HomePod HomePod minis vs Built In Home Speakers

[F1Fan]

Apologies if this exact topic has been discussed, but I didn’t find it in the forum. I am currently building a new home, and we have the option of adding a home audio system with built in speakers in the ceiling. Trying to decide if I should do this or just go with HomePod mini’s throughout the home.

The built in speakers price is about $3,800 for a 4 room system with Sonos. It’s not cheap, but as it’s through the builder it is wrapped into the mortgage, so the sting is less. It would be single zone, meaning all the rooms would have to play the same music (or you could turn the volume down in one room and listen in another - but not 2 different tracks) with 1 amp. Could pay extra for another amp and have 2 zones, but would be costly. The advantages of built in of course are aesthetically its nice, out of the way. Don’t have to worry about finding a place for speakers, especially as in places like the kitchen and bathroom where countertop space is a premium. Don’t have to worry about damaging the speakers with water, etc. Also, the sound quality is pretty good, and sound comes from ceiling so it fills the room. It’s Sonos based, so could link that up to a TV for example and listen to the game while in a different room to the TV. There is an app that can control playback and you could have a physical volume knob in each room so don’t have to reach for your phone, launch and app, just to turn the volume up/down.

Of course for the same # of rooms, the HomePod Mini would be less costly. Would also be able to play different music in different rooms. But I’ve never had a HomePod so I’m not sure how easy it is to manage the different sources, so ow good the sound quality is. Does it link up to TV’s? Is the sound quality good enough to use outdoors, say on a deck? Would it tolerate some degree of weather (the built in speakers in the ceiling would be IP6 rated so can have them in the ceiling of an outdoor living space).

Appreciate any thoughts from those who’ve had built in home speakers or HomePod Mini’s.

 

[ouimetnick]

Depends on what your priorities are. Do you want a small speaker where it’s primary strength is Siri, or do you value a decent sounding system? The Sonos system is for music and other streaming services, no smart assistant.

I personally don’t like installed systems, but I’d go with a Sonos 5 stereo pair for dedicated music, Sonos Arc for TV and HomePod mini for the smart assistant.

If you or your spouse don’t like physical speakers, then get the in ceiling or in wall Sonos setup.

HomePod mini is great sounding for its small size, but it doesn’t hold a candle to dedicated speakers. if you just want music for background listening while you do other things, go with HomePod mini (cheaper than Sonos), but if you actually listen to music while doing nothing but listening, get a dedicated stereo, not a HomePod or multi room hidden speaker setup.

 

[F1Fan]

Thanks for your feedback. Part of my problem is my ignorance of the Sonos ecosystem. I'm pretty heavily embedded in the Apple Ecosystem and understand it pretty well, and of course the advantages of the integration with Siri, etc. But this gives me something to research with Sonos. I'll check the systems you mentioned. Thanks again!

 

[flynz4]

In my view, in 2021, built in speaker systems are probably shooting behind the duck.

It is reminiscent of custom home theater installations 2 decades ago, with expensive, and now outdated video equipment. Now, most will install large flat panel, a sound bar system with a subwoofer and a pair of wireless rear speakers and be done. A half-day home project including the trip to Costco to pick everything up.

I would think whole house audio is primarily background music. Serious listening would likely be with a higher end system in a listing room. Wireless speakers are fine for background music.

Also, rolling costs into a mortgage may sting less, but are not just more expensive, but outrageously more expensive if you keep the mortgage for 15-30 years.

Just my 2¢

/Jim

 

[BobRey77]

I've had both and, imo, traditional built in systems are expensive, inflexible and just more trouble than they're worth. Complicated components along and their messy wiring runs are no longer necessary. Go with the minis and Apple Music and, along with an easily expandable multi-room Siri enabled sound system, you also get the foundation for a smart home thrown in. Paired with an ATV4K in your TV viewing area the HomePods will also provide home theatre. For this part of your system it's worth while to locate and purchase a pair of OG HomePods as they will really improve the home theatre audio performance. Also, because the HomePods are AirPlay speakers, they easily integrate with other AirPlay enabled speakers and devices in your home such as TVs and the current line of Sonos speakers.

 

[Kenny99]

With technology changing every 2-3 yrs. I wouldn’t do a built in system.

 

[F1Fan]

I appreciate everyone’s advice. Sounds like in home/ceiling speakers are falling out of favor.

In my view, in 2021, built in speaker systems are probably shooting behind the duck.

It is reminiscent of custom home theater installations 2 decades ago, with expensive, and now outdated video equipment. Now, most will install large flat panel, a sound bar system with a subwoofer and a pair of wireless rear speakers and be done. A half-day home project including the trip to Costco to pick everything up.

I would think whole house audio is primarily background music. Serious listening would likely be with a higher end system in a listing room. Wireless speakers are fine for background music.

Also, rolling costs into a mortgage may sting less, but are not just more expensive, but outrageously more expensive if you keep the mortgage for 15-30 years.

Just my 2¢

/Jim

Thanks for the feedback. I agree with you on the mortgage point. Problem is, since it's built into ceiling, would ideally be best done before completing construction, and builder would have to include it in home sale. They won't let me do it separate unless I want to wait till after completion, and would thus have to cut into ceiling of the new home - which I'd prefer not do. But good point on the listening - agreed, this would be for low volume jazz music for a dinner party for example, or for listening to music/podcast as I walk around the house w/ out the need for headphones. Not a must of course, but would be kinda nice.

I've had both and, imo, traditional built in systems are expensive, inflexible and just more trouble than they're worth. Complicated components along and their messy wiring runs are no longer necessary. Go with the minis and Apple Music and, along with an easily expandable multi-room Siri enabled sound system, you also get the foundation for a smart home thrown in. Paired with an ATV4K in your TV viewing area the HomePods will also provide home theatre. For this part of your system it's worth while to locate and purchase a pair of OG HomePods as they will really improve the home theatre audio performance. Also, because the HomePods are AirPlay speakers, they easily integrate with other AirPlay enabled speakers and devices in your home such as TVs and the current line of Sonos speakers.

Sounds like a good idea - that's what I was trying to decide. Looks like consensus is no built in. I'll probably hold out for 2022 before buying either Sonos or HomePod/Mini since home won't be done for another 9 months, possible updates by then? But this was helpful info - gives me some time to research a bit more on Sonos too.
Thanks to all who replied!

BobRey, since you've done it, wondering how hard is it to manage different HomePod minis playing either same or different music through the phone? Is it pretty seemless? That's basically the experience I'm looking for. Walking from room to room and hearing the same thing.

 

[BobRey77]

HomePods are very easy to manage using Siri or your iPhone. When playing the same program in various rooms the sound is always perfectly synchronized and volume levels can be separately adjusted or as a group, again with Siri or from your iPhone. Playing different content in each room is easy as well but I rarely do that. You probably know this already but HomePods work best with an Apple Music subscription. It's not required but highly recommended. One last point is that good wifi is a must. Without sufficient bandwidth and good coverage the HomePods will not work properly and reliably. It's also a good idea to run ethernet to each TV location so you can hardwire your smart TV and the ATV which you will need for Home Theatre mode.