The HomePod, Apple’s sensible speaker, has some nice options relating to pairing a number of audio system collectively. Because of AirPlay 2, customers can play the identical audio on totally different HomePods round the home and even use a stereo pair as customary Apple TV audio system. Nonetheless, there’s one factor I’m nonetheless lacking concerning the HomePod, and that’s the precise encompass mode.
HomePod as TV speaker
Even earlier than the HomePod mini, customers had the choice to arrange two HomePods as a stereo pair so sound got here out on the left and proper channels for a extra immersive expertise. And now with the sixth-generation Apple TV, you’ll be able to set a pair of HomePods as your tv’s default speaker through an eARC connection.
I at the moment have two TVs at dwelling, and every has an Apple TV related. Because the built-in TV audio system aren’t that nice, I purchased two pairs of HomePod minis so I can use them not just for a greater music expertise, but additionally to observe motion pictures and reveals with higher audio high quality.
And in reality, I actually take pleasure in utilizing HomePods as TV audio system. They’re louder and have extra bass than I might get utilizing simply the TV sound. However although it helps Dolby Atmos, the HomePod nonetheless doesn’t actually help true encompass.
At the moment, you’ll be able to solely set a pair of HomePods because the default speaker for Apple TV. With AirPlay 2, there’s an possibility to decide on one other HomePod to play the identical audio concurrently in all of them – however that may solely replicate the sound in each pairs as an alternative of constructing it encompass.
To not point out choosing a number of HomePods within the AirPlay menu is at all times a multitude. There needs to be a better manner to do that.
True encompass mode for HomePod
As a result of HomePod helps Dolby Atmos, which is a expertise that permits three-dimensional sound, true encompass mode takes the expertise of utilizing HomePods as TV audio system to the following stage.
Think about when you might place 4 HomePods in your lounge, every serving as an impartial audio channel. Or even when there was an choice to arrange a 5.1 encompass system utilizing the bigger HomePod as a subwoofer (with rumors of a brand new HomePod within the works, that might be a killer).
In fact, there are lots of encompass system choices obtainable in the marketplace, however I personally love utilizing HomePods due to the mixing with AirPlay, HomeKit, and all my Apple gadgets. If there’s one characteristic I would like for tvOS 16 and HomePod Software program 16, it’s the true encompass mode for the HomePod.
What do you concentrate on utilizing HomePods as your TV audio system? Is there a characteristic that you’re at the moment lacking? Let me know within the feedback under.
Extra about HomePod
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