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CNET reviewer Tyler Lacoma found that Apple’s $150 HomePod Mini 2 delivers louder, clearer sound than the original Mini in side-by-side listening tests. The speaker keeps the same compact design, adds a newer chip and microphone, and costs more; some planned Siri AI features are not yet available.
CNET reviewer Tyler Lacoma reports that Apple’s $150 HomePod Mini 2 sounds noticeably louder and clearer than the original Mini in side-by-side tests, despite keeping the same compact size and broadly similar advertised speaker hardware. The review also finds that the new model adds an Apple S10 chip and another microphone, while several anticipated Siri AI features are still awaiting release.
For the audio comparison, Lacoma placed the Mini 2 beside the original HomePod Mini and the second-generation full-size HomePod. He played the same tracks at the same volume, streaming Apple Lossless audio through Apple Music, and repeatedly switched between the speakers. He reported that the Mini 2 consistently produced greater range and louder, clearer sound than its predecessor. The larger HomePod still performed best, particularly on bass, but costs $349, according to the review.
The Mini 2 retains the original’s size and shape, and Apple describes both models as using a full-range driver and dual passive radiators. The reviewer identifies the new S10 chip and an extra microphone as internal changes, saying the chip supports computational audio and upcoming Siri AI features. New color options and a lighting effect called Sound Glow are also part of the update. Lacoma found the pulsing light unimpressive and said it can be switched off.
Apple’s setup remains straightforward for people using its devices: an updated iPhone or iPad can detect the speaker and transfer settings, with the review reporting setup in under a minute. In the Home app, users can adjust audio and lighting, pair two compatible Minis for stereo sound, use intercom, and enable sound recognition for smoke alarms. The review lists the Mini 2 at $150, compared with $129 for the original Mini and $100 for Google’s new Home speaker.
A Bigger Sound Upgrade in the Same Footprint
The reported audio improvement gives current HomePod Mini owners a more substantive reason to consider an upgrade than the unchanged exterior suggests. A compact speaker that sounds clearer and can better fill a room may suit listeners who want to stay within Apple’s ecosystem without paying for the larger $349 HomePod. The review’s results are a reviewer’s listening assessment, however, rather than a published laboratory measurement, and buyers should weigh that against the $21 price increase over the original Mini.
The update also shows a split between features available now and those tied to future software. Sound, setup, and Home app controls can be tested today, while the reviewer says the Mini 2’s promised Siri AI capabilities are not all ready. That distinction matters for anyone buying primarily for a new voice-assistant experience rather than improved music playback.
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Same Mini Design, New Internal Hardware
Apple introduced the HomePod Mini 2 as part of a broader October push into smart-home products, according to the CNET report. The announcement included new security equipment and what the report calls Apple’s first HomeView smart display, alongside the speaker update. The Mini 2’s outward design closely follows the earlier model, which the source identifies as the 2021 HomePod Mini.
Apple’s description of the two Minis’ speaker arrangement is nearly identical, and the review does not provide detailed driver specifications explaining the listening difference. Instead, the article records the reviewer’s comparison of real playback. It also notes that the full-size second-generation HomePod produced the strongest results in those tests, especially for bass, at a substantially higher price.
“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 Specs Still Pending
The review says the S10 chip is intended to support upcoming Siri AI features but that users will have to wait for all of them. It does not specify which functions will arrive first, when they will be released, or whether they will require additional software updates. Apple’s stated driver description also does not explain what accounts for the reported sound improvement, and the review does not give independent measurements such as frequency response or sound-pressure levels.
The article’s findings come from one reviewer’s listening tests; it does not establish how every room, music source, or listener will affect the experience. The source also does not provide a full release schedule or clarify availability across markets. Those details should not be inferred from the reviewer’s comparison.
Software Rollouts and Buyer Comparisons
The next major test for the HomePod Mini 2 will be the rollout of the Siri AI features Apple has associated with its new chip. Buyers can compare the reported sound gains with the speaker’s $150 price, their existing Apple devices, and the cost of the larger HomePod. The CNET report does not give a date for the pending Siri capabilities, so readers will need to wait for Apple to announce their availability and requirements.
Key Questions
How does the HomePod Mini 2 sound compared with the original?
In Tyler Lacoma’s side-by-side tests for CNET, the Mini 2 produced louder, clearer sound and greater range than the original Mini when both played the same audio at the same volume. These are the reviewer’s listening findings, not laboratory measurements.
Does the HomePod Mini 2 look different?
The review says it has the same size and shape as the original, with new color options. Its top panel also has a Sound Glow mode that pulses with music and can be turned off.
How much does the HomePod Mini 2 cost?
CNET lists the Mini 2 at $150, compared with $129 for the original Mini. The review lists the second-generation full-size HomePod at $349.
Are all the new Siri AI features available now?
No. The review says the S10 chip supports upcoming Siri AI features, but that users will have to wait for all of them. It does not give a release date or a detailed feature schedule.
Can two HomePod Mini 2 speakers be used together?
According to the review, users can pair the speaker with another compatible model for stereo sound. It also describes iPhone-to-speaker music handoff and Home app controls for settings such as bass and Sound Glow.
Source: cnet.com
