Find out how to resolve between two HomePods or a Sonos system for a house theater | Cult Tech

HomePods for residence theater

AppleInsider could earn an affiliate fee on purchases made by way of hyperlinks on our web site.

As soon as Apple up to date the HomePod line to assist eARC (HDMI ARC), it grew to become much more interesting to attach the wi-fi audio system to a TV — you simply want an Apple TV 4K (2nd era) or later.

Which means round $600 will get you a pair of recent HomePods in your TV that assist Spatial Audio (Dolby Atmos) while not having to mess with a receiver or connecting cables.

Nonetheless, when you’re keen to shell out $600, there’s the query of whether or not you need to think about different wi-fi sound choices.

Sonos is among the many hottest choices, providing a spread of audio system that join wirelessly, assist AirPlay 2, and loads of different cool options to pair with a TV setup.

Going with a wi-fi residence theater system from Sonos would require a bodily connection to your TV not directly. The Arc and Beam soundbars can use both HDMI or optical, whereas the Ray is relegated to simply optical.

Sonos Beam, Sub Mini and two rear audio system

As soon as you’ve got linked a Sonos soundbar, the rear audio system and subwoofer will join wirelessly, wherever you place them within the room.

Second era Arc and Beam assist Dolby Atmos. Arc has two devoted upward-firing audio system to reinforce spatial audio know-how.

Arc and Beam assist voice management with their included microphones. After all, all soundbar choices additionally assist listening to music, both by way of the Sonos app or AirPlay 2, whereas the TV shouldn’t be in use.

Whilst you can join a single HomePod or HomePod mini to an Apple TV 4K for residence theater audio, we’ll concentrate on stereo pairing HomePod with Apple TV 4K fashions that assist different units linked by way of the TV with eARC.

Equally, two HomePod minis is likely to be sufficient for a small bed room, however solely the bigger HomePods assist 5.1 encompass sound, 7.1 encompass sound, and Dolby Atmos.

A stereo pair of HomePods foregoes the wired connection to a TV, so there is a bit extra flexibility for the position of the 2 audio system.

The HomePods assist Dolby Atmos, however they have no highly effective audio system constructed into their cylindrical form.

Two HomePods

A stereo pair of two HomePod audio system can be essentially the most you’ll be able to hyperlink to a house theater system. The setup doesn’t but assist rear audio system or a subwoofer.

That implies that whereas it is highly effective for a two-speaker setup, it is nonetheless restricted in comparison with Sonos’s choices, which can be added little by little at a later date.

For instance, you can begin with a Sonos soundbar and rear audio system first, then add a subwoofer later if you need.

From the entry-level Ray to the Arc soundbar, every possibility delivers compelling sound high quality for rooms of various sizes. We have examined every Sonos soundbar, they usually all delivered a a lot greater, fuller presence than their designs recommend.

Sonos Ray vs. Sonos Beam

Equally, a pair of HomePods do not take up a lot bodily house, however they’ll fill massive rooms with thunderous sounds.

Sonos helps a dialog mode for clearer speech and an evening mode for decreased spikes throughout quiet instances. We now have discovered these sound options to be helpful over time.

The HomePods can cut back loud sounds to keep away from disturbing different individuals by way of the Apple TV field, however there is not any devoted voice mode for extra audible or enhanced dialogue.

By way of quantity and fullness, the Sonos Ray and a single HomePod are nearly equal. In our estimation, the Beam did not fairly match the 2 paired HomePods. Arc was in a position to outperform two HomePods for this type of comparability.

Some issues to contemplate about utilizing HomePods versus a Sonos system

• Sonos has apps for Android, iOS, Mac, and Home windows. AirPlay doesn’t have the identical compatibility.
• If you do not have a suitable Apple TV field, you will must consider that value as nicely.
• Sonos has its personal voice assistant for audio options.
• HomePod connects to Apple’s Dwelling app for good residence performance.
• HomePod (2nd era) has temperature and humidity sensors inside.

Sonos soundbars vary from $279 to $899, with a $449 possibility in between. A Mini Sub is $429 and the Bigger Sub is $749.

The most cost effective wi-fi rear audio system are from Ikea and Sonos’ Symfonisk line, beginning at $119 every.

An entry-level Sonos residence theater with a Ray soundbar and two Symfonisk bookshelf audio system begins at $517.

This can save a bit of cash in comparison with two HomePods at $598. This might additionally present extra room-filling sound, however it would not assist Dolby Atmos.

A extra full residence theater possibility, sensible for an average-sized lounge, will value about $1,200 with a Beam, Sub Mini, and two One SLs. This setup will beat a stereo pair of HomePods in each manner, however for twice the worth.

The reality is, there is not actually a great direct comparability between two HomePods used for a house theater setup and a Sonos system meant for a similar function.

Hopefully, Apple will add extra audio system to the HomePod lineup with residence theater in thoughts sooner or later.

Individuals on the lookout for a house theater speaker system ought to first think about Sonos audio system. There’s higher compatibility for a wider vary of TVs and residential theater setups.

The flexibility so as to add wi-fi rear audio system, and even as much as two Subs, is an amazing profit for a rising system sooner or later.

It is an optimistic sentiment to consider that Apple is best supporting residence theater use with its audio system, and for the potential for future updates and releases, however there is not any assure that may come to fruition.

On the opposite finish of the spectrum, somebody who plans to have a brand new HomePod close to their TV and would not have a speaker system ought to think about pairing a second HomePod.

Going from a full-size HomePod to a stereo pair sounds extra substantial than simply going from one to 2. The bass enhance and constancy is spectacular, and it could be a great cheap method to take the step as much as a greater residence theater setup.