Creating a whole-home audio system is easier when you're fully integrated into a single ecosystem. Apple's HomePod and HomePod mini are incredible additions to your smart home.
See also: Apple's push into AI will create 3 new categories of hardware
As Wesley Hilliard of appleinsider: “In May 2023, I sold my entire Sonos system at home and went all-in on HomePods. I wanted to simplify my Apple Home and enjoy the integration of AirPlay 2, Siri, and my Apple products without the need for third-party apps. I can happily say that I don’t regret the decision. See what it’s like to have a home full of HomePods and how I’ve integrated them into my new space.
In total, my house has two second-generation HomePods in a stereo pair, four first-generation HomePods in two stereo pairs, and five HomePod minis placed in various rooms. This collection has been slowly accumulating over the course of a decade.
The way I decide to buy HomePods is similar to my thought process behind other Apple or smart device purchases. If a new model comes out that will prove useful, I upgrade the main units and rotate the old ones down. The current top-of-the-line HomePods in my home are the ones in the living room, connected in a stereo pair with the latest Apple TV 4K.
Two large HomePods are in a stereo pair and are used with the Apple TV 4K in the living room, while the other two are my office HomePods. The first-generation models still work fine. There is a HomePod mini in each bedroom, one in the full bathroom, one in the kitchen, and one in the workshop in the garage.
See also: Apple 'HomePad' comes with magnetic wall-mounting feature
Apple's HomePods are in a unique position compared to the competition. There are speakers that sound better, are cheaper, and have better smart assistants. But the HomePod and HomePod mini excel not because of a single feature, but because of the sum of their parts. They're the most private smart speakers, and they integrate seamlessly with Apple Home.
The two sets used as TV speakers are pretty impressive. My main home entertainment system previously consisted of a Sonos Playbar, two Sonos Play 1s satellites, and a Sonos Sub, which formed a solid 5.1-channel system before Dolby Atmos. From my testing, the only thing the HomePods couldn’t compete with was bass, as there’s nothing that compares to a dedicated subwoofer.
On the negative side, there are some areas I would like to see improved. First, this is only indirectly related to HomePods, but Apple needs to find a better way to manage Listening History. I would like HomePods to only record what I listen to when I AirPlay or specifically request music during work.
What I don't want is sleep sounds, ambient music, or similar content appearing in my music history. I would like, for example, to have classical music or video game music playing in the kitchen through some automation, but without it overly influencing the suggestions I receive.
Yes, I can completely disable the HomePod's ability to influence the recommendation algorithm, but that shouldn't be the only option. If I want Animal Crossing music to play on my speaker at 1 a.m., I shouldn't have to manually disable the algorithm every time.
See also: Apple's 'HomePad' launch delayed further
I would also like to see Apple improve the capabilities of HomePods when used as a home theater system. Of course, a HomePod soundbar that also functions as an Apple TV would be ideal, but even support for more speakers in a setup would be enough for me.”
