“Apple’s iOS 11.4 update introduced HomePod 11.4 which bought two significant new features to HomePod systems: AirPlay 2 and stereo pairing support,” Jonny Evans writes for Computerworld.
“If you have two HomePod units you can now pair them for stereo audio playback. Technologically, this is much more complex than it sounds,” Evans writes. “Not only is music streamed separately to each HomePod, but the systems must then figure out how to play the music accurately and in time – you do not want one HomePod to be a fraction of a beat ahead of the other.”
“Apple has successfully achieved this, developing its own wireless peer-to-peer direct link tech that brings paired HomePods into accurate sync with each other thanks to the A8-series processors inside them,” Evans writes. “Even the biggest HomePod critics agree that you get excellent music playback from a single system. Apple has done crazy things to audio to achieve this – but are two HomePods better than one? I think so.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Two HomePods, stereo paired, sound absolutely glorious – and that’s pretty much regardless of the shape of the room or where you place them!
SEE ALSO:
iMore reviews Apple’s HomePod: Retina for your ears – June 18, 2018
Can a pair of Apple’s HomePods take on a surround sound theater system? – June 18, 2018
David Pogue reviews Apple HomePod with stereo and multi-room capabilities: ‘Ooh, man’ – June 13, 2018
HomePod stereo pairing took a frustratingly long time to arrive, but it was worth the wait – May 30, 2018
Strategy Analytics: Apple shipped 600,000 HomePods in Q1 for 6% share of smart speaker market – May 17, 2018
The Inquirer reviews Apple’s HomePod: ‘Looks great, sounds fantastic; Siri needs work’ – April 6, 2018
I want another Apple HomePod for sure, maybe two more – March 20, 2018
Sound quality shootout: Apple HomePod vs. two Sonos Ones – March 16, 2018
Apple HomePod: The audiophile perspective plus 8 1/2 hours of measurements; HomePod is 100% an audiophile-grade speaker – February 12, 2018
Apple’s HomePod is actually a steal at $349 – January 26, 2018
Digital Trends previews Apple’s HomePod: Impressive sound coupled with strong privacy – January 26, 2018
Hands on with Apple’s HomePod: Attractive, ultra-high-quality speaker, an excellent Siri ambassador – January 26, 2018
Apple’s HomePod, the iPod for your home – January 25, 2018
One hour with Apple’s new HomePod smart speaker – January 25, 2018
Totally agree. I am astounded everyday at the sound coming out of my paired HomePods.
Yep, clearly an exponential gain.
yup having 2 ears is better than 1 yea for another dumb statement
Unbelievable! Imagine how good home theatre is with 5 or more speakers and digital signal processing from an audio specialist that treats its work as more than a hobby or a gimmick to pump up subscriptions to a compressed music catalogue.
“Imagine how good home theatre is with 5 or more speakers and digital signal processing from an audio specialist”
Yeah, cause the HomePod has how many speakers in it? And, the same criticism could have been made about photography 10 years or so ago.
i got two and its awesome, the sound is great but the price…….ouch
I’m sure my Logitech G430 headphones sound better, on Windows in 7.1 surround sound mode of course.
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