For context I am a big Apple fan and not coming here just to hate. I’m also fairly embedded in the ecosystem with an Apple TV, AirPods, Mac, iPhone, etc.

I bought the HomePods per a recommendation from a friend and ever since I’ve regretted not just buying a sound bar instead. My list of grievances:

• I’d expect plug in speakers at the size, price, and needing to get plugged into be louder and have more bass.
• Nonstop connectivity issues that aren’t user friendly. Sometimes there’s a lag in connecting, sometimes I need to plug it out and plug it back in, sometime I want to connect to just my HomePods and not my Apple TV, and sometimes I want to be able to disconnect easily. Yes most of these things are doable but none of them are easy.
• Even with an Apple TV I can’t play things like my Xbox audio through the HomePods because of no eArc and an older tv
• This one isn’t technically Apple’s fault but serious lag with Spotify. Skipping songs or fast forwarding ads on podcasts is a pain

I honestly expected a lot more from Apple given the emphasis on quality and that I was paying a premium on these speakers. Had I known all of these friction points I would’ve opted for a Sony soundbar instead