Is HomePod going to create a nightmare for us mixing albums?

Babz · Post by **Babz** » Mon Jun 05, 2017 12:29 pm

First, we'll all have to buy one to check out mixes on.

But if it is "adaptive" depending on what room it's in, does that mean we can never predict how it's going to sound because it will be different in every room?

I know, too soon to tell, but that was my first thought. Always dystopic first reaction, right?

Babz

mikehalloran · Post by **mikehalloran** » Mon Jun 05, 2017 12:54 pm

We'll know when we know.

It may or may not change the consumer listening experience the way that Apple intends, no doubt after some major, initial growing pains.

2.1 stereo was a wakeup call to many but that big hurdle is so last century. This looks like it wants to put it all into one box—again—unless you are using two. BOSE has proved time after time that there are physical limitations to what can do with a 4" woofer but they've made huge $$$$$$$ from mediocre sound.

My gut says that good mixes will still sound good on these and bad mixes will still suck. Anyone want to bet that someone will figure out a compatible subwoofer sooner than later?

I think Apple has missed a boat on this one so far. No integration with AppleTV and/or support for 5 channel AV? That will severely limit its initial potential. Funny thing is that can all be corrected in the firmware. If this shows decent but not spectacular initial sales then AV integration will come and then its potential will be realized. If you have 5 or 7 of these puppies in a room, the lack of a sub should not be an issue.

I'm having dinner with an iOS engineer this evening. I expect that this is going to be discussed.

daniel.sneed · Post by **daniel.sneed** » Mon Jun 05, 2017 1:07 pm

I feel for your first reaction, Babz.
But, right now, you can't predict how bad real life listening conditions are, either.
And, for sure, they are terrific in many cases. I would even say, in most cases...

I hope the next *adaptative* devices will tam worst bugs, such as low frequencies standing waves, and so on.
That's just what some JBL studio monitoring already do.
BTW, my actual car audio system *adapts* to ambient noise level, too.

Wisdom will remain: use your ears, and before buying any expensive listening system, consider acoustic correction first.

dix · Post by **dix** » Tue Jun 06, 2017 5:31 pm

But if it is "adaptive" depending on what room it's in, does that mean we can never predict how it's going to sound because it will be different in every room?

Well, let's wait and see. It may not get popular enough to worry about. ...but that was my first thought too: Great, Phil Schiller is going to be dynamically involved in all mixes that come through a Homepod. Also, what about stereo imaging? Looks like Homepod is designed for the back-to-mono crowd.

bayswater · Post by **bayswater** » Tue Jun 06, 2017 6:13 pm

Wouldn't this actually reduce the variation in sound of a mix caused by room differences?

YouTube · Post by **James Steele** » Tue Jun 06, 2017 6:27 pm

Seems like a good mix currently will still be a good mix with this. Apple can't just have it mess up all the catalog of music mixes before.

dix · Post by **dix** » Tue Jun 06, 2017 7:32 pm

bayswater wrote:Wouldn't this actually reduce the variation in sound of a mix caused by room differences?

I guess it would. Or so one would hope. I'm still not on board with mono only though.

HCMarkus · Post by **HCMarkus** » Wed Jun 07, 2017 12:40 am

Can't be worse than a laptop.

kwiz · Post by **kwiz** » Wed Jun 07, 2017 6:38 pm

James Steele wrote:Seems like a good mix currently will still be a good mix with this. Apple can't just have it mess up all the catalog of music mixes before.

Agreed with your's and bayswaters point.

mikehalloran · Post by **mikehalloran** » Wed Jun 07, 2017 8:44 pm

Had dinner with some Apple folks a couple of nights ago and we discussed what I feel to be the potential shortcomings of the Homepod (no stereo or 5-channel separation when multiple units are in the same room). All agreed it could be addressed in firmware/software updates.

Interestingly, as I was headed for the only open handicapped spot, some guy cut me off, took it and hopped out of his car.

Yes, he did. I did not let it ruin my evening.

bayswater · Post by **bayswater** » Wed Jun 07, 2017 9:46 pm

You'd think with all those shares, he could afford a better car.

YouTube · Post by **James Steele** » Fri Jun 09, 2017 12:44 pm

mikehalloran wrote:Interestingly, as I was headed for the only open handicapped spot, some guy cut me off, took it and hopped out of his car.

Did he have a placard or plate? I'd have called the cops and have him towed. Jerk.

dix · Post by **dix** » Mon Jun 12, 2017 3:29 pm

...we discussed what I feel to be the potential shortcomings of the Homepod (no stereo or 5-channel separation when multiple units are in the same room). All agreed it could be addressed in firmware/software updates.

Mixing music for one beefy speaker, rather than two or more would represent a major shift in the status quo. Virtually everyone mixing today is set up for stereo, and use panning and stereo placement as a big part of their sound.

Interestingly, as I was headed for the only open handicapped spot, some guy cut me off, took it and hopped out of his car.

Ha!

The pic wasn't there when I saw this post the other day for some reason. Is that really his car? Somehow I wouldn't think The Woz would have WOZ as his plates....would he?

YouTube · Post by **James Steele** » Tue Jun 13, 2017 2:58 am

Oh Geez... I just noticed the plates in the pic! So that's really his car? I didn't know Steve had any sort of mobility issues these days.

bayswater · Post by **bayswater** » Tue Jun 13, 2017 8:00 am

[quote="dix"][quote]Virtually everyone mixing today is set up for stereo, and use panning and stereo placement as a big part of their sound.[quote]Watching the video on this, it looks like it's not a simple matter of going from stereo to "one" speaker, or mono. There are 8 drivers in this thing (including 1 LF) and the other 7 HF drivers are independent. There is a processor that analyses the room and uses that information to play music. It may not be stereo, but it isn't mono either. It gets a lot more complicated if you have two of them. Looks like no matter how you mix, the sound is going to be "homepod".

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