GoKawiil
Tech News
Apple's tvOS 27.2 beta 2 now lets users pair four HomePods—two sets of two—wirelessly through the Home app to serve as surround speakers for Apple TV 4K, according to FlatpanelsHD. The feature currently works with Atmos and surround audio from video content, but lacks the ability to assign specific speaker roles like front and rear, and menu or game audio still only plays through the front pair.
The guide explains connecting an Xbox to a TV's eARC/ARC HDMI port to enable surround sound, recommending HDMI 2.1 support for 4K/120fps gaming alongside audio. Users then adjust settings under Settings > General > Volume and audio output, selecting 5.1 or 7.1 uncompressed audio, or Bitstream if bandwidth is limited, and can install the Dolby Access app for Dolby Atmos support.
Sound engineer Anthony Grimani explains that room acoustics, not expensive equipment, are usually the biggest factor hurting home theater sound quality. Hard surfaces like bare walls and tile floors reflect sound waves, causing echo and muddled audio, but simple additions like rugs, curtains and framed art can absorb those reflections. He also outlines proper speaker placement and angling for both 5.1 and 7.1 setups.
Code strings found in audioOS 27 beta 8 by a MacRumors forum user reveal Apple is developing a quad-HomePod surround sound configuration alongside a new 'Party Mode' feature. The surround setup would let two front and two rear second-generation HomePods each apply distinct audio processing, dynamically adjusting based on content like movies or music. A separate reference to a 'Forklift' system suggests pairing two existing HomePods with unreleased speaker hardware.