Not getting Dolby Atmos with paired HomePods?

[starkmj]

I guess the biggest question I have: is it worth it?
I currently have a 5.1 system with a receiver hooked up to my Apple TV. While the speakers aren’t great (it’s a Home theatre in a box), it does an adequate job with most movies, including sounds coming from the rear surrounds.
I already have one HomePod. If I get a second one, and use those instead, will the sound be that much richer since the homepods are better speakers than my cheap Samsung speakers that came with the receiver?
Will that make up for losing my rear surrounds?

I know nobody can answer this question, unless they’ve actually tried both options, but thought I would ask.

 

[Dc2006ster]

I guess the biggest question I have: is it worth it?
I currently have a 5.1 system with a receiver hooked up to my Apple TV...

Will that make up for losing my rear surrounds?

I know nobody can answer this question, unless they’ve actually tried both options, but thought I would ask.

I have a pair that are paired and installed properly with the most up to date OSs. The sound is very good, better than my TV speakers, a Sonus Beam and my very decent 1980s era two channel stereo system. So I am keeping them. But, I have yet to hear any sound from behind and I would not describe it as immersive . In fact has anyone other than that one guy on YouTube? But that is me. For you the best answer is get a pair, try them and then judge whether to keep them or not. I suspect you will return them.

 

[Brad Smith]

I have a pair that are paired and installed properly with the most up to date OSs. The sound is very good, better than my TV speakers, a Sonus Beam and my very decent 1980s era two channel stereo system. So I am keeping them. But, I have yet to hear any sound from behind and I would not describe it as immersive . In fact has anyone other than that one guy on YouTube? But that is me. For you the best answer is get a pair, try them and then judge whether to keep them or not. I suspect you will return them.

I agree with Dc2006ster. The soundstage is better and more clear. The bass can be good and they certainly sound better than tv speakers and some soundbars. Having come from a nice 5.1 setup in my old apartment, the Atmos on the HomePods is definitely not better than a good surround setup. You don't get full immersion — though it might be better than if you had really cheap and crappy 5.1 speakers. I'd imagine the immersion and overall Atmos experience with the HomePods (and getting sounds from behind/side) would be better in a room that's more "ideal" vs. where most people are using HomePods.

One thing that did help me a bit is making sure nothing was near the HomePods but the tv, and placing the HomePods about 8-10 inches away from the wall. I also found the soundstage is better if they are a bit in front of the TV (which depending on your setup and television model may be difficult). I'd imagine the ideal scenario would be a flat panel hung on the wall rather than a TV sitting on a stand immediately between the HomePods.

 

[JBaby]

I have a pair that are paired and installed properly with the most up to date OSs. The sound is very good, better than my TV speakers, a Sonus Beam and my very decent 1980s era two channel stereo system. So I am keeping them. But, I have yet to hear any sound from behind and I would not describe it as immersive . In fact has anyone other than that one guy on YouTube? But that is me. For you the best answer is get a pair, try them and then judge whether to keep them or not. I suspect you will return them.

Well then they are working as expected. You aren’t supposed to get immersive audio. That’s only for true Atmos sound systems. You’re also not supposed to get sounds from behind you. There’s just know why for that to happen.

 

[Dc2006ster]

Well then they are working as expected. You aren’t supposed to get immersive audio. That’s only for true Atmos sound systems. You’re also. It supposed to get sounds from behind you. There’s just know why for that to happen.

I agree. They are working as they should be but I think the whole immersive sound stage from HomePods has been overhyped and has created unreasonable expectations.

 

[JBaby]

I agree. They are working as they should be but I think the whole immersive sound stage has been overhyped and has created unreasonable expectations.

But the immersive soundstage was only for Atmos equipment. When you have true Atmos sound system there’s a menu item that give the option to enable the immersive audio.

 

[Dc2006ster]

I agree with Dc2006ster. The soundstage is better and more clear. The bass can be good and they certainly sound better than tv speakers and some soundbars. Having come from a nice 5.1 setup in my old apartment, the Atmos on the HomePods is definitely not better than a good surround setup. You don't get full immersion — though it might be better than if you had really cheap and crappy 5.1 speakers. I'd imagine the immersion and overall Atmos experience with the HomePods (and getting sounds from behind/side) would be better in a room that's more "ideal" vs. where most people are using HomePods.

One thing that did help me a bit is making sure nothing was near the HomePods but the tv, and placing the HomePods about 8-10 inches away from the wall. I also found the soundstage is better if they are a bit in front of the TV (which depending on your setup and television model may be difficult). I'd imagine the ideal scenario would be a flat panel hung on the wall rather than a TV sitting on a stand immediately between the HomePods.

Interesting. I was wondering about that. I have mine positioned as recommenced by apple but suspect the furnishings around the speakers are affecting the sound. Soft furnishings e.g. curtains rather than hard walls will absorb rather than reflect sound. I have asked she who must be obeyed to shorten the curtains and await her response. ;-) I have also noticed that some movies have done a much better job of taking advantage of the 5.1 or Atmos capabilities.

 

[Dc2006ster]

But the immersive soundstage was only for Atmos equipment. When you have true Atmos sound system there’s a menu item that give the option to enable the immersive audio.

I should have specified that I was talking about the HomePods when I said that the whole Atmos immersive sound idea was overhyped. They do very well for what they are. I enjoy mine and will keep them . I just have to find some way to spend the Apple cards that came with them...first world problem.

 

[JBaby]

I should have specified that I was talking about the HomePods when I said it was overhyped.

But who overhyped it? Individuals? ? News blogs? The reason I’m asking is because I don’t think it was overhyped by  at all. I think it was overhyped by individuals who thought it was going to be way more than it is because they thought  would be able to perform a miracle. I just don’t think that was ever realistic because at the end of the day these are stereo speakers. There’s no way to get sound behind you. Lots of people thought they’d be able to replace whole sound systems with two HomePods and that was always a ridiculous notion.

Now don’t get me wrong. I think HomePods can replace crap systems like cheap sound bars. And I also think they can replace an expensive sound bar that doesn’t have a subwoofer. For example I have a Sonos Beam in my living room. It doesn’t have the wireless sub. My HomePods sound better. But for truly good sound systems I do not believe HomePods would out perform them. And if that system is a true Atmos system it’s going to be no contest.

 

[JBaby]

“I’m a bit puzzled” why you would want to use a feature that apple just introduced and even though you can't get it to work, I wouldn't bother, it's just not worth the effort although I haven't tried it myself.

I’m confused as to why [mention]subjonas[/mention]’ even brought this up at all a month later. I don’t get the point. But I applaud you for trying to get our point across. Kudos!

 

[C0re0]

Hi all,

I (probably) have an issue with audio output, playing from Disney+ App on Apple TV4K, using 2 stereo-paired Homepods (configured as home theater). My TV is a LG OLED65BX9.

Watched Star Wars yesterday and according to the information on the Disney+ App the movie should be
4K, Dolby Vision, 5.1.

However, when starting the movie on the ATV4K and showing the input information on my LG TV (button on my LG remote) it says:

2160p, Dolby Vision, PCM

So the first two items are correct, but why PCM Audio?
I expected 5.1 here instead of PCM.

Is this correct or did I miss something?

Thanks!

 

[JBaby]

Hi all,

I (probably) have an issue with audio output, playing from Disney+ App on Apple TV4K, using 2 stereo-paired Homepods (configured as home theater). My TV is a LG OLED65BX9.

Watched Star Wars yesterday and according to the information on the Disney+ App the movie should be
4K, Dolby Vision, 5.1.

However, when starting the movie on the ATV4K and showing the input information on my LG TV (button on my LG remote) it says:

2160p, Dolby Vision, PCM

So the first two items are correct, but why PCM Audio?
I expected 5.1 here instead of PCM.

Is this correct or did I miss something?

Thanks!

Disney+ doesn’t output Atmos to HomePods. This has been discussed. Search the thread.

 

[C0re0]

Hi,

thanks!
Yes I know, but I m talking about 5.1 not not Dolby Atmos so I thought Disney+ would send 5.1 to the Homepods.

 

[JBaby]

Hi,

thanks!
Yes I know, but I m talking about 5.1 not not Dolby Atmos so I thought Disney+ would send 5.1 to the Homepods.

My bad I misread that. It’s almost 3am. Yes it sends 5.1 to HomePods. You can’t check your LG TV to find out since your TV speakers aren’t being used. Audio is being handled completely by the tv and HomePods.

 

[C0re0]

Okay, that makes sense that my LG TV can´t check the audio format...
So is there any possibility to check the output signal of the Homepods, i.e. to check if it is 5.1?
Is there a menu in the Apple TV to check this?

 

[B/D]

Okay, that makes sense that my LG TV can´t check the audio format...
So is there any possibility to check the output signal of the Homepods, i.e. to check if it is 5.1?
Is there a menu in the Apple TV to check this?

Unfortunately no. There is no way of knowing or look at which audio track the homepods are playing in each case (yet). The process is all automatic and transparent, in classic apple style. Hoping that this will change in future updates.

 

[Rokiza]

Hi,

I bought two HomePods today, and now I'm waiting for Apple TV 4k, but I have problem with reproducing Dolby Atmos music with Apple Music app.

Dolby Music is working when I'm using AirPods Pro, but it is not working on HomePods.

Lossless is working.

15.4 is a version of OS on HomePods.

 

[Soondae]

Hi,

I bought two HomePods today, and now I'm waiting for Apple TV 4k, but I have problem with reproducing Dolby Atmos music with Apple Music app.

Dolby Music is working when I'm using AirPods Pro, but it is not working on HomePods.

Lossless is working.

15.4 is a version of OS on HomePods.

Sorry, but the HomePod Mini doesn't support Dolby Atmos, you can only use them as a stereo pair. If you want Dolby Atmos support you need to upgrade to something much more expensive such as Sonos.

 

[Rokiza]

It is not MINI, it is regular HomePod x2

 

[HDFan]

the HomePod Mini doesn't support Dolby Atmos, you can only use them as a stereo pair.

"the HomePod mini can’t play Spatial Audio, except if you connect them to the Apple TV…

So, the tweak is: if you connect a pair of HomePod mini to the Apple TV 4K, you’re able to stream Spatial Audio songs – and they do sound as they’re using this feature."

HomePod now supports Lossless and Dolby Atmos, here's a workaround for HomePod mini - 9to5Mac

Apple released HomePod 15.1 Software with the long-awaited Lossless and Dolby Atmos support. But if you want to listen to Spatial Audio with the HomePod mini, there's a tweak.

9to5mac.com

 

[w5jck]

Apple’s condescending attitude and hostility towards its customers. Always pandering to the lowest common denominator and assuming consumers are all incapable of actually using technology. I’ve been using computers, networking equipment personally and professionally since early 80’s and put together first quadraphonic stereo system in late 70’s. I don’t need Apple dumbing down anything.

Nor do I, as I’m old too! However, there are a lot of younger Apple Juice drinkers around here who do need things dumbed down. Regardless, I can’t speak for HomePods as I don’t own one, but for a brief time I did own a Echo Studio, which like the HomePod original is a hi-fi speaker system. However, when paired with a Fire TV the Fire TV could send it Dolby Atmos and it would play same. Not a bad sound when it worked, but Amazon made it buggy so I returned it. So a HomePod apparently, according to Apple, can receive and play audio signals from an Apple approved Dolby Atmos source, but what plays is simulated Dolby Atmos. The Echo Studio was the same, it could receive Dolby Atmos signals from a Fire TV, but it could only simulate those signals.

I now have a Sony HT-G700: 3.1CH Dolby Atmos/DTS:X Soundbar. It too is only simulated Dolby Atmos, but it can receive it from my TV, or many other sources. Since it is connected directly to my Sony Bravia TV, I can press the Display button on the TV remote and it will show me the video and audio signals, thus when I’m watching something with Dolby Atmos the TV will show “Dolby Atmos” in the popup text. This was not the case with the Echo Studio because it was connected to my Fire TV Cube, so the TV had no clue what was playing on it. I assume the same will be true for a HomePod in that Apple will require it to be connected to the ATV 4K rather than the TV. Thus the TV will have no clue what is playing on it.

In order for HomePods and Echo Studios to be set up directly to the TV in a manner in which Dolby Atmos can be passed to them, they would require an HDMI port, which neither has. I can’t speak for the HomePod, but the Echo Studio could be connected to the TV via BT (which lacks the bandwidth for Dolby Atmos) or via an optical cable (which would not deliver Dolby Atmos either). Unless Apple produces a system that can be attached via HDMI to a TV, it will be usable for Dolby Atmos only when attached directly to the ATV 4K. It will need HDMI-CEC if you want it to be the speaker system for your entire entertainment system. I doubt Apple will do that, but you never know with them… But it will currently deliver simulated Dolby Atmos sounds when directly connected to an ATV 4K. Now how the hell you get the ATV 4K to confirm it is delivering Dolby Atmos to the HomePod is another question…