After spending quality time with the Treblab HD-360 Pro, I’ve come to appreciate what this Bluetooth speaker represents: excellent audio that’s good enough for home use but just happens to be wireless for portability — unlike Apple’s excellent-but-limited HomePod 2.
In a market saturated with speakers that promise much but deliver mediocrity, HD-360 Pro stands out by focusing on what matters most — genuine audio quality backed by serious hardware. And at roughly half the price of great home speakers like HomePod 2 but with the option of portability, it’s worth considering, depending on what you want in a speaker.
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Treblab HD-360 Pro speaker review
For home or outdoor use, Treblab's high-tech Bluetooth speaker features 360 surround sound and a 90-watt, five-driver system with subwoofer and eight bass radiators. Pair it with a second one for true stereo sound.
- 360-degree sound with big bass
- 22-hour battery-powered portability
- Universal Bluetooth compatibility
- IPX4 water resistance
- USB-C charging
- Heavy, with no carrying handle
- Touch controls can be unresponsive
- No smart assistant or app control
- Glass top panel vulnerable to damage
This is a hands-on review of Treblab HD-360 Pro wireless portable speaker, not strictly a comparison of it to the excellent HomePod 2 wired smart speaker. That would be a bit too much of an apples-and-oranges thing. But some comparisons are hard to resist because they’re similar in several ways. So while it might seem odd to compare the portable Treblab to the decidedly not portable HomePod, it’s not crazy.
To name a few examples of similarities, the speakers take almost the same size and shape, offer high-quality Spatial Audio, and can be paired with another speaker for true stereo sound. So they’re both good for home use. But Treblab’s speaker features the option of portability and outdoor use. After that, most of the differences focus on compatibility that is narrow (HomePod) versus broad (Treblab), price that is low (Treblab) versus high (HomePod) and a few feature differences. Take your pick of what matters to you.
Table of contents: Treblab HD-360 Pro speaker review
- Design and build quality
- The portability advantage
- Audio performance
- Sound quality compared to premium home speakers
- Connectivity and features
- Ecosystem lock-in dilemma
- Practical use cases
- Value proposition
- Limitations
- Final verdict
Design and build quality
HD-360 Pro has a wide cylindrical shape, with the lower two-thirds comprising a metal shell with four vertically oblong cut-outs that showcase the bass radiators. Featuring a premium aluminum body, this speaker immediately communicates durability and thoughtful construction.
The upper third of the speaker is wrapped in a mesh fabric and complemented with a touch display at the top. While the glass control panel is aesthetically pleasing with subtle Treblab branding, I found the touch-based controls can be annoying to use, sometimes requiring multiple taps to respond from sleep mode.
At 5.72 pounds, HD-360 Pro has substantial heft. The lack of a handle ensures a cleaner aesthetic but makes the speaker particularly challenging to carry with one hand. I found myself gripping it by the radiator cutouts when moving it around, which works but isn’t ideal. The speaker’s dimensions are H 5.79 x W 5.79 x D 7.68 inches, making it compact enough for most spaces without sacrificing audio performance.
The portability advantage
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
Here’s where HD-360 Pro fundamentally differs from HomePod 2 and other premium home speakers, and it’s a distinction worth emphasizing: genuine portability.
HomePod and HomePod mini lack built-in batteries and need a constant power supply plugged into an outlet to work. While you can purchase third-party battery bases for the HomePod mini, these are aftermarket solutions that add bulk and expense.
In contrast, HD-360 Pro features a built-in 12000mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery providing up to 22 hours of continuous play. During my testing, I consistently achieved over 16 hours of playback at moderate volumes — more than enough for a full day outdoors, a backyard party or a weekend camping trip.
The portability advantage is transformative. I’ve taken HD-360 Pro to my balcony for morning coffee and could bring it to my condo complex’s pool, if it didn’t just close for the season (and if I were that guy, forcing others to listen to his music). The speaker goes anywhere with needing outlets or extension cords. The IPX4 waterproof durability allows the speaker to withstand splashes and light rain, making it suitable for outdoor use that would be impossible with a HomePod.
HD-360 Pro also supports continuous playback while charging for uninterrupted sound wherever you go, offering flexibility home speakers can’t match. But all of that said, HD-360 Pro isn’t the most portable speaker, by any means. At its size, shape and weight, it really needs a handle.
Audio performance
HD-360 Pro’s specifications read impressively on paper: 90W peak audio with 5 drivers and 8 bass radiators for 360-degree surround sound. But specs mean nothing without execution, and this is where Treblab delivers.
The 360-degree orientation of the drivers along with the radiators leads to a booming sound that belies its size. The soundstage is genuinely immersive, filling rooms evenly without the directional sweet spots that plague conventional speakers. Whether you’re sitting directly in front or off to the side, the audio quality remains consistent.
The sound is clean and balanced — at least when the Balanced and 3D modes are on. I found myself gravitating toward the 3D mode most often. When the 3D mode is turned on, the expanded soundstage effect is subtle, but when turned off, the audio feels a little claustrophobic.
It is a bit bass-heavy, but not so much that it bleeds into the rest of the frequencies. The bass radiators deliver impressive low-end punch without overwhelming the mids and highs. I appreciated the depth without muddiness in bass-heavy tunes. The bass mode exists for those who want extra emphasis, though I found it unnecessary for most genres.
Sound quality compared to premium home speakers
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
HomePod 2 is undeniably an excellent speaker. And it sounds better than ever with a high-excursion woofer at the top and five tweeters at the bottom. Reviews consistently praise its amazing bass response and phenomenally good sound when paired with Apple Music.
However, HomePod 2 isn’t always stellar. It can sound bass-heavy at times, with piano on the thin side, somewhat nasally vocals and poorly defined or unfocused strings — all possible consequences of a 360-degree sound dispersion design.
HD-360 Pro handles mid-range frequencies and vocals with excellent clarity. While HomePod 2 excels in computational audio and room adaptation technology, HD-360 Pro’s straightforward driver configuration produces a more consistent, predictable sound profile that many listeners may prefer.
Both speakers support stereo pairing. HD-360 Pro allows pairing two speakers for stereo sound with intuitive touch controls. And with a pair of HomePods, you can enjoy true stereo sound providing clear and detailed audio separation.
However, purchasing two HomePods costs up to about $600, while two HD-360 Pros run around $300 — a significant savings.
Connectivity and features
HD-360 Pro uses Bluetooth 5.0 and delivers on the promise of fast pairing and dependable connection. Within its 33-foot range, the connection holds steady through walls, across rooms, and even outdoors where interference can easily become an issue. I experienced no noticeable lag during video playback, which is crucial for streaming content.
NFC pairing is included, making initial setup even quicker by placing your NFC-enabled phone on top of the speaker for a few seconds.
HD-360 Pro charges via USB-C with fast recharge capabilities within 2 hours. Having USB-C is a major convenience in 2025, allowing me to use the same cable that charges my phone and laptop.
Ecosystem lock-in dilemma
Here’s where the portability advantage extends beyond just having a battery: universal compatibility. HomePod 2 is heavily geared towards music in the Apple ecosystem. It connects via Wi-Fi and Apple’s AirPlay 2, with no Bluetooth, aux-in or other way to get audio into it. Android devices are left in the cold with the HomePod.
HD-360 Pro works with any Bluetooth-enabled device — iPhones, Android phones, tablets, Windows laptops and more. This flexibility makes it genuinely portable not just physically, but across your entire device ecosystem. There’s no vendor lock-in, no requirement for specific apps and no ecosystem prerequisites.
Practical use cases
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
- For outdoor enthusiasts: HD-360 Pro’s 22-hour battery life and IPX4 waterproof rating make it ideal for camping trips, beach days or backyard barbecues. HomePod simply cannot accompany you on these adventures.
- For multi-room audio at home: While both speakers support multi-room functionality, HD-360 better suits home and garden use than outdoor adventures away from home due to its weight. However, its portability means you can easily relocate it as needed without rewiring or finding new outlets.
- For home theater: HomePod 2 works really well with Apple TV 4K and supports Dolby Atmos, offering an impressively detailed, room-filling immersive sound system. HD-360 Pro cannot match this tight Apple ecosystem integration, though it works fine as a standard Bluetooth speaker for TV audio.
- For mixed-device households: If your household uses both Android and iOS devices, or if guests frequently connect their devices to your speaker, HD-360 Pro’s universal Bluetooth compatibility is invaluable.
Value proposition
At approximately $149.99 (though often discounted to $127 or so), HD-360 Pro costs roughly half the $299 list price of HomePod 2.
For that roughly $150 price difference, you’re sacrificing Siri integration, Apple ecosystem features and computational room adaptation. What you gain is genuine portability with 22-hour battery life, universal device compatibility, IPX4 water resistance and sound quality that’s comparable, and even superior in some frequencies, to some ears.
HD-360 Pro delivers serious performance for listeners who demand more than just loud sound. If you prioritize pure audio quality and flexibility over smart home integration, the value proposition is compelling.
Limitations
Photo: Treblab
- Touch controls: The touch panel sometimes requires multiple taps before responding from a sleep state, which can be frustrating.
- Weight without handle: At 5.72 pounds without a built-in handle, the speaker is challenging to carry with one hand. That makes it less portable than lighter Bluetooth speakers.
- No smart assistant: Unlike HomePod’s Siri integration, HD-360 Pro offers basic speakerphone functionality but no voice assistant. It’s not a smart speaker replacement.
- Limited water resistance: IPX4 allows use around water but doesn’t have protection against submergence. Don’t drop this in the pool.
Treblab HD-360 Pro speaker review: Final verdict
HD-360 Pro is not trying to be everything to everyone. It’s a speaker built for people who actually care about sound and want depth, not just volume.
If you’re deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem, use Apple Music exclusively, and want smart home integration with Siri, HomePod 2 remains the better choice — assuming you don’t need to use your speaker anywhere beyond arm’s reach of an outlet.
However, if you value true portability, universal compatibility and excellent sound quality at half the price, Treblab HD-360 Pro is a winner.
HD-360 Pro succeeds by refusing to compromise on what matters most: delivering outstanding audio in a genuinely portable package that works with any device you own. That’s not just a feature advantage over speakers like HomePod 2. It’s a fundamentally different philosophy of what a wireless speaker should be.
For home or outdoor use, Treblab's high-tech Bluetooth speaker features 360 surround sound and a 90-watt, five-driver system with subwoofer and eight bass radiators. Pair it with a second one for true stereo sound.
- 360-degree sound with big bass
- 22-hour battery-powered portability
- Universal Bluetooth compatibility
- IPX4 water resistance
- USB-C charging
- Heavy, with no carrying handle
- Touch controls can be unresponsive
- No smart assistant or app control
- Glass top panel vulnerable to damage
The powerhouse 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.
- Excellent audio, especially in stereo pairs
- Great with Apple ecosystem
- More expensive than the competition
★★★★☆
Treblab provided Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. See our reviews policy, and check out other in-depth reviews of Apple-related items.
David Snow, an expert on Apple hardware and software, writes on a variety of technological and cultural topics for Cult of Mac. They include Apple news, technology buying guides, and features about computer setups and Apple TV shows and movies.
With 30 years of experience covering technology and other subjects, he has written and edited for numerous print and online publications, including CMP Media, TechTV.com, CNET, Wired News, Red Herring magazine, Law.com, The National Law Journal and Law Technology News magazine. Among other roles, he served as executive editor of the Law.com network of websites and editorial director, technology, for ALM Media.
Snow graduated with a B.A. from Syracuse University with majors in magazine journalism and psychology. While there, he worked as a reporter for The Daily Orange newspaper and associate editor of Equal Time magazine.
Founder of the blog At the Waterline, he can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) via @atthewaterline and on Mastodon via @dsnow.
