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CNET reviewer Tyler Lacoma reports that Apple’s HomePod Mini 2 keeps the original’s compact design but delivered noticeably louder, clearer sound in side-by-side tests. The $150 speaker also adds an S10 chip and microphone, while some anticipated Siri AI features are not yet available.
Apple’s $150 HomePod Mini 2 sounds noticeably louder and clearer than the original HomePod Mini, according to CNET’s side-by-side testing, even though the new speaker keeps the same compact size and nearly identical appearance. The review also found faster Siri conversations, but some of the speaker’s promised AI features are not yet available.
CNET reviewer Tyler Lacoma compared the Mini 2 with the original HomePod Mini and the second-generation full-size HomePod, playing the same audio at the same volume while streaming Apple Lossless music through Apple Music. In repeated comparisons, he found the new Mini had greater range and louder, clearer playback than its predecessor. He said the difference changed his view of the speaker’s value, particularly for listeners who want a small device that can fill a room.
The Mini 2 still did not match the second-generation HomePod, which Lacoma said handled volume and bass better. That larger speaker costs $349, according to the review. The Mini 2 is listed at $150, compared with $129 for the earlier Mini and $100 for Google’s new Home speaker, so Apple’s updated model sits above both of those prices.
Apple’s listed audio hardware description remains similar to the original: a full-range driver and dual passive radiators. Internal changes include an Apple S10 chip for computational audio and upcoming Siri AI features, plus an extra microphone. The exterior remains the same size and shape, with new color options and a Sound Glow mode that pulses the top panel along with music. Lacoma found the lighting effect underwhelming; users can turn it off.
Better Room-Filling Sound at Mini Size
The review suggests the Mini 2’s main case is not a new design or a striking list of hardware specifications, but the sound improvement reported in testing. For people who found the original Mini too limited for music in a room, the stronger playback could make the small format more useful without requiring space or spending for a full-size HomePod.
The price makes that decision less straightforward. At $150, the Mini 2 costs $21 more than the original model’s listed price and $50 more than Google’s new speaker. Buyers weighing the upgrade will need to decide whether the reported audio gains and Apple ecosystem features justify that difference. The review’s findings reflect hands-on testing, not a published technical explanation from Apple for the change in sound.
For current HomePod Mini owners, the results point to a potentially meaningful audio upgrade, while the unchanged dimensions and familiar setup make it a modest change in everyday appearance. People primarily waiting for new Siri AI capabilities may have to wait: CNET says those features are not all available yet.
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What Changed Inside the Familiar Design
Apple introduced the Mini 2 as part of an October push into smart-home products that also included new security equipment and the company’s first HomeView smart display, according to the CNET report. The speaker follows the original Mini’s compact form and basic audio description, making its performance changes less apparent from the exterior or headline specifications.
Apple users can set up the speaker by bringing a compatible iPhone or iPad nearby after installing the latest iOS or iPadOS updates. CNET says the device was detected automatically and transferred settings in less than a minute. Music handoff from an iPhone worked much as it did on the previous Mini, with playback switching quickly during the reviewer’s test.
Controls and additional options are managed through Apple’s Home app. They include toggles for Sound Glow and physical controls, an option to reduce bass, and the ability to pair speakers for stereo sound. The speaker also supports features such as Intercom and sound recognition, which can listen for smoke alarms when the user is away, as described in the review.
“The new Mini 2 had significantly greater range and louder, clearer audio than the first HomePod Mini.”
— Tyler Lacoma, CNET reviewer
Siri Features and Audio Hardware Details
The review says the Mini 2 is built for upcoming Siri AI features, but does not identify when every feature will arrive or list which capabilities are currently unavailable. The report also does not provide Apple’s technical explanation for the sound difference: the company’s description of the driver and passive radiators is nearly identical to that of the original Mini.
CNET’s audio conclusion comes from one reviewer’s comparisons using Apple Lossless audio on Apple Music. The report does not give standardized laboratory measurements, sound levels, or results across other streaming services and rooms. It also does not establish how much of the improvement comes from the chip, audio processing, or other design changes. Readers should treat the listening results as the reviewer’s test findings, rather than independently quantified performance figures.
Watch for Siri Feature Rollout
The next major development for owners and prospective buyers is the arrival of the Siri AI features associated with the S10 chip. The report provides no rollout date, so availability remains an open question. Apple’s software updates may also shape which capabilities users can access after setup.
For buyers deciding now, the clearest evidence in the report is the reviewer’s comparison of sound, setup, and day-to-day controls. Those considering an upgrade can compare the Mini 2’s $150 price with the original Mini and the larger HomePod, while keeping in mind that the full-size model performed better in bass and volume in CNET’s test. Further independent testing and Apple’s release details could clarify the scale of the audio gains and the value of the pending features.
Key Questions
How does the HomePod Mini 2 sound compared with the original?
CNET reviewer Tyler Lacoma reported louder, clearer audio with greater range from the Mini 2 during side-by-side tests using the same music and volume. The report does not include laboratory measurements.
Does the Mini 2 look different?
It has the same size and shape as the original Mini, with new color options. Its top panel also adds a Sound Glow mode that pulses with music and can be switched off.
How much does the HomePod Mini 2 cost?
The review lists the Mini 2 at $150, compared with $129 for the original HomePod Mini and $349 for the second-generation full-size HomePod.
Are the new Siri AI features available now?
Not all of them, according to CNET’s report. The S10 chip is intended to support upcoming Siri AI features, but the report gives no schedule for their release.
Can the Mini 2 be paired with another speaker?
CNET says users can pair it with another model for stereo sound. The review also reports that music handoff between an iPhone and the speaker worked quickly.
Source: cnet.com
