Apple HomePod 2 Review | Don't buy one. Buy two!

Some are arguing that the new 2nd Gen HomePod could be a tough sell for Apple, but I've always wondered if a stereo pair of HomePods could make a formidable system. Is a pair of new Apple HomePods good enough to best soundbars and other powered speakers as a full home entertainment or home theater system? I think you'll be surprised by what I found out.

00:00 Intro
01:25 What’s new in Gen 2?
06:23 It takes two
09:04 Serious Surround Sound
11:52 Sound quality
13.42 The Bottom Line

SUBSCRIBE FOR THE LATEST VIDEOS

VISIT DIGITAL TRENDS

In our studio:

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our channels.

FOLLOW US!

#bestsoundbars #soundbar #bestsoundbar #hometheater #bestof #soundbars #audio #digitaltrends #sonos #sony #samsung #dolbyatmos #dolbyatmossoundbar #vizio #sennheiser #bose #zvox

[Caleb_Denison]

Hey everyone! Thanks for watching. Hard to rate this speaker given such a specific use case. Also, couple of clarifications: Sorry if I didn’t make this clean in the video, but any TV audio can be routed through an Apple TV to the HomePods via ARC or eARC. TV streaming apps, game console, cable box, Blu-ray player, you name it. Virtually no latency — not enough to notice, I still have to measure. Also, still testing volume control using various TVs, will update soon.

[markwilson]

Thanks! I love my HomePod (1st Gen) pair for excellent stereo sound. And now I ordered a pair of (2nd Gen) HomePods to listen as is or use together to make a ‘quad stereo sound’ with Apple Music. Hope it works. Will let you know.

[hito]

Apple: " We sell smart speakers"
Caleb: " Nah, you sell TV speakers!"
Great review.

[chrissummers]

I have a pair of HomePods for my tv and love them. They work flawlessly with an Apple TV 4K and never lose connection. I’m no audiophile but I love watching movies and tv with my HomePods. I use to have a sound bar but the HomePods out perform it by a wide margin.

[rubenfuentesjr.]

Apple needs to update the HomePod mini to be surroundsound speakers.

[TheModernrenaissance]

I literally searched for a video like this 20 minutes after it was posted. Perfect timing and saved me from continuing down the rabbit hole of sound bars!

[mendodsoregonbackroads]

It is an entry level home audio speaker with Smart capability. That’s nice that most people are fine with sound that is “good enough” the HomePod Mini is available for them. The mini sounds OK, I have one and seldom use it, the Home Pods get used all day almost everyday. The new and OG HomePods are for people that want room filling sound without paying thousands. This fits the price point of Sony and Sonos speakers.

[AlexPlatin]

Theoretically, if Apple enabled up to 4 HomePods to be connected in the future and really went for it to create a true spatial audio room sound, do you think this could rival or even surpass the sound quality generated from the Sony HT-A9 system? While watching this video I kept thinking of the similarities here!

[robertop.]

Thanks! Hi Caleb, as always, a nice review! I would love to buy the Klipsch sevens or nines, but, for now, I need a temporary solution for a smaller apartment/ Studio (PRICES in Dubai)...I am torn between:
- Klipsch Fives (US$ 600)
- Pair of Homepod 2 (US$ 980)
- Bose 900 (US$ 1000, without subwoofer) and
- Samsung Q990B (US$ 950)...not really a fan of the overall esthetic/ design and rear speaker system.

So, considering that I will be using it 70% for Music and 30% for Movies..which one is the best buy, in your opinion? THANKS! ( I am an Iphone, Mac user, but stream music also from Spotify and Youtube, Tidal, etc)

[davdidit]

Maybe a dumb question, or I missed it but what if you have a separate blu ray player or a game console, how would that work? Thanks!

[we]

It would be so great if they could release a software update that allows you to make it in a surround sound system! It would be interesting to have 5 or 9 HomePods all around!

[hiortintexasracing]

I agree with this.
I got two for the purpose of actually downsizing my equipment footprint for a move and I’m very pleased. As mentioned the deep bass of a subwoofer can be missed, but not by much.
I also noted that the ATV will play the audio out to the pair as well as over the HDMI at the same time, so you COULD have a sub connected to your amp as well.

[lukerider]

Love mine as a pair. One side note with “one” more piece of Apple hardware, an old AirPort Express, you can add a powered subwoofer to the mix and now, altogether it’s amazing.

[InfamousHp]

YOU LITERALLY ANSWERED EVERYTHING I WAS THINKING! Ever since the announcement I was questioning getting 2 of these vs the Vizio ATMOS sound bar for the living room

[spearmintaltoid]

Review aside…

Gotta give DT/Caleb their flowers for how far these videos have come. Been watching since 2018. Congratulations.

[Y-J]

I purchased these as a pair and they sound phenomenal for a something so tiny. The arc feature is a game changer with the HomePods being able to play everything through them.

Apple need to make a sound bar or allow multiple HomePods to be paired for this to be a complete system.

[peterlazarov]

I have a pair of the old HomePods for my entertainment room and can 100% agree with everything said here. I can add only one thing. They have ARC support which is super useful when switching from the Apple TV to my cable box where I can use the HomePods as well..

[jasonblair]

I have been using a pair of HomePod 1 in the bedroom as my sound system for tv and music. Yes I do have Apple TV 4K so I can enjoy the spacial audio and Atmos. I got them used and they have been great for me.

[joeschmoe]

You’ve opened my eyes to something I’ve never thought of, I’ve had my LG C8 for years and have just recently been thinking of a sound bar when I upgrade to an LG C2, although I don’t have an Apple TV 4K, I’m pretty invested in the Apple ecosystem so this would be really great

[jimmyzbike]

Apple knows how to advertise. Their ad made me start looking for reviews. Thanks for the great video