On Sunday, I wanted to watch Star Trek: Discovery, but with my house still full of extended family, I went downstairs to watch it down in my office. I quickly aborted after turning on the TV and remembering just how bad the sound is from the built-in TV speakers.
I immediately flipped over to the Wirecutter: I’ve been meaning to order wireless speakers to replace the Harman Kardon Soundsticks that I’ve been using as computer speakers for the past twelve years. I figured I’d kill two birds with one stone and order a nice pair that could double as both computer speakers and AppleTV speakers.
For this to work I needed bluetooth speakers, so I had to go with the Wirecutter’s upgrade pick. $250. Pricey, but about what I was expecting to pay.
It was only a few seconds after adding the speakers to my Amazon cart that some Apple Math started creeping into my head:
Wait a second. If I’m paying $250 for these speakers, is it worth $100 more to just to get a HomePod?
The always great reporting by Serenity Caldwell already had me wavering. After listening to this week’s The Talk Show and just a general want to find a need for this device, I was ripe for caving in.
Paired with Rogue Amoeba’s Airfoil (play audio from your Mac to any speaker!) and the AirPlay capabilities of the AppleTV, I’m now a proud owner of a HomePod preorder. We’ll see if it sticks.
(It probably will stick)
So not only has CBS All Access milked $10 from me to watch one show, but it’s also squarely on them that I’ve spent $350 on a HomePod. If only Star Trek: Discovery had been on network TV…