Apple is known for its innovative technology and user-friendly devices, and the HomePod and HomePod Mini are no exception. These smart speakers offer superior sound quality, intelligent Siri voice control, and a sleek design that will elevate any room in your home. But how easy are they to set up, and do they live up to their aesthetic appeal? Let’s take a closer look. The Homepod has been around since 2018 but has never been released in Singapore. Now, the HomePod (2nd gerenation) and HomePod Mini are finally here!
First of all, let’s talk about ease of setup. As an avid Apple user, I was delighted to find that setting up the HomePod and HomePod Mini was a breeze. All I had to do was plug them in and hold my iPhone near them, and they automatically connected and walked me through the setup process step-by-step after downloading the Home app. Unlike other Apple devices like the iMac or the iPad and even the Apple AirPods, the Apple HomePod cannot be used with non-iOS phones. As a home hub, HomePod and HomePod Mini can connect and control all of my smart home devices.
Now, let’s talk about aesthetics. As soon as I unboxed the HomePod and HomePod Mini, I was struck by their sleek and stylish design. The HomePod features a cylindrical shape with a mesh fabric covering that comes in Midnight and White, while the HomePod Mini has a spherical shape with a fabric-covered surface that comes in White, Yellow, Orange, Blue or Space Gray. Both devices are compact and fit easily into my rooms, almost making a home theatre. The HomePod Mini is 3.3 inches tall and fits anywhere while delivering amazing audio.
Diving into the sound quality of these speakers, first, let’s talk about the HomePod. First, I placed both Homepods together to create a stereo pair for wider and more immersive sounds. The bass is richer and the sounds fill up the space in the room more. I connected it to my Apple TV and was blown away by the immersive, high-quality sound. A powerful woofer and bass-EQ mic are designed to deliver rich, deep bass, while a beamforming array of five tweeters produces stunning high frequencies. I watched a few action movies and was thoroughly impressed with the audio quality, as it made me feel like I was right in the middle of the action. Its 4-mic array also detects “Hey Siri” requests from across the room or when music is playing.
I also enjoy using Apple Music with Spatial Audio in Apple Music, where I can listen to tracks from my favourite artists and playlists with even more detail and layering, and a greater sense of envelopment in the music. My favourite genres are pop, rock, and acoustic! Their automatic room sensing and advanced computational audio ensures brilliant sound, no matter where HomePod is placed.
I tested out the HomePod Mini’s sound quality with Apple Music. While it may not be as powerful as the HomePod, it still produced excellent sound quality, especially considering its size. It is able to handle a range of genres and delivers clear, well-defined sound with accurate bass and a good level of detail. With incredible 360-degree sound featuring rich, clean bass and detailed high frequencies at any volume, I can enjoy my favourite music and podcasts from across the room. I enjoy using it to listen to classical music in my bedroom as I wind down for the day.
The Homepod and HomePod Mini are also my intelligent assistants. Saying “Hey Siri” or touching and holding the top of the HomePod allows me to play the same music on various HomePod speakers, different songs on separate HomePod speakers, or even use the HomePod speakers as an intercom to broadcast messages to neighbouring rooms using multi-room audio with AirPlay. Siri can also recognise the voices of each family member in my home. If you have other smart home devices that are compatible with Apple’s HomeKit, you can control them with Siri on both the HomePod and HomePod Mini.
Overall, I was extremely impressed with the sound quality of both the HomePod and HomePod Mini. They both delivered powerful, high-fidelity sounds that exceeded my expectations. Whether you’re using them for movie nights, listening to music, or just want a smart home hub, both of these speakers are definitely worth considering.
The HomePods retail at S$429 and the HomePods Mini retail at S$139.
