HomePod Mini Reviews: ‘Remarkably Big Sound’ Despite Compact Design

HomePod mini reviews have now been shared by media outlets and YouTubers, providing us with the first impressions of the speaker’s sound quality and design. We’ve rounded up some opinions of the speaker below. For more video reviews, see here.

homepod mini comparison

HomePod mini is equipped with the same S5 chip as the Apple Watch Series 5, which Apple says allows the speaker to “analyze the unique characteristics of the music and apply complex tuning models to optimize loudness, adjust the dynamic range, and control the movement of the driver and passive radiators in real time.”

Sound Quality

‘s Brian Heater said the HomePod mini delivers “remarkably big sound” given its size:

I’ve used a lot of different smart speakers in my day, and honestly, I’m really impressed with the sound the company was able to get out of the 3.3-inch device.

It’s full and clear and impressively powerful for its size.

‘s Michael Grothaus offered similar accolades:

Yet despite its much lower cost and smaller size, the HomePod Mini sounds phenomenal compared to other similarly priced speakers I’ve used. Even with the volume at only 40%, the HomePod Mini’s sounds fill up my large living room richly and evenly.

Indeed, the sound blew me away when I first started streaming tunes. It didn’t sound far off from the quality you hear from the original HomePod, yet it sounded twice as good to my ears to the similarly sized sub-$150 wireless speakers I’m used to hearing. After listening to the HomePod Mini for only a few days, when I went back to my old JBL wireless speakers—and even the speakers on my 16″ MacBook Pro (which are fantastic speakers for a laptop)—both now seem tinny in comparison to the quality of the sound from the HomePod Mini.

In his YouTube review, Marques Brownlee likewise said the HomePod mini delivers “big sound”:

See also  Review: Jackery's Explorer 500 Portable Power Station is Useful for Power Outages, Emergencies and Camping

Not everyone was equally impressed. ‘s Dan Seifert said that while the HomePod mini sounds good, it doesn’t sound as good as similarly priced competitors like the Amazon Echo and Google’s Nest Audio:

So it sounds good, but I can’t say the HomePod mini sounds great. And next to the larger Echo and Nest Audio, both of which cost the same, it simply can’t keep up. It doesn’t have the presence, volume, or sound stage of either, and it certainly can’t match the Echo’s bass output. As they say, there’s no replacement for displacement.

Design

‘ David Phelan said the HomePod mini has a “cool, compact design” that is unmistakably HomePod with its mesh covering:

It’s still unmistakably a HomePod though, with the familiar mesh covering that’s soft to the touch, not that you’ll be touching it all that much. And it comes in the same two colors as the original: a dark, smokey gray that’s nearly black but softer-looking, called Space Gray, and white. The white isn’t really white, because of the slightly darker color behind the mesh, making for a subtle but appealing look. Both are attractive and more or less indistinguishable from the HomePod shades.

Reviews confirm that the HomePod mini cable ends with a USB-C port for use with the included 20W power adapter in the box.

‘s Dan Seifert found the HomePod mini’s touch control surface is harder to see from across a room than the Amazon Echo’s glowing ring:

In my testing, I’ve found this light-up panel to be harder to see from across the room than the Echo’s glowing ring. Unless you’re right next to the HomePod mini, it’s hard to tell when Siri has heard your voice command and is responding.

Availability

HomePod mini is priced at $99 in the United States. Pre-orders began Friday, November 6, with the first deliveries to customers and in-store availability set to begin Monday, November 16. In addition to the United States, launch day countries include Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Spain, and the UK.

See also  Review: FINIS Smart Goggle Tracks Your Swim Workouts and Integrates With Apple Health

Related Posts

Exploring Top Free accounting software for small businesses

Exploring Top Free accounting software for small businesses

Accounting is the backbone of any business, big or small. For small businesses, in particular, managing finances efficiently can make or break their success. Thankfully, the advent…

The Evolution and Impact of Time Tracking Accounting Software

The Evolution and Impact of Time Tracking Accounting Software

In the fast-paced world of modern business, time is money, and accurate time tracking is crucial for efficient operations. Whether you’re a small business owner, a freelancer,…

Transforming Project Management Accounting Software

Transforming Project Management Accounting Software

In today’s fast-paced and dynamic business environment, project management has become a cornerstone of success for organizations across industries. Efficiently managing projects, tracking costs, and ensuring profitability…

Open Source Accounting Software for Businesses: Empowering Financial Management

Open Source Accounting Software for Businesses: Empowering Financial Management

In the ever-evolving landscape of business management, the role of technology cannot be overstated. One crucial aspect of business operations is accounting, as accurate financial management is…

The Advantages of Accounting Software with Integrated Payroll

The Advantages of Accounting Software with Integrated Payroll

In the rapidly evolving landscape of modern business, staying competitive and efficient is crucial for sustained success. One of the key aspects of any organization’s operations is…

Accounting Software for Mac Users Solutions

Accounting Software for Mac Users Solutions

In today’s fast-paced digital age, efficient financial management is crucial for businesses of all sizes. The rise of accounting software has revolutionized the way businesses handle their…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *