Apple HomePod 2 speaker VS Amazon Echo Studio: features, differences and price

Apple hasn’t had much luck with the HomePod, its first “smart” speaker. Not because it did not offer high quality sound, but because its price, much higher than competing alternatives, added to the fact that Siri is not on par with the Alexa or Google voice assistants, l ‘gave back unattractive even for users immersed in the brand’s ecosystem.

The success was greater with the HomePod mini, which significantly reduced its price (and also its sound) until it became a more affordable proposition to consider. But a few months ago, Apple returned to its old ways with the 2nd generation HomePod, which repeats the same mistakes as the original model.

If you need to find a direct competitor, Amazon’s Echo Studio is surely your main headache, since it the most advanced proposal from the catalog of the Jeff Bezos company and its price is much lower, especially when it can be purchased on sale (which is common).

We put them face to face to know their features, differences and prices to make the best possible purchasing decision.

Includes Apple HomePod and Amazon Echo Studio

• Dimensions and weight: The HomePod 2nd generation has dimensions of 16.8 cm high x 14.2 cm diameter and weighs approximately 2.3 kg, while the Echo Studio measures 20.6 cm high x 17.5 cm diameter and a weight that reaches 3.5 kg.
• Internal speakers: Amazon’s proposal includes three two-inch midrange drivers, a one-inch tweeter and a 5.25-inch woofer with bass opening. Apple’s comes with a four-inch long-excursion woofer and five horn-shaped tweeters.
• Microphones: The HomePod 2 has four microphones and the Echo Studio has seven microphones.
• Dolby Atmos: Yes, although HomePod requires an Apple TV 4K.
• Screen: The HomePod has an LED screen on top with 19 RGB LEDs arranged in a circle for control, while on the Echo Studio there is only a single button panel.
• Temperature and humidity sensors: Apple’s speaker has these sensors.
• Connectivity: Both devices are WiFi, Bluetooth, and Matter compatible, but the Echo Studio has Zigbee and HomePod Thread, as well as an ultra-wideband chip.
• Others: The Echo Studio includes a combined 3.5mm (analog) and mini-Toslink (optical) line input.
• Précio: The Echo Studio has a recommended retail price of 239.99 dollars, while that of the 2nd generation HomePod is 349 dollars.

HomePod 2 VS Echo Studio, which “smart” speaker to buy?

Although they are two very similar devices, the 2nd generation HomePod and Echo Studio have many differences which allow users to choose one or the other based on their preferences or budget. As mentioned above, even Apple fans may choose to step outside of the ecosystem when it comes to using another voice assistant.

We will then comment the most notable and negative points of each proposalwith the intention of trying to dispel possible doubts when purchasing a “smart” or other speaker.

Strengths and weaknesses of the HomePod 2

• + High quality sound
• + Dolby Atmos support
• + Support for Matter and Thread
• + Integration with Apple Music
• +AirPlay2
• + Standard HomeKit
• + Integration with Apple TV for the audio system
• -Siri
• – It does not have sound inputs like the Echo Studio
• – Its price is significantly higher than that of the Echo Studio
• – Using third-party music services is not very convenient

Strengths and weaknesses of the Echo Studio

• + High quality sound
• + Dolby Atmos support
• + Pairing with Apple Music, Spotify or Amazon Music
• + Support for Zigbee and Matter
• +Alexa
• + Significantly lower selling price than 2nd generation HomePod
• + Integration with Fire TV devices for the audio system
• + Analog and optical line input
• – Its price, being lower than that of the HomePod, can be high for some people

The voice assistant

Let’s be real: Siri leaves a lot to be desired. That it was a pioneer years ago with the arrival of the iPhone 4s does not mean that it continues to be a reference today. Alexa and Google Assistant have overtaken it at full speed and It is much more pleasant to use than Apple’s.

Alexa lets you do a lot of things, and It is possible to teach him to do new things thanks to SKILLSwhich are features installable through the app for mobile devices available on both the App Store and Play Store.

The ecosystem

Apple’s strong point is its ecosystem, but it’s also a double-edged sword. The company ensures that its devices communicate very well with each other, and may not work properly (or at all) with devices from other brands. In this way, she wants users to buy all her products, but the move does not always go very well.

The HomePod might be a good example, since it’s of no use if you don’t have other Apple devices (It can’t even be set up if you don’t have an iPhone or iPad), and is intended for use with Apple Music or to send content via AirPlay 2.

The Echo Studio, in addition to coming with Alexa, it’s more universal in this regard since it can be configured with Spotify, Amazon Music or even Apple Music, making it more versatile.

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