HomePod and iOS 11.3 – Something’s changed.

iOS 11.3 Update is out for HomePod – and it is a massive update:

But what are we getting for 2.36GB – well we don’t know. “General improvements for stability and quality”.

The sound has changed, you’re thinking it too.

Here are some of my thoughts on it:

• Apple is getting the HomePod ready for AirPlay 2 and they obviously needed to re-push all the software. There was either a problem with HomePods version of 11.3 or it was rushed and not as it should have been. Apple has been pushing delta updates to other devices.
• The bass is tighter but less pronounced. (I think). I have no evidence but my ears.
• The mid range is brighter. (I think). I have no evidence but my ears.
• One theory I have is that 11.3 has reset the acoustic room tuning by mistake. Give your HomePod a wiggle and it will re-tune. I think mine sounds a bit more relaxed with the bass again.
• I, like others, did feel the bass was a little pronounced all the time, so maybe Apple adjusted the EQ. We don’t have access to HomePods EQ yet only Apple Music via AirPlay.
• The mid range did get lost at times before 11.3, maybe this is an attempt to fix that.
• Maybe 11.3 has tightened things up based on what it has collected about our room acoustics. (Again I don’t know).
• With HomePod I was expecting Apple to tweak things every now and again. But this is a dangerous game with us audio nerds.
• I would like Apple if they do this to: a) let us keep the previous tuning, b) save presets, c) have access to EQ and d) allow us to tune our own treble and bass.
• Something has changed.