The secret behind the new Apple HomePod's excellent sound quality could be software advances.

The HomePod resembles previously discontinued models of the smart speaker. Apple recently revived the HomePod, and early reviewers said it sounds even better than previous versions. Experts say the improved sound is thanks to algorithms that use computational power to improve audio quality.

“Computational audio plays a major role in providing the best audio quality to users,” Prakash Khanduri, an audio architect at Ambiq, told Lifewire in an email interview. “All mobile and wearable devices use computational audio to improve the audio quality for these devices in adverse conditions, such as high background noise. The devices use machine learning and conventional digital signal processing algorithms in special processors to improve the audio quality.”

Some tech reviewers have already heard music from the new HomePod, and their reactions have been mostly positive. According to Apple's press release, the secret sauce behind the great HomePod sound is "advanced computational audio for a breakthrough listening experience, including support for immersive Spatial Audio tracks."