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BootLoxes

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Apr 15, 2019
749
897
I am looking to pick up a speaker for an apple tv (just waiting on the new models to be announced)

But I want to make sure the audio will work with netflix and other video apps and not be delayed.

Does your homepod work ok with this? Also what about with ios devices?
 
I'd seriously recommend getting something with a wired connection like a sound bar. it will be a much better experience for you.

when you select an airplay target (like HomePod) it doesn't stay selected permanently, so you'll have to reselect if you've not used the aTV in a bit.


There are soundbars such as sonos beam that are also airplay2 comparable, so HDMI from your TV (your TV must have an HDMI-ARC port though), airplay from your iOS, or the onboard sonos player.
 
My issue is im trying to find a speaker that i can control with a remote of some kind since my current speakers cant. I figured i would be able to adjust the volume with my iphone or at least have the speaker close enough that i could reach over and lower it
 
My issue is im trying to find a speaker that i can control with a remote of some kind since my current speakers cant. I figured i would be able to adjust the volume with my iphone or at least have the speaker close enough that i could reach over and lower it

As @waw74 suggested, a sound bar like SONOS PlayBar, Beam or PlayBase (the latter 2 for AirPlay 2 Support) will likely be a better option to use if you're planning on using it for any TV application and it will allow you to completely control it through any iOS device or Mac.
 
the sonos speakers will respond to the volume controls on your aTV's siri remote when watching tv using HDMI-CEC, which sends commands over the HDMI cable from the aTV

There are controls on the top of the speaker that can be used when listening to music (volume, pause, next, last)
or you can use the sonos app, or whatever you're air-laying from.

This is starting to add more cost, but if you add a pair of sonos speakers for surrounds, the controls on those will also control the main. and it will get you surround sound, which you'll never get with the current specs of the HomePod. (When listening to Music you can use them as a second stereo pair, or "ambiance" mode which is simulated surround)

most soundbars should come with an IR remote that can control them.
 
Ok so I should look into sonos then. Do you have a model recommendation?
 
the only one with airplay2 and a HDMI input, is the beam (retail $400ish) (it's also the cheapest option from them)
the playbase has airplay, but only optical audio, You'll be able to control volume via IR, but will take a bit of fiddling to get it working. ($699)

Your TV needs to support ARC, look at your HDMI input ports, one of them (normally number 2) should say ARC.
There is an adapter from optical if you TV supports that, but you'll have to control volume via IR.


I've got the beam, it sounds great, and is fairly compact. It's about 2' wide, my tv is 4', and doing a "left / right test" from the couch, the sound appears to be coming from wider than the TV.

ikea has some new sonos speakers that have gotten great reviews, and are only $100, or another version built into a table lamp for $179.
These can work great for surrounds, or adding music to another room. They also both support airplay2.

Once sound is in the sonos system. you can play it on other speakers.
so if the beam is playing TV audio, you can sync the kitchen speaker and have TV audio come out there also.
same goes for airplay. Airplaying to one sonos speaker, all sonos speakers in the home can access that audio, even if they don't support airplay themselves. This actually tends to work a bit better than air playing to multiple targets.
 
I've had two HomePods since they were released and have used both as speakers for my Apple TV. I have used them separately and together as a Stereo Pair. I have NEVER had any audio lag issues. Actually, ONE time there was about a 1 second delay. I simply switched back to HDMI audio and then switched back to the HomePods and it was resolved. So I'm not sure what delay you're asking if they got rid of. Never had a delay to begin with.

That being said, in tvOS 13 there is a new feature to calibrate wireless audio.
 
I've had two HomePods since they were released and have used both as speakers for my Apple TV. I have used them separately and together as a Stereo Pair. I have NEVER had any audio lag issues. Actually, ONE time there was about a 1 second delay. I simply switched back to HDMI audio and then switched back to the HomePods and it was resolved. So I'm not sure what delay you're asking if they got rid of. Never had a delay to begin with.

That being said, in tvOS 13 there is a new feature to calibrate wireless audio.
Ive seen a ton of topics about delay. It wasnt even something i was searching for. I just started reading reviews and noticed many people complaining about delays. Then a youtube vid demonstrated a 2 second delay when connected to his imac. So it got me worried about dropping more than $300 for a product that i will use purely for vids sent from my apple tv only to find out the audio is delayed
 
Yeah, I can totally understand the concern, given what you've read about it. That being said, I only use mine as speakers for my Apple TV, which is specifically designed work with HomePods as their speakers. Unfortunately, macOS hasn't been updated properly for that. While macOS does support AirPlay, and the Music app supports AirPlay 2, the OS doesn't really function 100% properly with AirPlay 2. For example, you cannot currently set the OS's audio output to a pair of HomePods in Stereo. You can only set it to a single HomePod. So I'd imagine some of that is the reason for any kind of audio delay on a Mac
 
Yeah, I can totally understand the concern, given what you've read about it. That being said, I only use mine as speakers for my Apple TV, which is specifically designed work with HomePods as their speakers. Unfortunately, macOS hasn't been updated properly for that. While macOS does support AirPlay, and the Music app supports AirPlay 2, the OS doesn't really function 100% properly with AirPlay 2. For example, you cannot currently set the OS's audio output to a pair of HomePods in Stereo. You can only set it to a single HomePod. So I'd imagine some of that is the reason for any kind of audio delay on a Mac

I see, but for apple tv it should be fine then? Thats all i really will use it for. Maybe sometimes my iphone and ipad
 
I see, but for apple tv it should be fine then? Thats all i really will use it for. Maybe sometimes my iphone and ipad
From my experience, there have not been any issues with delay or lag. Except for one time, like i mentioned in my original post
 
Hmm. Maybe i will jump the gun. Can you control the volume from your phone or apple tv remote when connected to the apple tv? Thats the biggest thing for me
 
Has this HomePod lag issue has been resolved either in Big Sur or Monterey?
 
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