offers a seamless experience, especially when working with other Apple devices. The original HomePod, launched in 2018, finally has a successor that promises improved features and performance. Priced at Rs. 32,900, the Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) aims to be smarter, more IoT device-friendly, and even tells you the room temperature and humidity. But is it worth the investment? This review explores the new HomePod’s design, features, performance, and whether it’s the right smart speaker for you.
Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) Design and Features
Following the discontinuation of the original HomePod in 2021, the HomePod mini became the only Apple smart speaker available until now. The new Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) is larger and more powerful than the mini, although some features from the original HomePod have been scaled back.
Visually, the new speaker maintains the same design as its predecessor, with minor adjustments to dimensions and weight. The HomePod (2nd Gen) comes in black and white, with a fabric-wrapped exterior and a touch-sensitive top panel that lights up. The black model is a better choice for those who are concerned about dirt and grime, as white can easily become discolored, especially in India.
One major design change is the detachable power cable. Unlike its predecessor, the cable can be removed, but it retains a discreet design, making it appear fixed. The only other components in the box are the documentation.
As with the original HomePod, there are no physical buttons; all control is done through the touch-sensitive top panel. This provides controls for volume, playback, and activating Siri. The panel lights up to indicate when the speaker is listening for commands, or processing requests. The only way to power the speaker off is by unplugging it. You can, however, mute the four-microphone far-field system through the app.
The HomePod (2nd Gen) leverages Apple’s Siri voice assistant and audioOS platform for its functionality. The speaker also supports Apple’s AirPlay protocol, enabling it to work with other Apple devices such as iPhones, iPads, and Apple TVs. To enjoy true stereo audio, you can pair two HomePods together. AirPlay also enables multi-room streaming, and the speaker boasts built-in sensors for temperature and humidity readings.
Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) Specifications and App
Setting up the Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) is straightforward. Bring your iOS device near the speaker, and it will automatically connect to your Apple ID and services. Just like the previous HomePod models, you’ll need an iOS device for setup. Once set up, the speaker is linked to your Apple services under your Apple ID, including Apple Music. The HomePod also supports Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos, with abundant content available on Apple Music.
While the HomePod was once limited to Apple Music for streaming, it now supports other services like Pandora and Deezer through Siri voice commands. Spotify and YouTube Music also work, but only when initiated from an iOS device using AirPlay. Apple Music remains the smoothest and most convenient service to use with the HomePod.
After setup, the Home app on iOS manages the Apple HomePod (2nd Gen). All your Apple accessories, including other HomePod speakers or Apple TV devices, appear in the app, along with temperature and humidity readings from the HomePod itself (when your smartphone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network). You can also inquire about temperature and humidity through Siri using specific voice commands like "What is the indoor temperature?"
These sensors are useful for home automation if you have supported IoT devices linked to your system. The HomePod also supports the Matter IoT protocol. While not widely supported yet, more devices are expected to adopt Matter in the coming months. However, the current range of smart home and IoT functionality and support on the HomePod is still relatively limited compared to Alexa or Google Assistant-powered speakers, and setup can be more challenging.
The Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) has seen some downgrades in specifications compared to the original model. For example, the number of tweeters has dropped from seven to five, and the microphone system has shrunk from six to four microphones. The speaker includes a single four-inch woofer. Apple claims computational audio with system sensing for real-time tuning, potentially fine-tuning the sound based on the environment and other factors.
For connectivity, the HomePod (2nd Gen) features Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5. It’s important to note that you cannot connect a device to the speaker using Bluetooth for audio, as with the original HomePod and HomePod mini. Audio streaming is only possible through voice commands over Wi-Fi or using the Wi-Fi-based AirPlay protocol. The speaker is powered by the S7 chip, which also drives the Apple Watch Series 7.
Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) Performance
The Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) can be considered pricey, especially when compared to devices from brands like Amazon that are platform-agnostic and don’t require integration with a specific ecosystem. However, for iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K, or Mac owners, the HomePod (2nd Gen) offers valuable advantages that justify the consideration.
I placed the Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) in my living room, just below my television and next to my Apple TV 4K. During the review, I used it as the default speaker for the Apple TV 4K and for listening to music via AirPlay from my smartphone or voice commands. Siri-based assistance and Apple’s Intercom were also helpful features.
The most striking aspect of the Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)’s sound quality is its capability far exceeding its size. It’s not a large speaker, yet it delivers a loud, refined sound, which helps explain its higher price compared to similarly-sized speakers from Amazon and Google.
A single HomePod speaker is more than sufficient for handling sound from the Apple TV 4K, offering coverage for a medium-sized room with ease. Setting the HomePod as the default speaker for the Apple TV 4K resulted in seamless activation and flawless connectivity without any latency issues during my review. The sound quality is well-suited for voice-focused content, such as "Clarkson’s Farm season 2" and "Formula 1: Drive to Survive season 5."
With stereo pairing capabilities, two Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) speakers can be wirelessly connected as a stereo pair, boosting the system’s overall power and drive. This pairing also enhances the Spatial Audio capabilities. However, it’s important to note that two HomePods would cost over Rs. 60,000, a price that could easily buy you a decent soundbar with a subwoofer.
A single HomePod setup is likely more practical for most buyers. With one speaker, there wasn’t a significant difference in sound quality between compatible Spatial Audio content and regular stereo sound; the soundstage felt slightly more spacious, but the HomePod (2nd Gen)’s size and shape did reveal its limitations, unlike larger, wider speaker systems.
The Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) is more than just a wireless companion speaker for a streaming box, though its ability to handle this function well sets it apart from most smart speakers. The HomePod excels at its central function as a music output device. The multi-driver setup and computational audio tuning are particularly noticeable here, producing excellent sound with various tracks, genres, and volumes.
With "Obsessed" by Calvin Harris, the HomePod (2nd Gen) effectively captured the track’s upbeat feel, offering a well-balanced bass with just enough drive and thump while leaving space for Shenseea’s dancehall vocals and the deep chorus by Charlie Puth. Shifting to the faster, more complex "Paris (Aeroplane Remix)" by Friendly Fires, the HomePod delivered a room-filling, immersive listening experience that surpasses most other smart speakers or Wi-Fi speakers I’ve tested.
The Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) features four microphones for picking up the "Hey Siri" wake phrase and subsequent voice commands. I experienced no trouble being understood from across the room at distances up to 4m, even while looking away from the speaker. There were a couple of instances where the volume was so high that I needed to speak louder for the wake phrase to be registered, but this wasn’t an issue at lower volume levels.
Smart functionality on the Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) is primarily limited by Apple’s lack of support for many current-generation IoT devices, particularly in India. Other key features, such as Siri’s contextual responses and basic functions like setting timers and alarms, work smoothly and sync with your iPhone and other Apple devices.
Verdict
The Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) is undeniably expensive, and its functionality is too specific for many to consider, especially in India. For iPhone and Apple TV 4K owners, however, the HomePod (2nd Gen) fits seamlessly into the Apple ecosystem, much like that specific Tetris block you’ve been waiting for. It’s a capable audio system for your streaming needs, seamlessly syncing with your iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices, and most importantly, it sounds excellent.
While devices like the Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) may seem like a better value for money, their platform-agnostic approach comes with drawbacks when dealing with specific use cases. The combined appeal of the ecosystem and its interoperability on the HomePod (2nd Gen) is worth considering, although you might want to explore purchasing two (or even three) HomePod mini speakers for a similar price or less.
