Why is the new HomePod so expensive for just 1

I believe it is about 6% cheaper than the original version released in 2018 which was discontinued in 2021. You've seen the advertising. Buy one if you want, or don't. I've have an OG HomePod and several minis. I will be buying a new one, and probably a second one later, as I want the volume and immersive sound that it affords.

tt2

I have no idea what an echo sounds like but after I bought those for my kids, their first complaint is it doesn’t sound anything like your Apple ones, so there you go. If you have other Apple products you’d like to use it with then it makes sense to get the Apple speaker so everything syncs. I use it with my Apple TV, great for movies. I’m a big fan of the HomePods. I have not heard this new one, I ordered it and trust it will be superb. As to will another one come out? Trust me when I say there’s a great demand for these to be resold. However I agree they are pricey but this depends on your budget of course. Only you can decide if it’s worth the money.

Not numbers I have in my head, but a quick search suggests the HomePod minis produce 70db while the original was over 100db. I just know max. volume on a single HomePod mini isn't always as loud as I want to go.

tt2

The big HomePods are considerably louder. Two minis at 100% volume is about the same as one big one at 30% to me. I can hardly hear my mini at 30%, it’s like soft background music. Old music recordings are harder to hear. Newer music like hip hop or R&B is better. I think the echo might be similar to a mini, but I’ve never heard one.

Wait until they release and you can see the reviews

From reviews I have read there are pluses and minuses compared with the OG Homepod. For example fewer speakers but smarter electronics. As others have said, see if you can have a demo in a store. But maybe take your own music rather than rely on demo music that is intended to bring out the best in the device.

As I write this I am listening to INXS in spatial audio via stereo OG Homepods. Great sound but I understand the latest Homepods are better at handling spatial audio.

In terms of volume, how much louder than the mini's?

Thanks. I'll eventually have to get a pair.

Okay, thanks.