DXOMARK has released more reports and this time it is the HomePod mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max‘s Audio tests. The former, despite performing well for the size, is nowhere near the competition in score. The iPhone, however, gets a step closer to rankings compared to its sibling.
Apple HomePod mini
To begin with, Apple’s HomePod mini gets a global score of 98. Not that this score is outstanding or anything but it seems to do a good job despite a smaller dimension. To compare, top contenders like Amazon Echo Studio and Google Nest Audio sit at the top with 124 and 112 points respectively.
Do note that this category is for Essential Wireless Speakers(under EUR 200). The report says the speaker produces good timbre, treble, and clear mid-range sounds. Although it has a smaller(8.5cm) height, the 360° sound helps it get a consistent sound throughout with less artifacts.
However, it lacks bass, stereo effect, not-so-high Max volume, and has low-mid tones. Typically, it looks to be suitable for indoors(background music), and casual listening but doesn’t impress as a speaker in a loud party scenario.
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iPhone 12 Pro Max
Apple’s iPhone 12 recently got a score of 73 points but the higher sibling beats it by a point more. And in doing so, Apple’s 2020 top-of-the-line flagship iPhone 12 Pro Max scores a good 74 overall points. It also gets the better of its spiritual predecessor iPhone 11 Pro Max which is three points behind(71).
The device offers good timbre with good high-end/low-end extension and consistent tones at all volumes. The dynamics of sound seem to be good and the report also says the speaker is suited for gaming with good spatial attributes(playback).
Overall, Audio is also good when recording/playing in noisy environments, and selfie-videos’ output is above-average. But it has Cons like occluded microphone placement(while playing/recording), small distortion in loud content, too bright and aggressive trebles.
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