Paired for stereo sound, two full-size HomePod smart speakers — the original or second generation — are a thing of auditory beauty. And they don’t just sound great, they look good, too. Yet we don’t see paired HomePods much in computer setups (HomePod minis yes, the big ones, no).
Today’s MacBook Pro setup takes full advantage of Apple audio, however, and the user couldn’t be happier. Well, except with Siri, that is. Check out their setup’s cheerful day version (above) and moody night version (below).
This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.
User showcases stereo HomePods in day and night versions of MacBook Pro setup
Redditor aleksiralda (“AS”) showcased the great-sounding setup in a post entitled, “Day and Night setup with HomePods in Stereo.” They use a MacBook Pro, either open or closed on a laptop stand, driving a 34-inch Dell U3423WE 4K monitor mounted on an arm.
Naturally, people wanted to know about those paired HomePods he mentioned in the post title, which sit on either side of the display. We see plenty of paired HomePod minis in our Setups coverage, but paired original or second-generation HomePods are a rare treat.
That’s probably because many people find buying two full-size HomePods a bit too pricey. But using two HomePods in a stereo pair is a fantastic option for those who don’t mind paying about $600 for the twin speakers.
Paired HomePods issue ‘superb’ sound
“How are the HomePods?” a commenter asked. “Do you use those as surround speakers?”
“Certainly, I have enabled the Dolby Atmos in Apple Music, the sound is superb,” AS replied. “Is loud, I usually set the volume around 20% in nights and around 50% during the day. For movies, sound like a home theater using airplay but is recommended use an Apple TV to play Dolby atmos content, but I don’t have one yet.”
“I am interested in getting one, but I see you have two. Are you running both of them via Bluetooth, or do you have them running wireless?” a commenter asked, though they may have meant “Wi-Fi,” as Bluetooth is “wireless” by definition.
“Well, I’ve bought my first HomePod 3 years ago, the second one was bought last year. The HomePods use WiFi to work,” AS replied. “I usually don’t recommend buying the big HomePod at least you want the best sound, if you only use the Apple ecosystem including the subscription to Apple Music. If you want a smart speaker assistant the HomePod in this moment is not a good deal.”
Sounds like a bit of a Siri diss there. Understandable. But Apple is working on it.
Unconventional webcam and colorful lighting
Another commenters asked if AS uses a webcam, possibly because they saw no indication of one.
“Yes, is placed behind of monitor,” AS replied. “I use my DSLR as webcam. [It’s] supported by a c-holder that you can see like a black tube behind monitor. When a have a meeting I pull down the monitor, the height of camera is [slightly above] my eyes. The cables are placed inside of arm, so you can’t see it. The camera uses USB connected to hub of the monitor.”
And finally, the night shot below benefits from colorful lighting. But it’s not any of the usual suspects — RGB smart lights or light strips from the likes of Philips Hue or Govee, to name a couple of examples — it’s an RGB monitor light bar from a company called WolfBlitz. It’s sold out, so we included another on on Amazon in the gear list below.
Shop these items now:
Photo: aleksiralda@Reddit.com
Computers:
Display and light bar:
Input devices:
Audio:
- HomePods (2nd generation) (2 paired)
- AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
- Anker Soundcore Q30 over-ear headphones
If you would like to see your setup featured on Cult of Mac, send some high-res pictures to info+setups@cultofmac.com. Please provide a detailed list of your equipment. Tell us what you like or dislike about your setup, and fill us in on any special touches, challenges and plans for new additions.
The powerhouse HomePod smart speaker features Apple‑engineered audio technology and advanced software to project high‑fidelity sound throughout the room. It adapts to what it's playing and where it's placed to surround you with immersive audio.
