Apple‘s HomePod , the original, is a device that always attracted attention for its sound quality. But it seems that it has not been enough for the company itself to see it interesting to continue it. Hence, it has been discontinued and now some are wondering what alternatives are on the market that offer great sound quality and smart functions. Well, we are going to tell you.
Goodbye to the HomePod
If we talk about Apple’s HomePod , the original model presented in 2018, it is clear that the best way to define it is as a product with great audio quality and many limitations . What’s more, even the current mini model keeps track of it, although there have been improvements in certain aspects such as the price mainly.
The HomePod for the sound quality it offered (it continues to offer as it will continue to be sold until the end of stocks) was a good buy. The problem is that later the user experience and the limitations when using it with other services or even as a speaker of the system weighed on those who did not enjoy the full ecosystem of Apple products and services.
For starters, the HomePod and HomePod mini today can only be used with Apple Music independently. If you want to enjoy Apple Music you have to send the audio signal through AirPlay, because not even the conventional Bluetooth option of other similar speakers offers despite having such connectivity.
Nor is it a device that allows you to connect an external sound equipment through a signal, such as any user’s own Mac. And if it is done through AirPlay, the lag that exists when playing a video and listening to the sound through it makes it a very bad idea.
Therefore, it could be said that it is a device, that they are devices with great sound to enjoy for now (until they launch a new version of the system that allows the use of services such as Spotify or Amazon Music) of Apple Music and a Siri that although it doesn’t work badly, it may not be as versatile as Alexa and its integrations.
Looking for an alternative to the original HomePod
Either for whatever reason, because it has been discontinued or due to these limitations, if you find yourself in the situation of looking for an alternative to the original HomePod that also offers great sound quality and even the possibility of making use of a voice assistant you we are going to show you our favorite options today.
Of course, before the logical option to replace the HomePod is the HomePod mini . The new speaker presented at the end of 2020 would be the first option for all those users who want an Apple product to be the one to replace another company product that is no longer going to be manufactured.
The only thing is that you should know that although the mini model has improved with the use of certain technologies and is much cheaper, it only costs 99 euros , it is also still just as limited . That is, only Apple Music can be used for now with this speaker when listening to music via streaming and without depending on any other device that sends it.
If you want to do it, it will be through AirPlay again, because it does not offer the option of sending via Bluetooth either. And you won’t be able to use it as a system speaker either due to lag. Maybe when playing content via Apple TV + or YouTube you can, because the video and audio can be synchronized, but if your idea is to take advantage of it for tasks such as video or audio editing in applications like Final Cut, etc., forget it .
The only good thing is that as a sound system and despite their size they sound very good. So much so that by buying two HomePod mini you can mount a stereo system that connected to an Apple TV or to enjoy high quality sound at home with your music, podcasts, etc., favorites are very interesting and you would still have money left over what it would cost the HomePod.
However, if you want something more in terms of versatility and you are not a closed user of the Apple ecosystem, these options seem like a better idea.
Sonos one
Sonos as a brand is well known in the audio world and for years it has also offered a series of very versatile options. Thanks to the Sonos app you can configure a wide variety of music services via streaming and also options that together with the rest of the brand’s products or with several of this model allows you to create a very interesting multiroom or stereo system.
The model we are talking about is the Sonos One , a speaker with a very attractive design, available in two colors (black and white) and a very high audio quality. It is a product to take into account and that is not one of the most advanced or of the highest performance and price in the manufacturer’s catalog. But sometimes the price is not everything and the performance that this model gives for what it costs does not leave practically anyone who bets on it dissatisfied.
In addition, as an extra and interesting data, you have options to use both Google Assistant and Alexa. And if for some reason you would like to add other speakers for multiroom, etc., but that do not involve the same investment, you can opt for cheaper models from Sonos or the Symfonisk range from IKEA that is created in collaboration with the brand and integrates with the app. .
Amazon Echo Studio
Amazon smart speakers are the first choice of many users for a number of reasons. First of all, there is Alexa, Amazon’s assistant and platform offers a great user experience, integrates perfectly with a multitude of devices and most importantly: there is a speaker for each type of user according to their needs and the price they are willing to spend.
However, whoever is looking for all that and also sound quality has only one option: Amazon Echo Studio . Because it is true that the Amazon Echo sounds very good also for the price of 99 euros it has, but the Studio model is one step ahead and that shows when it comes to listening to audio with much more body and nuances.
So if Siri does not convince you, if you want a device compatible with multiple streaming services, value its purchase because it is very worth it.
Bose Home Speaker 300
Like Sonos, Bose is another of the great brands in terms of sound and has been proving it for years. In addition, it is one of those companies with a very particular sound that if you have already been able to try other products such as headphones you will love it.
In this case, the Bose Home Speaker 300 is a type of intelligent speaker that integrates with both Alexa and Google Assistant, but the best of all is the sound quality. It offers a very well defined and balanced experience when playing all kinds of music. It is true that its price may be a little higher than the rest of the proposed models, but it is not a purchase that you will regret.
Available in two colors as well, black and white, it can also be combined with other products in the house to have somewhat more complex sound systems, such as multiroom or simply enjoy a stereo combination .
Sony SRS-RA5000
Lastly and also the highest priced alternative of all is the Sony SRS-RA500 . The experience with this speaker is brief, so it is difficult to assess to what extent paying around 500 euros is worth it compared to the rest of the options, but it is the most recent launched by Sony, it offers surround sound, support for assistants of voice and a unique design.
Of course, beyond all this, the truth is that the sound quality draws a lot of attention. It is true that we have yet to test it more thoroughly, in everyday situations and in a more controlled environment, but the making of contact left good impressions and that is why if you are looking for a substitute with a great sound quality for the HomePod, this should be present yes or yes.