And Apple puts the sound back! The builder emerges HomePod of his hat. If it looks like its elder launched five years ago and retains the price, the new connected speaker has evolved, as 20 minutes could see it during his tests. But for music, home cinema and control of the connected home, the HomePod is not alone in its kingdom and some older competitors, just as (or even more) efficient and more accessible, overshadow it. .
The reissue: Apple’s HomePod (2023)
Five years after its first HomePod, the manufacturer is doing it again with a new iteration of its connected speaker. Few aesthetic changes to the menu. Available in black or white (168 mm x 142 for 2.3 kg), covered with this same mesh fabric which gives it its personality, the HomePod 2023 is installed in a jiffy… as long as you have an iPhone ( or an iPad), an AppleTV 4K or a Mac. Android smartphone owners will go their way! On the one hand, the HomePod is not a Bluetooth speaker, on the other hand, it navigates in the very closed universe of the apple brand.
Inside, Apple reduces the airfoil: a boomer, five tweeters (instead of seven) and four microphones (instead of six) are present. Progress in audio computing justify, according to Apple, this saving.
Compatible with Dolby Atmos (or “Spatial Audio”), but not DTS, the speaker is intended to stream music from an Apple device, and to add sound to films and series via Apple TV 4K. Compatible with the “open” Matter protocol (in addition to Apple’s HomeKit standard), the HomePod, which embeds the Siri assistant, can be used to control compatible connected objects by voice. 349 euros.
Our opinion : Expensive, very expensive, too expensive compared to other speaker systems, the HomePod 2023 is to be reserved for Apple addicted who wish to complete their range.
First tested alone, the loudspeaker offers satisfaction, with a full sound. Spatial Audio has its raison d’être, even if the immersion offered by spatialized music will never be as amazing as with compatible headphones or earphones. Be careful, if Apple Music and Deezer are in the loop, Spotify is not compatible…
Also tested in pairs (i.e. 700 euros for both speakers!), with an Apple TV 4K (obligatory passage to connect it to a television), the speaker is a perfect substitute for a small sound bar. But the HomePod will quickly reach its limits with an XXL screen. Especially since it is impossible to add surround speakers to it. And that Apple does not (yet) offer a subwoofer. The HDMI eARC socket of the Apple TV will however allow you to enjoy a Blu-Ray player or a connected game console: the HomePod will reproduce the sound.
Finally tested in pairs around an iMac, the speaker turned out to be really pleasant to listen to, with a warm, suave sound, highlighted voices, and very well rendered stereo. In Audio Spatial, the result can be surprising this time, depending on the track. Note some disconnections between our two speakers, and a certain slowness when sending sound from an iPhone, rather than asking for it by voice.
Finally, can only deplore the limits of the Siri assistant (always the same!), often timid in its responses, and sometimes really slow to run (even with an irreproachable Internet connection).
The much more economical rival: Amazon’s Echo Studio
Equipped with five loudspeakers (three woofers of 5 cm for the mediums, a Tweeter 2.5 cm, and a subwoofer 13.3 cm), the Echo Studio, from Amazon is larger than the HomePod (200 x 170 mm, for 3.2 kg). But it is Wifi AND Bluetooth. Its configuration allows it to broadcast 360° sound. 199 euros.
Our opinion : Compatible with Amazon Music, AppleMusic, Deezer and Spotify, the device is agnostic as to its audio sources, where the HomePod shuns Spotify. The Echo Studio, which sends its 330 watts generously, offers good sound, even if it lacks a bit of shine. As with the HomePod, two Echo Studios can be paired to sound a television (via a dongle Fire TV or the Fire TV 4K box). But where Apple does not have subwoofer for its new speaker, the Echo Sub box from Amazon will reinforce the Echo Studio. As with Apple, Dolby Atmos compatibility is assured. For its part, the TV connected to the Amazon speaker can be controlled by voice by the Alexa assistant. Alexa which remains much more zealous than Siri for the control of connected objects (here with the Zigbee protocol). Quick, a new Matter compatible version!
The evolutionary competitor: One from Sonos
Anchor point for an audio installation multi-roomthe enclosure Sonos One (in black or white) is not Bluetooth, but can be associated with other brand speakers in an ecosystem that dominates the hierarchy. The One can thus work in a stereo pair, with one of the Sonos soundbars, and even be associated with two other Ones to offer surround sound to its home cinema. Still, here too, the Sonos universe is closed. €229; 435 euros the pair.
Our opinion : AirPlay 2 (i.e. the streaming without loss from an iPhone), the Sonos One can play sounds from all platforms, including Apple Music. In stereo pair on either side of a television, it can also be used in pair surround, which Apple does not offer with the HomePod (or the HomePod mini). Natively compatible with Amazon’s Alexa for controlling connected objects, the Sonos One has also recently had its own assistant. Named Sonos Voice Control, its vocation remains the control of its music and the brand’s speakers, but in no case that of connected objects. Sonos has just announced the replacement of this speaker with the new Sonos Era 100 (sold for 279 euros) which is Wifi and Bluetooth. It may be wise to watch for promotions on the Sonos One, now at the end of its life.
The most complete opponent: Denon Home 150
Compatible with Apple Music, Deezer, Spotify, Amazon Music HD and Tidal, the speaker Denon Home 150 can either work in network (Wi-Fi) or in Bluetooth. Solo or in stereo, it can be coupled with other brand speakers (Denon Home 250 and 350), but also with Home 550 and DHT-S716H soundbars and thus be used as a front speaker or surround. The Denon DSW1H box can also join the hitch.
Our opinion : Small (120 x 187 x 120 mm, for 1.7 kg), compatible with Google Home assistants, Alexa, but also Siri (which is surprising), this two-way speaker will not offer 360° sound, unlike the HomePod. But it has the privilege of being able to play the audio files Hi-Res (up to 192 kHz/24 bits), which can appeal to the most music lovers. As with Sonos, its AirPlay 2 compatibility is assured. It is therefore a good partner for iPhone, iPad…
Controlled from Denon’s Heos application, this speaker also has touch controls. Bonus compared to a Sonos One or a HomePod: three preset buttons are there to access this or that pre-programmed audio source without going through the application. It’s a real plus in use, which avoids handling your smartphone to choose your audio source. Another advantage: a USB socket and an AUX input which make it a truly universal device. 249 euros.