The resurrected smart speaker still has a strong sound and an instantly recognisable design. We'll need more time to listen if some internal adjustments have an effect on more than simply the cost.

I listened to Apple's HomePod II speaker for a short while this morning. There were several displays of its might, but I'm only permitted to share with you what I heard in one specific chamber. While I was there, I had the opportunity to hear a new HomePod playing on its own and listen to the stereo pair sound produced by two units, which has a noticeably wider soundstage.

Since the initial edition of the HomePod was discontinued more than two years ago, it has been a while since I have heard one. When I returned to the office, I took our old review device out of the cabinet. I wasn't allowed to snap pictures of the new model, but Apple's marketing images from today demonstrate how little has changed in terms of aesthetics.

Siri animations that light up now span the entire top surface of the second-generation HomePod. The power cord is also easily removable, and the glossy area is likewise indented like on the HomePod Mini, making it more difficult to remove fingerprints. The speaker's appearance stays largely identical, save from these minor modifications and the new 'midnight' colour, which will blend in with black in 98 percent of viewing scenarios. The speaker's weight and height have only been slightly modified.

There are also obvious internal variations between the two full-size HomePods: the first model had seven tweeters, whereas the upgraded model only had five. The microphone array on the 2023 speaker has been downsized from six mics to four. These are probably cost-cutting tactics that led to the reduced price of $299.99 as well as the poor Wi-Fi.

Both include a 'high-excursion woofer,' with the new HomePod's being four inches in diameter, according to Apple. The first-generation gadget employed 'computational audio,' however the second-generation gadget used more advanced computational audio, to automatically alter the room.

The new HomePod still... very much sounded like a HomePod throughout Apple's music presentations, despite some internal changes. The second-generation speaker, like its predecessor, placed a strong emphasis on high-end clarity and detail while maintaining a satisfying richness and multidirectional, room-filling sound. It will undoubtedly rank among the top smart speakers when used alone, alongside items like Sonos speakers and Amazon's Echo Studio.

The two of them did a fantastic job performing 'Hotel California' by The Eagles live. (When we first received a HomePod sample in 2018, we used the similar procedure. Apple loved to use 'Hotel California' during HomePod demonstrations.) However, this was carried out in a controlled demo setting where success was certain.

It is not surprising that Apple did not provide any side-by-side comparisons of the two HomePod devices given how long the original HomePod speaker has been out of production. When comparing them side by side, I'm quite interested to see if the driver reconfiguration is more apparent. Oddly, Apple neglects to mention the new HomePod's superior audio quality in its press statement.

Apple expressly referred to enhancements over the last model when discussing other items, such as the second-generation AirPods Pro that were unveiled last year.

My first impression is that the firm has started from scratch with the 'all-new' HomePod and has addressed the previous model's key flaw, which was that it was simply too pricey. Some individuals might still find it difficult to justify spending $300 on this speaker, even if Apple recently reduced the price by $50.

The second-generation HomePod still feels very much the same, but what's left of the device adds a few new software tricks along with smart home functions like monitoring the room's temperature and humidity and recognising alarms. Still ignored are line-in audio and other wishlist items like Bluetooth compatibility. It keeps acting as a visible fabric-covered container for Apple Music, Siri voice commands, and other components of the Apple ecosystem.

The new HomePod is completely ready for the Matter universe, and Siri and HomeKit are in a better position than they were in 2018. As I mentioned previously, the stereo set will sound fantastic when utilised as Apple TV speakers. Only the higher sound quality (and automatic sound tuning) of the full-size HomePod makes it desirable; unlike the somewhat less priced HomePod Mini, it lacks any extra software features or smart home features.

I'm eager to put the new HomePod to a more difficult test. But for now, it appears that Apple is recycling a concept while Sonos gets ready to redesign its speakers. Even while I don't think Apple has the same level of ambition with this, it has been claimed that the company is investigating much more daring ideas for future speakers. I hope the business would take some chances.

For the time being, it appears that the HomePod's return is just meant to close a sizable gap in the product line and offer customers something with anything but moderate sound quality - at a reduced price. On February 3rd, you'll be able to hear it for yourself.