Review: Apple HomePod — Part 1: Audio Performance<img src="
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On June 9, 2017, during their WWDC Keynote, Apple announced the HomePod. On stage, Phil Schiller said that the HomePod was a "breakthrough home speaker" that would "revolutionize home audio." These are lofty claims. Apple didn't limit themselves to just smart speakers, but would instead revolutionize home audio in general. This promised revolution has made the HomePod is one of the most challenging products we have yet reviewed — not because it's particularly hard to describe (it's a bass-heavy smart speaker) or to use (voice commands, a tap interface, and AirPlay), but because of the weight that Apple's promise carries. Most products — especially speakers — promise big, but the HomePod has had the unique effect of setting expectations just as big. Since its launch, audiophiles that normally wouldn't touch a smart speaker are writing exhaustive reviews and comparing the HomePod to $90,000 stereo systems. Publications that had previously given only the most superficial of audio reviews are writing about acoustics, room correction, and speaker measurements. Does the HomePod warrant this attention? Does it live up to expectations? Does it revolutionize anything? Our attempt to answer these questions will be split into two parts — sound and smart features. We're starting with the HomePod's raison d'etre: audio performance. {/exp:char_limit}
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Review: Apple HomePod — Part 1: Audio Performance
