Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)

The Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) has Very Good overall sound quality - although it has some noticeable sonic quirks, this model reproduces music and dialog very well. With "Reduce Bass" preset turned off, as is the default state of the unit, bass has good impact and goes deep, but is somewhat prominent and boomy. Midrange is even, but is somewhat hazy and a touch grainy. Treble is extended, but is a bit subdued, smeared and sizzly and a touch dry. Does a decent job of recovering room ambience, but is a bit congested. Provides a decent volume level in a medium to large sized room, but is best suited for a medium sized room. As a stereo pair they can be placed to provide better stereo separation than many other models and the sense of the width and height of the sound noticeably increases. As a stereo pair tonality and clarity remains pretty much the same as a single HomePod except the room recovery improves, though it remains decent, and the upper midrange is a touch edgy. When connected to the Apple TV 4K, the speaker(s) can play Dolby Atmos content from the Apple TV or from a Dolby Atmos enabled Television. When playing Dolby Atmos material the width and height of the sound stage expands and depending on the program material can fill the front end of the room; audio imaging can extend up and above but remains in the first 1/3rd of the room, but there was no rear surround effect, nor direct above surround effects and sounds that should have been in the rear come from the front. Individual instruments and voices are easy to identify but are two dimensional. Compared to the HomePod Gen 1, the Gen 2 model is less congested and hazy, but a touch more etched. The 1st Gen is dark sounding compared to 2nd Gen HomePod.

Versatility is Very Good. It's a monophonic speaker, with multi-room support with other Apple speakers. Supports stereo pairing with another Apple HomePod (2nd Gen). Wireless: WiFi supports dual-band and it has Bluetooth. Communications: Has support for calling, texting and messaging features. Digital Assistant Muting: Has a non-dedicated, (unlabeled dual button control) to disable the digital assistant by muting its microphones. Audio Connections: Lacks analog audio inputs and outputs. OS Support: iOS. Display: Lacks a video display but the control panel is backlit. Streaming by voice command: Supports voice command of common streaming services such as Apple Music, Pandora, Tune-In, iHeart Radio. Voice ID: Supports voice identity - a feature which allows the account holder with their voice print to access personal information.

Overall ease of use of the Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) is very good. Wireless setup: Setup using iOS or Android device wirelessly initiated by proximity (e.g. NFC), the steps are unambiguous (although instructions may be required) and steps start to finish happen fairly quickly. Console controls: The volume controls are labeled (+/-) on console device. Volume may also be controlled via a natural language command. Audio mute: Unlabeled multi-function button (not involving volume buttons), well placed, clear indication when it is engaged. Microphone mute: Requires additional knowledge to perform action via the product control app. A verbal command can be used but this instruction was lacking. No indication when it is engaged. Source selections: Doesn't require app to be installed, Native switching between streaming sources requires selecting the -cast- (e.g. Airplay) icon in the native or 3rd party supported app. Fairly intuitive but subject to 3rd Party implimentation of cast selection. App remote: The HomePod device selection in the Home app provides a volume control slider that shows persistent position and visual indication of max level, but initially may be difficult to locate (have to press and hold device selection icon to get content player pop up menu), but once found, easy to use. Mute: (Remote) Well marked, well placed, clear indication when it is engaged and mutes the line input. Voice transport controls: Natural language control of transport (Play/Pause/Skip/Mute), volume controls and source selection was easy and intuitive.