With all now posting various setup questions and getting more involved with the “speaker”, I was hoping some could tell me if it’s possible to avoid having two-factor and iCloud Keychains enabled if you just want to AirPlay, ie not interested in any other Apple services.
Or are they still necessary even to get your WiFi info from iDevice to HomePod!
iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2013), macOS High Sierra (10.13.2), 500Gb SSD, 3.1GHz i7
Yes, you must have both:
On the iOS device that you use to set up HomePod, make sure that you signed in to iCloud with your Apple ID and turned on iCloud Keychain. You also need to have two-factor authentication set up for your Apple ID.
From this support article: Set up and use HomePod - Apple Support
Best of luck,
GB
It is years since I last had any serious interest in the audio business, but there was a time when, as an acoustics engineer, I owned and used some of the truly high-end hi-fi equipment available at the time. I worked in concert venues and recording studios, and my company designed and built top-end loudspeakers.
These days, I'm quite happy to curl up with a good book while my 2nd generation Echo is streaming music, or more usually, one of a few favoured UK radio stations. It's not that I'm no longer interested in high quality audio, but I've been there and done that, and now need a rather more holistic approach to relaxing after a stressful day at work. However, the one thing I never achieved (nor, I should add, did anyone else at the time) was large speaker performance from a small speaker enclosure.
Hence my interest in the HomePod. Which is not to suggest the Naim wouldn't likely prove superior, they have a long tradition of excellence in this market after all, just that comparative performance isn't what I am looking for, it's the simple question of whether the HomePod is as good as reviewers suggest, and if it is, discovering how they did it. In a month or two, I will likely revert to my Echo and a good book!
I have one of Naim's "mid-range" systems (which I may have said before), still not cheap but a little more down to earth than there top of the range Statement! It's been a slow road to this level of quality, taking time to evaluate each change along the way, but I've finally got to point that's as perfect for me as I think I will every get, and must say I love the sound it produces. When the music can move you at an emotional level and kind of makes the hairs on your neck stand up you know it's hitting the right spot and you've finally arrived.
Now I realise you can not get a similar experience from "lesser" units or unit, but I always have my home setup as the datum so to speak, when deciding which system to have in my new TT three years ago I actually went with the entry unit, there up market one sounding too bass heavy and yes, too much like Beats. The "cheaper" alternative having fewer amps and speakers just sounded more natural and because of that got nearer to my home setup with respect to balance, that's how I will judge the mu-su Qb, concentrating on how balanced it sounds, the tonal quality, does it convey similar pace and rhythm.
Naim have traditionally done things different, not focusing on just detail or separation, but instead trying to excel in the areas of pace, rhythm and timing as well, it's why I was drawn to there equipment years ago (but could never a afford), for me that approach seemed to get closer to the heart of the music than anything else did, and if the "baby" has a bit of that I will be more than happy.
At the height of my enthusiasm for all things of quality in music reproduction, I came across someone with a basic record player who was as engrossed in the music he was listening to as I was when listening to my hi-fi. I couldn't understand it, the sound was thin, scratchy and lacked detail. But when he said that he wasn't listening to the sound, but the music, I got what he meant.
That's what I have always done, but in chasing the best sound too, I lost focus on the music. Now, whether I play music on the hi-fi or on the Echo - and now, HomePod - it is the music I hear, and the difference in acoustic performance is rather academic as a result, even as I can fully appreciate the difference.
I sort of agree that you mustn't loose site of what it's all about ie the music, but I believe you can chase both objects equally, saying that, if the music from my system didn't connect me at the emotional level I wouldn't be happy, even if it was technically correct or "measured" perfectly!
It's why getting to the level I'm at presently I haven't had the slightest urge to upgrade for over 8 years now (almost unheard of in audiophile circles and much to my dealers dismay), in fact the oldest component is my Linn deck which I obtained back in 1980, yes, it's had upgraded springs, bolts, bearing oil change and new arm, but the main deck is the original and as it left factory.
I sort of agree that you mustn't loose site of what it's all about ie the music, but I believe you can chase both objects equally, saying that, if the music from my system didn't connect me at the emotional level I wouldn't be happy, even if it was technically correct or "measured" perfectly!
Absolutely! My problem was that eventually, the pursuit of the best audio quality became a quest for its own sake, and the music was almost of secondary importance. The guy who was not listening to the sound, but the music, reminded me of the fact that it is possible to emotionally connect with music if you listen to it, and it often doesn't matter what the source is, as long as it conveys the music.
AndyO wrote:
My problem was that eventually, the pursuit of the best audio quality became a quest for its own sake, and the music was almost of secondary importance.
That simple statement has just reminded me of what my Dad once told me to be aware of when I was first got into this HiFi game 😁
Not sure I totally agree but I can see your point, but Apple are free to offer what they want and we are free to accept or not by voting with our feet so to speak!
I personally believe in restricting the setup/connection method to HomePod to just HomeKit they have missed an "opportunity", I understand why they did it, ie push music subscriptions and protect HomeKit devices security, but not to allow a bluetooth option (without Keychain) for those that do not desire anything else but to listen to a little personally "owned" music to me is short sighted.
I still like a lot of what Apple do but must admit there increasingly "walled garden approach" does worry me, yes, we've always had it to some degree when compared to other OS's, but you still had a little flexibility ie. putting your own tunes on the iPod for example. But now it appears they want to move further by just pushing tech that locks out all but there services and that's really not for me.
So I went with Naim and must say the little box produces some nice sounds, it was easy to set up, offered a number of choices on how to get connected and looks good. Will the much talked about HomePod mini offer a little more flexibility if/when it appears, your guess is as good as mine, but I think Apple do listen, especially when it can hit there bottom line, just look at the suggested price for the second gen X!
That's a good point, you are probably right. No problem though, it's a throwaway account I'm using anyway.
Good luck with your listening tests!
I'm so sick of Apple and its lack of support, accompanied by innate, illogical rules. I will begin a movement to "return to DOS".
Don't want 2 factor. Won't do 2 factor. Going back to Amazon's product.
Good for you. You should be secure in the knowledge that you will not have a stringent security setup - fodder for hackers.
Best of luck,
GB
Taking your time and reviewing/comparing what's on offer before the actual purchase is the best part in my opinion, bit like when you were a kid with the lead up to Christmas, then you get to the day and it's all too quickly over!
Just downloaded the Naim Qb manual, and really scratching my head as to why Apple could not match the number of wireless setup options Naim appear to offer, here's the list,
iOS App
iOS Wireless Accessory Configuration
iOS Wi-Fi Key Sharing
Mu So Local Network
Four options, all easy, but the simplest is by far Accessory Configuration, all done from within iOS's own WiFi menu, a couple of clicks and your iPhone is sending the necessary data across to the speaker, including password - after which it's on your network and available for AirPlay, no 2FA or iCloud Keychain required, again why Apple!
Setup HomePod without Two-Factor and iCloud Keychains
