Can’t you send them back? The connectivity issues sound like a legitimate reason for returning as defective.

You should’ve understood it’s capabilities before buying. You want a great deal for $99

I think most people into hifi realize the homepod isnt an ideal product and overpriced like all apple products.

I will disagree with neg on HomePods, I have 2 series 1 in my bedroom, I find the sound superior to 3 soundbars I tried. I like my sound flat (not a bass head) and I find them very satisfying in that area. Yes they do not play super well with non Apple, but my lg tv, my Roku box and Apple TV all work fine.

There us a distinct fullness the minis do not have - but come on tiny speakers physically are limited

My experience anyhow

I got two of these things for free with my internet subscription. One of the worst freebies I have ever been given.

I mean, it’s supposed to be a smart speaker and lifestyle product, so what do you expect. I mean for what it is, it actually sounds really good, but it is by no means on an objective scale great.

It’s kind of like how the MacBook and iPhone built in speakers are great for what they are, but overall, they’re still terrible (granted, of course a HomePod is better sound than a MacBook.

It’s sad because I’m sure apple has the ability with their engineering if they wanted to they could make some of the best sounding audio gear in the world, but of course, that’s not their industry or target consumer so they don’t and won’t.

Also, I’m not very fond of soundbars either. Something that would be considered hot garbage on here, the klipsch pro media 2.1 pc system, even is better than the majority of soundbars I’ve heard.

Ideally, get some bookshelf speakers and a subwoofer and build yourself a 2.1, or if you want to go all out, some tower speakers and build yourself a surround sound if you so desire.

You bought a lifestyle product, (even worse, an Apple product), expecting audiophile sound and you have complaints.

There is a common misconception that because Apple products look neat and are over-priced they are actually worth using or fit everyone’s needs.

I don’t believe they were meant to be HiFi but despite (in theory) having some cool technology underneath to adapt sound to the environment they sound terrible to my ears. However I mostly listen to Rock and suspect Pop may be what it’s trying to conform to

They’re not audiofile/hifi for sure.

I copy pasted this title from the /r/HomePods subreddit so apologies it’s not actually an unpopular opinion. Still wanted to share my review and rant as an audiophile noobie

Nobody here thinks Homepods are “great”. The people who do think they are great probably don’t see a need for improvement.

Not unpopular. It’s a lifestyle product more than a hifi or home theater speaker. I’d buy a sonos 10/10 times for the type of application these products provide.

A good set of active speakers with HDMI ARC is where I think all purpose hifi/home theater could be headed.

I doubt it’s an unpopular option in this sub.

Apple is quality in a very specific way, the kind of way that refuses to play nice with non-Apple products. As for connectivity issues between Apple products, that more of a Apple puts their fingers in their ears and shouts can’t hear you can’t hear you doesn’t count if I can’t hear you nah nah nah nah nah

For smart phone purposes Apple is great. For home audio purposes Apple is so far off my radar it’s not even an option being considered and rejected, it’s just not an option

One of Apple’s most disappointing products, a fatiguing listen. Yet the minis are really pretty great - go figure.

Those are in no way audiophile.