If you ’re calculate for a overbold speaker capable of delivering immersive spatial audio , there are two devices that might immediately add up to take care : theApple HomePod 2and theAmazon Echo Studio .
Both loudspeaker system earned an impressive 4.5 - star from our reviewers , but which is good ?
We ’ve put the HomePod 2 and the Echo Studio headland - to - head to facilitate you decide which loudspeaker system is the best burst for your home .
Pricing and availability
The Apple HomePod 2 came out in February 2023 and costs $ 299/£299 , while the Amazon Echo Studio launched at the closing of 2019 and is currently priced at $ 199.99/£219.99 .
Design
The HomePod 2 and the Echo Studio have similar cylindrical designs with cloth finish . Both verbalizer are also useable in a pick of black or blank . However , there are a number of differences between the two both in full term of style and controls .
The HomePod 2 calculate a lot like the original HomePod . It ’s small at just 168 millimetre tall and the neutral interlock background knowledge assist it to blend into softer environments , but it ’s quite heavy at 2.3 kg .
On top of the speaker is a screen that pulses when you spiel music or interact with Siri . The video display include touch modality control , meaning you may adjure to bet and intermit , adjust the volume and curb down to visit with Siri .
The Echo Studio is much taller and heavier than the HomePod 2 at 206 mm and 3.5 kg . The speaker is wrapped in a coarse , scratch - resistant fabric which , like the HomePod 2 , let the Echo Studio to blend into its screen background rather than draw care to itself .
Unlike the HomePod 2 , the Echo Studio has four forcible buttons , admit volume up , volume down , an Alexa push and a button to issue the mike , effectively keep Alexa from listening in on your conversations .
There ’s also a ring that circle the top of the speaker that lights up whenever you say Alexa ’s name with different colour indicators for different actions , such as book up and microphone off .
Features
The most obvious similarity between the HomePod 2 and the Echo Studio is that both devices are saucy speakers with their own vocalization helper . The HomePod 2 has Siri and the Echo Studio has Alexa .
Both smart help can flirt music , answer questions , declare oneself updates on the news , weather , dealings and sport scotch , and command other supported impertinent home gadget .
One major restriction to the HomePod 2 is that it can not be lay out up or used to swarm music without an iOS gadget . For this ground , Android user will likely have an easier meter opting for the Echo Studio .
With Siri , you’re able to ask the HomePod 2 to run specific artists , albums and songs from Apple Music . you may also listen to Spotify and tracks from other medicine services via AirPlay , though you ca n’t set them as default option or control them via Siri . you could also transfer music from your phone to the HomePod 2 seamlessly by entertain your machine on top of the verbaliser , which is a neat feature film for when you go into your home plate .
Like the original HomePod , there ’s no Bluetooth keep to connect other twist and we did find the HomePod 2 to be a little slow at times , likely due to its trust on AirPlay 2 .
Smart home reinforcement covers a with child number of manufacturing business , include Google , Amazon and Apple itself . This is mostly thanks to the embedded Thread radio set that allows it to supportMatterdevices . Smart home technical school can be controlled through Siri commands once they ’re set up in Apple Home and we discover actions actually happened faster than when we asked Alexa on anEcho Show 8 .
Apple can also say you how warm and humid your room is thanks to progress - in temperature and humidity sensors .
Lastly , you’re able to pair two HomePod 2 machine for stereophonic sound or link up the HomePod 2 to your TV to expend as an Atmos - capable speaker .
The Echo Studio , on the other hand , does number with Bluetooth support , meaning you may connect a wide multifariousness of machine to the speaker unit to flirt music . you may also cast vocal directly from the Amazon Music HD app or through Spotify Connect , which we detect to be the best way to heed on this speaker as Bluetooth offers noticeably small volumes .
Alexa , meanwhile , enable a wide range of skills from checking the atmospheric condition to managing the lights and cardinal heating , withZigbeesupport for compatible smart home plate equipment . Alexa can also play music from your serve of choice , meaning you are n’t restricted to one program when it comes to the vocalism helper as you are with the HomePod 2 .
you could combine two Echo Studios to play music leave and right in two-channel , or add anEcho Subto create a 2.1 system with expectant bass . The Echo Studio can also link up wirelessly to the TV Cube ( 2nd gen ) and Fire TV Stick 4 special K to boost your TV audio .
Audio quality
Both the HomePod 2 and the Echo Studio amount with spatial audio support , meaning music sounds more immersive than that produced through a standard smart speaker .
Both speakers also profit from software that tweaks the sound depending on the elbow room and positioning of the gimmick .
The HomePod 2 offer fantastic audio performance and we rule it to be well the well - sounding saucy loudspeaker system of its size . Spatial audio adds profoundness to tracks , vocals are crisp and clear , and bass is fantastic .
The Echo Studio , meanwhile , is the best - sound Echo speaker system by some length , but not the best - sounding speaker in its damage bracket .
The woofer gives the Echo Studio a stronger and weightier sound than most speakers at its price , but midrange and treble can fall little liken to likewise priced speakers . We found the basso gave cart track a caboodle of superpower and drama , but it could be overwhelming , dominating over vocals and threefold at meter .
Verdict
If you live in an Apple household and are explore for a fantastic - sounding smart speaker with hands - spare smarts from Siri , opt for the HomePod 2 .
If you ’re an Android substance abuser looking for more flexibility when it comes to music service , as well as astray - ranging fresh home support from the Alexa representative help and Zigbee , look toward the Echo Studio or else .
