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 sudden, arriving on a Wednesday morning in the midst 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 identical to the previous HomePod. Early reviewers predictably say the brand new HomePod “stays true to the unique” with “beautiful and deep” sound that nonetheless gives “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 be positioning HomePod as a part of your “cinematic residence theater expertise,” a function that wasn’t initially accessible when the primary mannequin launched. Certainly, early accounts say a HomePod pair is “nice at including peak 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 downside.
Foundry
After all, sound high quality was by no means HomePod’s problem. Like iPod and AirPods, music was HomePod’s one foremost job and it did it extraordinarily nicely. Whereas some audiophiles criticized it for being too bass-heavy, the HomePod was broadly thought to be the most effective standalone sensible audio system round at its worth. It was restricted to Apple Music (or AirPlay from an Apple system), and couldn’t simply operate as a Bluetooth speaker, but it surely definitely sounded good! Everyone knows the way it ended—Apple discontinued HomePod in March 2021 following an uncharacteristic worth lower, presumably on account of flagging gross sales.
In an interview with Mens Journal, Alice Chan, vp of product advertising and marketing, 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. Possibly 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 residence 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 truth, 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 residence 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 will actually need is an extended, flatter design and a pair of HDMI ports. A HomePod soundbar may nonetheless be a music participant, Residence hub, and always-on Siri speaker, however with a brand new give attention to the house theater. Possibly 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 value $799 and an additional $199 for 2 HomePod minis, it will nonetheless be cheaper than a Sonos Arc system with two rear One audio system. And the design can be a lot friendlier for residence theater use than two quite tall audio system that might impede sure views of your tv.
I’m not aware about gross sales figures for the unique HomePod or preorders for the brand new one, however I doubt anybody who has an unique HomePod is dashing out to purchase a 2nd-gen mannequin. Aside from a temperature sensor and the flexibility to inform you when it hears an alarm, the press releases saying the audio system may have been the identical—Apple doesn’t even point out the unique HomePod anyplace on the location 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 appears like a rerun. And I’m afraid it’s going to have the identical ending as the primary one.
