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At the beginning of September, the surround sound system consisting of four HomePods existed only in the code. With the second beta of tvOS 27.2, it can now be set up for the first time – however, there's still a flaw that defeats its intended purpose: the same sound plays in the front and back speakers.
Until now, the Apple TV 4K has only supported a maximum of two speakers for output. According to Apple's home theater audio guide, this includes a single HomePod, a HomePod mini, or a stereo pair. However, in the eighth beta of audioOS 27, tuning files for a surround sound system using four HomePods appeared, with separate roles for front left, front right, rear left, and rear right.
The setup itself was missing back then. That has changed with tvOS 27.2 Beta 2: the editorial team at FlatpanelsHD tested the preview version and connected four HomePods to a third-generation Apple TV 4K.
Key Facts at a Glance
- In tvOS 27.2 Beta 2, two pairs of HomePods, i.e. four speakers, can be connected to the Apple TV 4K simultaneously.
- Setup is done via the Home app.
- Roles for the front and rear speakers cannot yet be assigned; all four play the same sound.
- Dolby Atmos and surround sound from video sources already run through the system, menu and game sound only through the front speakers.
What already works in the beta
The Home app allows you to set up two pairs of HomePods as a shared output for the Apple TV 4K. Movies and TV shows with Dolby Atmos or surround sound will then be played through all four speakers.
The rest of the system audio behaves differently. The Apple TV menus and game audio remain on the two front speakers, while the rear speakers are silent.
What's still missing
The crucial step is missing in the beta version: The four speakers cannot be divided into front and rear channels. They all play the same signal, so there is no spatial effect from separate rear channels.
The code explicitly includes this separation. The tuning files from audioOS 27 describe a separate sound processing for each of the four positions; the rear speakers are designed to radiate sound in all directions and fill the space behind the listening position.
| Status | Speakers on Apple TV 4K | Front and rear rollers |
|---|---|---|
| Today (tvOS 27) | a HomePod, a HomePod mini, or a stereo pair | – |
| audioOS 27 Beta 8, Code | four HomePods are planned | Separate voting for each position |
| tvOS 27.2 Beta 2 | Four HomePods can be set up | Not assignable, same tone on all |
From code discovery to hiring
The files in audioOS 27 contained four-speaker configurations exclusively for the second-generation HomePod. A second configuration required two rear speakers, which are not compatible with any sold model. This suggested that the feature might be tied to new hardware.
The beta now shows a different approach: The system can be set up with existing HomePods via a software update for Apple TV. Whether new speakers will later allow for additional setups is independent of this – the basic functionality apparently doesn't depend on them.
The return channels determine the usefulness
As long as all four HomePods are playing the same music, this setup primarily results in increased volume and more even sound distribution throughout the room. True surround sound only emerges when the rear speakers are assigned their own channels. We expect Apple to add the role assignment feature before it appears in a final version – the necessary configuration is already in place.
For owners of a HomePod stereo pair, which already functions as a soundbar with Apple TV 4K, this expansion becomes interesting: a second pair behind the sofa would be the obvious upgrade. However, buying it on spec before the final version is available isn't worthwhile, as its usefulness depends on the lack of role assignment.
Would separate role assignment be a prerequisite for you to get a second pair of HomePods – or is the more even sound in the room enough for you? Tell us in the comments how your home theater is set up with Apple TV.
