HomePod surround sound requires Apple TV 4K (4th Gen)

Apple's new wireless surround sound system requires the new Apple TV 4K (4th Gen) and second-generation HomePods.

Today, Apple expanded Apple TV 4K integration with HomePods, allowing up to four HomePods to connect wirelessly to the media player.

You can also play audio from your TV’s HDMI-connected devices, such as a PlayStation 5, if you connect the Apple TV 4K to the TV's HDMI eARC port.

- "Pairing HomePod with Apple TV 4K already offers users an immersive viewing experience that’s easy to set up, and the new Apple TV 4K takes it even further," announced Apple.

- "For the first time, users can create a four-speaker surround sound experience with Apple TV 4K (4th generation) and HomePod mini 2. The four speakers work together with Apple TV 4K to intelligently recognize their position in the room so audio timing and levels are automatically calibrated to the space. HomePod (2nd generation) can also be used in this four-speaker setup for the ultimate audio experience, as long as the front and rear speaker pairs match."


Limited to new Apple TV 4K
Despite indications in the tvOS 27.2 beta that it would work with older Apple TV boxes and HomePods, Apple has decided to limit HomePod surround sound to the new Apple TV 4K (4th Gen) for reasons unknown.

- "Home theater surround sound requires four HomePod mini 2 or HomePod (2nd generation) speakers in matching pairs (front and rear), paired with Apple TV 4K (4th generation) running the latest operating system software," the company wrote in its footnotes.

In other words: You cannot use your existing Apple TV 4K, HomePod (1st Gen) or HomePod mini (1st Gen), unless Apple expands support to more devices later


Does it work with video games?
Wireless HomePod surround sound should provide a major boost in many living rooms, especially with the full-size HomePods and Apple's excellent positioning and virtualizing technology that already manages to convincingly create a virtual center channel.

While Apple says that it works with "everything from music to sports commentary", the tvOS 27.2 beta is currently indicating that HomePod surround works with video but not video games and menu audio (stereo only). We will have to examine the system in its final form to confirm the details.

The new feature will be added with tvOS 27.2 and audioOS 27.2.