HomePod Mini x2 vs soundbar vs ??

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lookout

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#298619 1-Jul-2022 14:16

Kia ora GZ,

My home theatre setup is about to go into storage while we renovate. I’m quite interested in getting a cheap soundbar to use in the meantime but I also see that using 2x HomePod Minis is a popular option. We are all-in on Apple stuff including an Apple TV 4K so I’m quite keen on that integration.

We don’t need massive volume - just better audio than the Tv speakers and a reasonable music listening experience. I don’t really feel the need for a sub. Bonus if it can make voices easier to hear when watching at low volume but I know that’s best achieved with a centre speaker.

Budget is about $300. There are a couple of options on special:

Sony HTS350 for $255 at JB Hifi

TCL TS6110 for $269 at Noels

Or 2x HomePod Minis approx $300

Any other options I’ve missed?

Handsomedan

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#2937164 1-Jul-2022 14:20

I'd like to know how the HomePods could work if the ATV isn't operating - i.e. using another device or the TV tuner itself to watch something...I am thinking of my own use case which involves watching a lot of Sky through their box.

I have a Soundbar hooked directly into the TV, so anything that plays on that screen will, by default, play on the Soundbar if it's on. Music is usually handled either by Bluetooth to the Soundbar or from the ATV via Apple Music or similar.

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Stu1

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#2937166 1-Jul-2022 14:30

I just got one of these for the kids playroom from the wharehouse , JBL Cinema SB110 they are often down to $150 on sale they are great for a cheap soundbar

lookout

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#2937177 1-Jul-2022 14:42

Handsomedan:
I'd like to know how the HomePods could work if the ATV isn't operating - i.e. using another device or the TV tuner itself to watch something...I am thinking of my own use case which involves watching a lot of Sky through their box.

I have a Soundbar hooked directly into the TV, so anything that plays on that screen will, by default, play on the Soundbar if it's on. Music is usually handled either by Bluetooth to the Soundbar or from the ATV via Apple Music or similar.

I believe it will work with the newest Apple TV connected by ARC. Then anything going through the Tv audio is sent to the Apple TV. But you need the latest model with the bigger grey remote.

davidcole

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#2937178 1-Jul-2022 14:43

Surely a soundbar works out better just for the power management.....1 device over two. And that it's physically connected to the TV (or apple tv is you prefer).

I've got a little bose, connected to my tv via optical. Everything the tv outputs is pushed over optical. That includes playstation, tv tuner or apple tv. And if I really need something off my phone is has bluetooth (yuck), but there are some with wifi as well. Having used a couple of JBLs music link speakers with Google assistant and air play, I'd wonder if they had a wifi enabled sound bar?

And then keep a homepod for somewhere else? Or in the lounge for other content if you did'n't go a wifi sound bar - as the price of those jumps a little from a purely bluetooth one.

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josephhinvest

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#2937179 1-Jul-2022 14:45

I also have an Apple TV and I recently bought the Sony HTS350. It's great. I'm really surprised how much sound it pumps out. I do have a HomePod mini and there's no way it has anywhere near the bass of the soundbar. I didn't really like the idea of the wireless sub but to be honest it's worked flawlessly every time. The other added bonus with the soundbar, assuming you have a TV with and ARC HDMI port free, is that the Apple TV remote is the only one I need day to day. The remote will turn on and off the soundbar, and you can also use the remote app on your phone to control the TV volume.
The soundbar comes with its own small remote (lives in the drawer mostly) and it has different modes for music, voice etc. You can control the sub volume and it also has a night-mode button, reduces the bass.
So yep I was very pleased with the value and the number of features, can definitely recommend.
Oh it was also relatively straightforward to mount on the wall, just two carefully positioned and measured screws (it comes with an excellent paper template)
Cheers,
Joseph

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#2937183 1-Jul-2022 14:52

josephhinvest: I also have an Apple TV and I recently bought the Sony HTS350. It's great. I'm really surprised how much sound it pumps out. I do have a HomePod mini and there's no way it has anywhere near the bass of the soundbar. I didn't really like the idea of the wireless sub but to be honest it's worked flawlessly every time. The other added bonus with the soundbar, assuming you have a TV with and ARC HDMI port free, is that the Apple TV remote is the only one I need day to day. The remote will turn on and off the soundbar, and you can also use the remote app on your phone to control the TV volume.
The soundbar comes with its own small remote (lives in the drawer mostly) and it has different modes for music, voice etc. You can control the sub volume and it also has a night-mode button, reduces the bass.
So yep I was very pleased with the value and the number of features, can definitely recommend.
Oh it was also relatively straightforward to mount on the wall, just two carefully positioned and measured screws (it comes with an excellent paper template)
Cheers,
Joseph

Thanks! I’m definitely leaning towards the Sony now. For the price it seems great.

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jonherries

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#2937191 1-Jul-2022 15:04

lookout:
Handsomedan:

I'd like to know how the HomePods could work if the ATV isn't operating - i.e. using another device or the TV tuner itself to watch something...I am thinking of my own use case which involves watching a lot of Sky through their box.

I have a Soundbar hooked directly into the TV, so anything that plays on that screen will, by default, play on the Soundbar if it's on. Music is usually handled either by Bluetooth to the Soundbar or from the ATV via Apple Music or similar.

I believe it will work with the newest Apple TV connected by ARC. Then anything going through the Tv audio is sent to the Apple TV. But you need the latest model with the bigger grey remote.

Yes - latest Apple TV required (running 15.5) with Homepod minis operating as a pair. Some notes thoughts:

1. Updates are annoying - breaks the ARC

2. The sync/judder occurs over a couple of weeks need to restart homepod minis

3. Sound isn't Atmos - is stereo - but is big and good for the size of the speakers

4. Am looking forward to 16.0 - might have some better reliability/features.

None of these are deal breakers, and I am pretty happy (have another three of these around the house). Am interested in the rumour that we might be getting a new homepod - would be interested in atmos based on my experience.

Jon

lookout

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#2938634 5-Jul-2022 20:35

Update to this thread. I purchased a Panasonic SC-HTB490 Soundbar for $299 and it sounds great. The Sony on display at JB Hifi wasn’t working but the Panasonic was. I took that as a sign and grabbed the Panny but I’m sure that both have very similar performance.

The soundbar is connected to the HDMI arc port on my Samsung TV. As Joseph said above, everything turns on and off with the Apple TV remote. And the best thing is that you can change the volume with the iPhone remote.

But when it has all been off for a while and we turn it all back on by waking the AppleTV there is sometimes no sound at all. I have to turn the Soundbar off and on again. It is only the Apple TV that doesn’t have sound. If I switch to the TV the sound is all good. I have read a few comments online that there is a bug with the audio passthrough on Apple TV. It’s a bit of a pain and hopefully they fix it with firmware. The Apple TV is generally awesome but I’ve never known an Apple product to have this many bugs.

Anyway, cheers for the input everyone.

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#2938710 6-Jul-2022 09:46

i purchased a JBL soundbar for the mother inlaw and have it connected to her 4K TV via ARC. She has an apple TV 4K connected via HDMI to the soundbar. It has worked flawlessly. She clicks TV on the TV remote and FTA TV plays while sending audio via ARC to the Bar. A quick press of the menu button on the Apple TV remote switches the Apple TV 4k on and to the HDMI input on the soundbar. Been working flawlessly for around 6 months including powering down using either remote.

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