LOL no. Not a single review said that. However:
(That doesn't mean HomePod is currently limited to "mono" audio. One HomePod can still project a full 3D soundstage throughout a room. It simply means you can't pair HomePods to create a richer, bigger 3D soundstage — not until AirPlay 2 ships.) - iMore[doublepost=1517961977][/doublepost]Wait. You quoted TechCrunch and Macrumours to refute his audio theory? You know appeal to authority only works if you appeal to ACTUAL authority. Of which TC and MR most definitely are not.
Stereo does not mean what you, or TC or MR, think it means.
Stereophonic sound or, more commonly, stereo, is a method of sound reproduction that creates an illusion of multi-directional audible perspective. This is usually achieved by using two or more independent audio channels through a configuration of two or more loudspeakers (or stereo headphones) in such a way as to create the impression of sound heard from various directions, as in natural hearing.[1] Thus the term "stereophonic" applies to so-called "quadraphonic" and "surround-sound" systems as well as the more common two-channel, two-speaker systems. It is often contrasted with monophonic, or "mono" sound, where audio is heard as coming from one position, often ahead in the sound field (analogous to a visual field). In the 2000s, stereo sound is common in entertainment systems such as broadcast radio, TV, recorded music, and cinema.
The appeal to authority is simply due to the presumption (perhaps incorrectly) that those pieces of information would have come from Apple directly (particularly in the case of TechCrunch’s hands-on review), which means it came from THE authority with regard to how the HomePod works.
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This is an interesting point and I certainly hope Apple sets its sights on precise positioning with visual medium. I imagine two of these could be used in tandem with say, an ATMOS signal, to create a very believable surround simulation.
It will most likely be far too imprecise to achieve with a single unit.
Right now however it seems that they’ve focused on creating a pleasing multi-dimensional soundstage for music only.
Atmos only works with either in-ceiling speakers or speakers angled to reflect audio off the ceiling toward the seating area. The HomePod would use the latter method and runs into two problems. First, only the woofer faces upward which means only lower frequencies would be able to participate in atmos and lower frequencies don’t reflect as well in the first place. Second the woofer isn’t angled so any reflections from the ceiling would be directed right back down on top of the HomePod.