I think was a good review -- about as objective as it could be. In order to evaluate a listening experience, at some point one has to listen to music that is familiar -- if only to compare it with ones other listening experiences -- the same, good, better, worse, and why.
It does me no good to listen to unfamiliar songs that others prefer as I have no point of reference.
However, if you suggest a song that sounds good to you -- I can try to find it, to see if it sounds good to me too (regardless of whether I like the song or not). If it does, likely, I will play the song on other speakers (available to me) to see how it compares... That has value -- even if I never play the song again.
Also, it is useful to play the song thru iTunes where one can avoid the Siri deficiencies and, optionally, adjust the EQ settings to suit one's listening preferences.
The instrumentation and graphs provided in some reviews are of some use -- but it really comes down to what sounds good.
I can't define what sounds good, but like porn, I know it when I hear it!
Sure! Here's one that stood out to me the other day: I think the song "Autumn" by The Chapin Sisters sounds just fantastic on my HomePod. The vocalizing harmonies are clear and they are front and center (as they should be), but the bass still provides some oomph, and the instruments are all distinguishable.
I think was a good review -- about as objective as it could be. In order to evaluate a listening experience, at some point one has to listen to music that is familiar -- if only to compare it with ones other listening experiences -- the same, good, better, worse, and why.
It does me no good to listen to unfamiliar songs that others prefer as I have no point of reference.
However, if you suggest a song that sounds good to you -- I can try to find it, to see if it sounds good to me too (regardless of whether I like the song or not). If it does, likely, I will play the song on other speakers (available to me) to see how it compares... That has value -- even if I never play the song again.
Also, it is useful to play the song thru iTunes where one can avoid the Siri deficiencies and, optionally, adjust the EQ settings to suit one's listening preferences.
The instrumentation and graphs provided in some reviews are of some use -- but it really comes down to what sounds good.
I can't define what sounds good, but like porn, I know it when I hear it!
Sure! Here's one that stood out to me the other day: I think the song "Autumn" by The Chapin Sisters sounds just fantastic on my HomePod. The vocalizing harmonies are clear and they are front and center (as they should be), but the bass still provides some oomph, and the instruments are all distinguishable.
Oooh, that does sound nice. Playing an excerpt from the iTunes Store. Hadn't heard of that group or the song. You can really goose the bass with the bass booster EQ setting. I especially like the album: A date with the Everly Brothers.
I think was a good review -- about as objective as it could be. In order to evaluate a listening experience, at some point one has to listen to music that is familiar -- if only to compare it with ones other listening experiences -- the same, good, better, worse, and why.
It does me no good to listen to unfamiliar songs that others prefer as I have no point of reference.
However, if you suggest a song that sounds good to you -- I can try to find it, to see if it sounds good to me too (regardless of whether I like the song or not). If it does, likely, I will play the song on other speakers (available to me) to see how it compares... That has value -- even if I never play the song again.
Also, it is useful to play the song thru iTunes where one can avoid the Siri deficiencies and, optionally, adjust the EQ settings to suit one's listening preferences.
The instrumentation and graphs provided in some reviews are of some use -- but it really comes down to what sounds good.
I can't define what sounds good, but like porn, I know it when I hear it!
Sure! Here's one that stood out to me the other day: I think the song "Autumn" by The Chapin Sisters sounds just fantastic on my HomePod. The vocalizing harmonies are clear and they are front and center (as they should be), but the bass still provides some oomph, and the instruments are all distinguishable.
Oooh, that does sound nice. Playing an excerpt from the iTunes Store. Hadn't heard of that group or the song. You can really goose the bass with the bass booster EQ setting. I especially like the album: A date with the Everly Brothers.
A great album, another one that shines on HomePod for sure.
...interesting. Author admits to not using echo or Google home. Cool. But then compares their sound quality, which home pod excels in. But when it's time to compare Siri to them, he leaves that out.
That's like me comparing multitasking on my note 8 to IPX. Of course it wins .But when I get around to Samsung's face ID, I don't emphasize it's shortcomings.
Get real on your assessment dude
Multiple people handled the review. I clearly explained that portions comparing to Amazon and Google were provided by Max and Vadim.
Get real on your reading comprehension dude.
Did you buy chance test playing an ALAC ripped CD via iTunes vs. MP3 versions to see how different they sound on the HomePod? Or have you seen any comparison like that.
Heard it today at an Apple Store and was decidedly
underwhelmed. The store was relatively quiet, and over the course of selections
from various genres, the sound quality proved only okay at best. Without any
EQ, it was sorely lacking in the mids. I also perceived that Apple's vaunted
HomePod algorithms are not benign (i.e., do no harm) to all recordings; there
seemed to be a shift of emphasis in too many recordings' mixes.It'll
be fascinating to see whether any SQ improvements are delivered with subsequent
firmware updates.
If someone is really interested in an actual in depth review from someone mainly interested in the incredible sound in this thing I recommend this review:
I was just heading here to post that very same link. It turned up on my twitter feed because Phil Schiller posted it.
Th reviewer carefully detailed his test equipment and his environment then asked other people on the group to peer review his findings. When he came across results that were too good to true he checked again and then again confirm. I wasn’t at all surprised to learn the chap is a medical student.
Possibly the best technical review of any gadget I’ve read in years.
The group seems to agree with his findings, but wonder if Apple might have even better results if the Homepod was mounted on a pedestal.
Anyway, I’m buying one (the HomePod, not a pedestal).
Comments
Or have you seen any comparison like that.
Heard it today at an Apple Store and was decidedly underwhelmed. The store was relatively quiet, and over the course of selections from various genres, the sound quality proved only okay at best. Without any EQ, it was sorely lacking in the mids. I also perceived that Apple's vaunted HomePod algorithms are not benign (i.e., do no harm) to all recordings; there seemed to be a shift of emphasis in too many recordings' mixes.It'll be fascinating to see whether any SQ improvements are delivered with subsequent firmware updates.
https://www.reddit.com/r/audiophile/comments/7wwtqy/apple_homepod_the_audiophile_perspective/du5j2hk/