Launched in January, the second generation HomePod has now gone through the analysis of the site DXOMARK. The score obtained by the loudspeaker was exactly the same as that attributed to the first generation of the product: 113. Individually, the new model scored higher on the party (123against 109), but less in the aspects relaxation (104against 107) e films (82contra 96).
In technical aspects, the numbers also show advances and setbacks. Despite advancing in timbre (123 vs. 122), volume (115 vs. 99) e artifacts (111 vs. 56), the new product receded in the evaluation categories spatial (79 vs. 83) e dynamics (92 vs. 100).
The score of 113 put the second-generation HomePod — as well as the first — in the 35ª placement between speakers analyzed by DXOMARK and in 21º among those more advanced. First place, by way of comparison, was the Bowers & Wilkins Formation Wedge (much more expensive), with 160 points.
Among the positive highlights were the 360º audio reproduction, strong bass and a consistent distribution between volume levels. As for the cons, the “aggressive and inconsistent” highs were highlighted, weak performance in dynamics and little to offer in terms of space beyond 360º reproduction.
According to the review, the aggressive highs can sound good on some occasions, although this was not observed in the test. They, however, get in the way when listening to content that contains voices, such as movies and podcasts. The bass, although positive in general, was also pointed out as a negative point because they present a “lack of information” when watching movies, for example, due to the fact that they are artificially generated.
That is, we had some improvements, but the second generation HomePod continues to perform the same as the first, without so many new features. The negative points show how it is still necessary for the Apple speakers to gain improvements in certain aspects of the audio, in particular in relation to the reproduction of voices — even though the sound is heard almost equally at all angles.
HomePod
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