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Four HomePods around the sofa, and even when turning away from the TV, sound is still directed to the left and right: The code of the release candidates shows how Apple is completing the home theater system with four speakers. However, there's a catch for existing Apple TV owners.
With the Release Candidates of iOS 27.2, tvOS 27.2 as the next stage of tvOS 27, and HomePod software 27.2, the software with which surround sound across four HomePods is set to launch is now available. The code was analyzed by the leaker pdfu. In the iOS RC, he found the setup flow for the home theater on the iPhone, and in the HomePod software, a second playback mode listed in the code as "Whole Room Audio."
The new fourth-generation Apple TV 4K remains a prerequisite. Apple states in footnote 3 of its announcement regarding the HomePod mini 2 that surround sound requires four HomePod mini 2 or HomePod (2nd generation) speakers in matching pairs for the front and rear.
Key Facts at a Glance
- The release candidates include the setup process for surround sound with four HomePods on the iPhone.
- Additionally, there is a party mode that switches the four speakers diagonally as stereo pairs.
- Left and right remain correct, regardless of which direction you are looking in the room.
- Party mode is part of the surround sound function and therefore also requires the new Apple TV 4K.
- Mixing only occurs in one direction: large HomePods in the front, HomePod mini 2 in the back.
How Party Mode distributes the speakers
In normal surround sound mode, Apple TV and speakers detect their position in the room and each play its corresponding channel. The second mode, however, distributes the sound evenly throughout the room. According to pdfus' analysis of the HomePod software, the diagonally opposite speakers are assigned the same stereo role in this mode.
| Position | Role in Party Mode |
|---|---|
| Front left | Stereo left |
| Front right | Stereo right |
| Back left | Stereo right |
| Rear right | Stereo left |
The effect of the crossed speaker placement: If you have your back to the TV, the left channel is further to the left and the right channel further to the right. And if you're standing to the side, you have one speaker for the left and one for the right on each side, so you hear both channels at close range. This is the more sensible placement for music at a party where no one is looking at the screen.
The update does not include a party mode for four HomePods without a TV. According to the code, the feature is a display mode within the surround sound setup and requires the new Apple TV 4K.
Setup on iPhone and allowed combinations
The second discovery is in iOS 27.2: According to pdfus' article on the iOS release candidate, this version includes the setup process for a home theater setup with four HomePods. The setup screens show three configurations: four full-size HomePods, two full-size HomePods in the front with two HomePod mini 2s in the back, and four HomePod mini 2s.
The reverse setup, with the mini at the front, is not possible. In a mixed setup, the smaller speaker only occupies the rear positions. The original HomePod and the original HomePod mini are completely excluded, as already stated in Apple's footnote.
The prices of the three devices in this country are listed in the comparison of the HomePod mini 2 and HomePod 2. The HomePod mini 2 will be available in stores on October 30th, and the new Apple TV 4K on November 13th.
What became of the beta version
When Apple first allowed testing of the feature in September with the second beta of tvOS 27.2, setup was done via the Home app and also worked in the test with a third-generation Apple TV 4K. At that time, it wasn't possible to assign separate front and rear speakers; all four speakers played the same signal.
Both of these things changed up to the RC version. Apple describes the finished feature as having positional tracking, where the Apple TV and speakers adjust timing and volume to their placement, and explicitly states that only the fourth-generation Apple TV 4K is now a requirement. The older model, which was compatible in the beta version, is therefore no longer supported.
Expensive home cinema, thoughtful details
I think the party mode is the smartest feature of the whole thing. Anyone who puts four HomePods in their living room is unlikely to use them solely for movies, and a channel distribution that works even without looking at the TV is perfectly suited to this kind of everyday life.
The downside is the initial setup. Anyone currently using a third-generation Apple TV 4K with a stereo pair of HomePods will need to replace the box and buy two additional speakers to get surround sound. The update to tvOS 27.2 doesn't add an extra channel to the existing box. If you already own a stereo pair, it's worth considering the overall cost before making the switch on November 13th.
Would you swap your Apple TV for two more HomePods for surround sound – or would you stick with your stereo pair? Let us know your calculations in the comments.
