Smart speakers have come a long way in the past few years and more and more homes are embracing the voice assistant. The two leading brands in smart audio sales are Amazon and Apple. In this head-to-head, we’ll be comparing Amazon’s flagship Alexa-enabled speaker, the Echo Studio, against Apple’s Siri-powered HomePod, the larger and louder of the two smart speakers in the Apple Canon. Categories include price, design, sound quality and features. Read on to see which of these two speakers is our favorite.
Price
Image used with permission of the copyright holder
Apple’s HomePod is currently priced at $299 on Apple’s website — a $50 discount since the device first went on sale in 2018. Amazon’s Echo Studio starts at $199, a significant $100 cheaper than Apple’s alternative. It also offers a few accessories to add to your cart, like the Echo Sub, which adds extra bass response via a wireless subwoofer for $129.
Both speakers can be purchased in pairs to establish a true left and right stereo experience – the Echo Studios would cost around $400 for the pair, while the Apple HomePod combo would cost just under $600. From a pure pricing perspective, the Amazon Echo Studio delivers at a lower price.
Winner: Amazon Echo Studio
To shape
Image used with permission of the copyright holder
On the outside, the Apple HomePod boasts a seamless mesh fabric that Apple praises for its aesthetic and acoustic performance. Looking inside the HomePod, you’ll find an array of audio technology, including a tweeter and an array of seven tweeters with a horn. In addition, each tweeter, as well as the woofer, has its own custom amplifier.
Amazon’s Echo Studio uses a similar cylindrical design with fabric; however, the design is broken up by a slot in the bottom half of the unit that serves as a port for the internal subwoofer. An additional difference comes down to each company’s choice of user interface with the HomePod featuring a glass touchscreen and the Echo Studio opting for more traditional physical buttons. Inside the Echo Studio there is a woofer, three midrange speakers and one tweeter. While both designs are impressive, Apple stole this category with its more seamless, elegant design and use of a touchscreen.
Winner: Apple HomePod
Sound quality
Image used with permission of the copyright holder
Turn on the Apple HomePod and you might be surprised how much sound the small cylindrical design can produce. It’s not just a speaker, it sounds beautiful. The HomePod’s sound can be attributed to a fine selection of internal drivers, as well as Apple’s audio technology, which we will discuss in more detail in the next section. HomePod delivers a tight bass response that hip-hop and rock fans will love, as well as clarity that vocal and instrumental fans should enjoy.
That said, Amazon’s Echo Studio still takes center stage in the room with sound that’s quite impressive. While the unit didn’t have as tight a bass response as Apple’s HomePod, it still packed a good punch. As we move towards the midrange and higher frequencies, we found that detail was lacking in certain areas, but not enough to detract from the speaker’s enjoyment. While both speakers have impressive performance for their sizes, we have to give Apple’s HomePod the extra credit it deserves for its level of clarity and detail.
Winner: Apple HomePod
Features
Image used with permission of the copyright holder
Before we get into the features each speaker’s virtual assistant brings, let’s take a look at what core technology each offering brings to the table to enhance the user experience. Apple’s HomePod uses computer audio to deliver sound based on the environment around it; if the speaker is moved, HomePod will automatically recalibrate for optimal sound. Users within the Apple ecosystem will enjoy Apple’s inclusion of AirPlay 2 within the speaker, which allows most Apple devices to easily stream audio to the device. When it’s time to summon Apple’s voice assistant, Siri, the six microphones built into the HomePod can hear you no matter where you are in the room.
Amazon’s Echo Studio also analyzes your listening environment to deliver optimal sound based on your room’s acoustics. The Echo Studio also has built-in Zigbee functionality, meaning the device can be paired with a host of smart home devices for easy control. While the Echo Studio doesn’t have AirPlay, the speaker does have Bluetooth connectivity, as well as the ability to stream audio from your Fire TV effortlessly. When it’s time for Alexa to step in, a collection of internal microphones is waiting at the ready. Arguably the most notable feature of the Echo Studio is the integration of Dolby Atmos 3D audio technology; however, we found that music for this format is sparse, but holds promise for the future.
If you’ve had experience with Siri or Alexa in the past, the experience will likely be the same when using each assistant’s smart speakers. Apple’s HomePod includes the Siri voice assistant, which allows users to easily play music, ask questions, or easily control HomeKit devices. On the other hand, Amazon Echo offers similar capabilities to Alexa, your choice of the best assistant will probably come down to personal preference.
When comparing these two products, one thing that is pretty undeniable is the number of audio services compatible with the speakers. For Apple products—Apple Music is currently the only native music playback option. Alexa offers a little more flexibility; it supports a number of services, such as Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, Tidal, etc. The HomePod also doesn’t come with an Aux option, thanks to Apple’s current struggle with the 3.5mm jack. So when comparing the supported features of these two products, Amazon’s Echo Studios comes out on top with more options for you to take advantage of.
Winner: Amazon Echo Studio
Conclusion
Jeremy Kaplan/Digital Trends
For loyal Apple customers looking for speakers with the best sound and stylish design, try Apple’s HomePod. That said, if you want a reliable speaker with great sound and a bunch of features for a much lower price, then the Echo Studio is the choice for you. Let’s say you’re listening to any music streaming service other than Apple Music. In that case, Amazon Echo Studio is the best option for you if you are looking for a voice assistant with music streaming capabilities.
Both speakers will make a great addition to your home or office. Ultimately, the choice you have to make will depend on which voice assistant, Siri or Alexa, you prefer and which streaming service you use.
Editor’s recommendations
Categories: GAMING
Source: newstars.edu.vn