How to decide between two HomePods or a Sonos system for a home theater

HomePods for residence theater

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As soon as Apple up to date the HomePod line to help eARC (HDMI ARC) it turned much more compelling to attach the wi-fi audio system to a TV — you simply want an Apple TV 4K (second era) or later.

Meaning round $600 will get you a pair of new HomePods to your TV that help Spatial Audio (Dolby Atmos) with no need to mess with a receiver or connection cables.

When you’re prepared to spend $600, nonetheless, there’s a query of whether or not you ought to be contemplating different wi-fi sound choices.

Sonos is among the many hottest choices and affords a spread of audio system that join wirelessly, help AirPlay 2, and loads of different compelling 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 indirectly. The Arc and Beam soundbars can use HDMI or optical, whereas Ray is relegated to optical solely.

Sonos Beam, Sub Mini, and two rear audio system

After getting a Sonos soundbar linked, the rear audio system and subwoofer can be wirelessly linked, from wherever you place them within the room.

The second-generation Arc and Beam each help Dolby Atmos. Arc has two devoted up-firing audio system to reinforce the spatial audio know-how.

Arc and Beam help voice management with their included microphones. In fact, all the soundbar choices additionally help listening to music, both via the Sonos app or AirPlay 2, whereas the TV isn’t getting used.

Whilst you can join a single HomePod or HomePod mini to an Apple TV 4K for residence theater audio, we’ll concentrate on the HomePod stereo pair with a Apple TV 4K fashions which have help for different units linked via the TV set with eARC.

Equally, two HomePod minis is perhaps enough for a small bed room, however only the bigger HomePods help 5.1 encompass, 7.1 encompass, and Dolby Atmos.

A stereo pair of HomePods forgoes the wired connection to a TV, so there is a bit more flexibility for the location of the 2 audio system.

HomePods help Dolby Atmos, however they have no up-firing audio system embedded inside their cylindrical form.

Two HomePods

A stereo pair two HomePod audio system can be essentially the most that may be linked to a house theater system. The setup doesn’t help rear audio system or a subwoofer, but.

Meaning whereas it is highly effective for a two-speaker configuration, it stays restricted in comparison with Sonos’ choices, which will be added to piecemeal at a later date.

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

From the entry-level Ray soundbar to Arc, every of the choices present compelling sound high quality for different-sized rooms. We have tried every Sonos soundbars, and all delivered a a lot bigger and fuller presence than their designs recommend.

Sonos Ray vs Sonos Beam

Equally, a pair of HomePods do not occupy a lot bodily house, however can fill massive rooms with booming sounds.

Sonos helps a dialog mode for clearer speech and an evening mode for diminished peaks throughout quiet occasions. We have discovered these sound options useful over time.

HomePods can scale back loud sounds to keep away from disturbing different folks, via the Apple TV field, however there is no such thing as a devoted speech mode for extra audible or boosted dialog.

By way of quantity and fullness, Sonos Ray and a single HomePod are near equal. In our estimation, Beam did not fairly match the 2 paired HomePods. Arc was capable of exceed two HomePods for such a comparability.

Some objects to contemplate about utilizing HomePods versus a Sonos system

• Sonos has apps for Android, iOS, Mac, and Home windows. AirPlay does not have the identical compatibility.
• If you do not have a succesful Apple TV field, you will have to think about that price too.
• Sonos has its personal voice assistant for audio capabilities.
• HomePod connects to Apple’s Residence app for sensible residence performance.
• HomePod (second era) has temperature and humidity sensors inside.

Sonos soundbars vary from $279 to $899 — with a $449 possibility within the center. A Sub Mini prices $429 and the larger Sub prices $749.

The most cost effective wi-fi rear audio system are the Ikea and Sonos Symfonisk line which begins at $119 every.

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

This may save slightly bit of cash in comparison with two HomePods at $598. This might additionally present extra immersive sound across the room, however it will not help Dolby Atmos.

A extra full residence theater possibility, sensible for an average-sized front room, goes to price nearer to $1,200 with a Beam, Sub Mini, and two One SLs. This configuration will trump a stereo pair of HomePods in each manner, however for double the worth.

The reality is there’s probably not an excellent direct comparability between two HomePods used for a house theater setup and a Sonos system meant for a similar goal.

Hopefully, Apple provides further audio system to the HomePod line with residence theater in thoughts, sooner or later.

Individuals in search of a house theater speaker system ought to take into account Sonos audio system first. There’s higher compatibility for a wider vary of TVs and residential theater setups.

The power 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 feeling to imagine that Apple higher helps residence theater use with its audio system, and for the potential of future updates and releases, however there is no assure that may come to fruition.

On the opposite finish of the spectrum, somebody who’s planning on having a brand new HomePod close to their TV and does not have a speaker system ought to entertain the concept of pairing a second HomePod to pair.

Going from one full-sized HomePod to a stereo pair sounds more substantial than merely going from one to 2. The increase in bass and constancy is spectacular, and can be an excellent low-cost manner of taking the step in the direction of a greater residence theater setup.