PSA: You Can't Output Mac System Audio to Stereo-Paired HomePod Minis, But There Is a Workaround

[dannys1]

Try Sonos.

I'd much rather not.

 

[dannys1]

2020 even for apple a disaster.
Magsafe, not deserving the name.
Magsafe wallet a joke.
iPhone not 120Hz and no charger.
and finally the HomePod can’t be used as mac speakers.
How can you let this opportunity go by...

Ok troll.

 

[dannys1]

I was hoping that this would be enabled on a M1 Mac, as the processor is closely related to an iPad / iPhone, but still no Airplay 2 support.

But that's not the issue - think of all the system sounds that go through audio. You've got time critical stuff like games, you've got audio and visual apps. You can't be working in Logic Pro, Final Cut, Traktor, hell even Garageband with lengthy delays.

They could do it on an app by app basis like the Apple TV does (in fact they do do that with support for Music and Apple TV) but it doesn't lend itself as a protocol for entire system audio to go through.

 

[maxfromdenmark]

I know another workaround: just send feedback for Big Sur and ask for a feature. I'm sure that Apple will hear the 10.000 people asking for adding it.

 

[robjulo]

I did, but evidently too soon. I can’t link my Sonos speakers to Airplay to get computer sound output. I know that you can do it now, but 4 years ago you couldn’t, and there’s no update for that on the Sonos side.

I hated having to run wires to speakers in my youth, but this is worse. At least running wires worked. Apple’s various “solutions” don’t work for all situations, even the ones most users are likely to run into. And in some instances there isn’t a good solution at all.

If you are in the market for another speaker you can buy a Sonos 1 and group it with your older Sonos speakers... that will make Airplay work with all of them. (Expensive workaround I know).

 

[MayaTlab]

I'm wondering whether or not UWB technology (U1 chip + antenna) can be used for low latency high bandwidth wireless audio, and if that is the case, whether or not Apple is simply waiting to implement UWB tech in their Macs to enable system wide stereo audio with HomePods (presumably the HomePod 2 will have such a tech inside).

 

[B4rbelith]

I'm wondering whether or not UWB technology (U1 chip + antenna) can be used for low latency high bandwidth wireless audio, and if that is the case, whether or not Apple is simply waiting to implement UWB tech in their Macs to enable system wide stereo audio with HomePods (presumably the HomePod 2 will have such a tech inside).

Yeah, you could be right, but it's a real shame Apple doesn't just activate Bluetooth in the meantime, just so people can enjoy low-latency system-wide audio. Even with the compromises inherent in Bluetooth.
Maybe if enough people request it, it will be added.

Feedback - HomePod

Apple wants to hear from you. Send us your comments and feedback about HomePod.

www.apple.com

 

[soanis]

How should they? They did as much as is possible with AirPlay 2, it still not suitable for real time audio. If you don't understand how to do something it's probably best that you don't just demand someone should have done it differently or find a solution. They should have cured cancer by now, I am pretty PO'd off that this hasn't been cured after all this time.

what are you even comparing ??
Do you know the latency of wisa that can do 5.1++ homecinema Audio setups? Around 5ms!
So Stop it ! They can do it ! They are just too lazy and busy bathing in cash, is all.
I’m sure it’s coming down the line with AP3

 

[Digital Skunk]

Give it time folks ...... give it time.

Apple will send us an update to put the functionality there.

The real question is will they go back and to it for anything running Catalina and prior, or will the update be for Big Sur only?

 

[MisterMxyzptlk]

Thanks.
2 HomePod minis arriving today.
This article saved me a couple of hours debugging something that should but doesn’t work.

 

[EdT]

If you are in the market for another speaker you can buy a Sonos 1 and group it with your older Sonos speakers... that will make Airplay work with all of them. (Expensive workaround I know).

I actually have several situations and it looks like there really isn’t one solution. When they announced the HomePod Mini I thought they could be used for stereo sound output for my iMac, but no they can’t. For MUSIC output yes, for most everything else....maybe you can and maybe you can’t.

I also was thinking of getting Homepods to use as a sound bar for my TV. But you can’t use an optical sound from the tv as a source. Or run the HDMI cable to them. You can use an ATV and get the sound to use stereo and whatever they are calling their pretend surround sound this year where you only have 2 speakers and not 5-7 minimum. But everything I watch on TV doesn’t run thru ATV. No ATV, no HomePod sound bar.

Having been burned by buying Sonos and getting obsoleted I’m not thrilled with buying from them again, but it would work how I want it to with their current version. Maybe there is a latency problem with them. There’s a can’t do it at all problem using Apple products.

 

[robjulo]

I actually have several situations and it looks like there really isn’t one solution. When they announced the HomePod Mini I thought they could be used for stereo sound output for my iMac, but no they can’t. For MUSIC output yes, for most everything else....maybe you can and maybe you can’t.

I also was thinking of getting Homepods to use as a sound bar for my TV. But you can’t use an optical sound from the tv as a source. Or run the HDMI cable to them. You can use an ATV and get the sound to use stereo and whatever they are calling their pretend surround sound this year where you only have 2 speakers and not 5-7 minimum. But everything I watch on TV doesn’t run thru ATV. No ATV, no HomePod sound bar.

Having been burned by buying Sonos and getting obsoleted I’m not thrilled with buying from them again, but it would work how I want it to with their current version. Maybe there is a latency problem with them. There’s a can’t do it at all problem using Apple products.

Understood. I've not had a latency issue with Sonos (my entire surround system is Sonos speakers) and they match with the TV picture....but I've not tried your particular use case. Buy one and if it doesn't work just return it would be an option.

 

[B/D]

But that's not the issue - think of all the system sounds that go through audio. You've got time critical stuff like games, you've got audio and visual apps. You can't be working in Logic Pro, Final Cut, Traktor, hell even Garageband with lengthy delays.

They could do it on an app by app basis like the Apple TV does (in fact they do do that with support for Music and Apple TV) but it doesn't lend itself as a protocol for entire system audio to go through.

Again, if this have been solved on an Apple TV 4K+ standard homepods (entire system audio, including menu and click sounds, can go now through the Homepods bypassing airplay, including games and live tv streaming apps with no latency) it should be doable on Mac.

 

[B/D]

Give it time folks ...... give it time.

Apple will send us an update to put the functionality there.

The real question is will they go back and to it for anything running Catalina and prior, or will the update be for Big Sur only?

I doubt it. As of right now, the home app on Catalina doesn´t see the Homepod Mini, so its not looking good.

 

[EdT]

Understood. I've not had a latency issue with Sonos (my entire surround system is Sonos speakers) and they match with the TV picture....but I've not tried your particular use case. Buy one and if it doesn't work just return it would be an option.

If Sonos has a time lag I haven’t been able to hear it when I go to a popular electronics store in my area. It may be there and some people may notice it but I don’t.

What I am worried about is Apple is moving in with similar products as what Sonos has. Not going to happen this year or next but what I worry that either Sonos or Apple does something that breaks an expensive setup.

 

[johnmarki]

This is definitely a roadblock to purchasing these for my personal use. However, I will still gift the HomePod Mini to several of my friends and family. They will use it as a solo speaker/assistant, and nothing more. But for me...not so much. I still love the form factor, design, and potential.

 

[yurc]

When I saw familiar AudioMIDISetup icon, I am just realizing it screenshot on this PSA post are still in Catalina, because of absent of ugly square icon masking.

 

[mkldev]

But that's only a problem because they chose that to be a problem.

The HomePod has Bluetooth. Bluetooth can transfer sound with a reasonable latency. They just didn't implement it.
Also they could have just added a line-in. (With USB-C in the mini they could still do it with a custom cable or power brick.)

So the question stands: What's the reason they didn't do it?

Courage!

 

[MauiPa]

This is ridiculous, come on Apple sort it out.

It works well on apple apps, why aren't other developers using the proper design language? Spotify - because they are lazy. The fact of the matter is that if you use the main audio output on your Mac instead of streaming to the devices, you lose the benefit of being able to watch the news or a podcast while simultaneously watching a movie or playing music. Who wants that? come on folks update your applications to the 2020. Just as proof, Spotify already does this on google speakers, just not with it on Airplay 2, tsk, tsk, tsk

 

[MauiPa]

Baffled by the fact that this needs a workaround to work.

For me its a reason not to buy a HomePod (Mini) yet.

it only needs a workaround on poorly designed, outdated applications. You can easily do this on AppleTV and Apple Music, just by clicking on the stereo pair. It is actually quite brilliant, because if the streaming apps use the streamlining output channel, you are still free to use the main channel to simultaneously listen to other sources like the news, your job, podcasts....... If you do it like Spotify, just default to the main audio channel, you lose this ability, shame on you Spotify. And to ice the cake, Spotify lets you do this same function on google speakers. another reason I won't use Spotify, that an they don't pay the artists fairly.

 

[MauiPa]

Yeah this has been a bugbear for me for a while as well. Apple could just spend some time on it and fix the latency and allow them to be used as system outputs.

For that matter it would also be great if I could use them with my PC as stereo system outs (I don't mind having to buy an additional app) - it would certainly alleviate some of the redundancy I have at home. I use bookshelf speakers on my desk for PC gaming, I'd like my homepods to work with the TV, but I sometimes use my PC with the TV and still want good audio.

You know you would lose the ability to stream one application while listening to a podcast, news, videoconference on another? I do what you want using the appleTV+ and Apple Music Apps so we know it is modern software design to allow this (come on all you way behind developers, up your game!). also I do exactly what you say using the AppleTV and routing the music from Pandora (although it plays natively on the homepods, come on Spotify!), by connecting to the Apple TV which output to the HomePods (Assuming it also works on Airplay2 smart TVs (LOL), but I do miss the multiple output channel like in Apple apps. Don't see any latency when using the Apple apps, Hey developers, what year is it?

 

[MauiPa]

Thank you. Apple should be able to overcome the latency issue. I am pretty PO'd that this has not been fixed after all this time.

I'm having no latency issues with the homepods. I use an Appletv (calibrated) and listen to the TV as the front channel, the honed stereo pair as the rear - nope, no latency. I also don't see any latency when watching through the AppleTV application. So, if you are having issues, check with your developer

 

[Phil77354]

Again, if this have been solved on an Apple TV 4K+ standard homepods (entire system audio, including menu and click sounds, can go now through the Homepods bypassing airplay, including games and live tv streaming apps with no latency) it should be doable on Mac.

There is clearly a technical reason for the issue not being resolved yet. Apple has known about this for a couple of years, since it has been present for the original HomePods and customers have experienced it since stereo pairing was made available (with AirPlay 2, I think?). I don't recall reading anywhere what the explanation was for the issue, if I have time I may try checking the Apple community forums to see if a discussion there helps understand this better.

 

[Phil77354]

it only needs a workaround on poorly designed, outdated applications. . .

No, you are missing the point. It is an issue for any iMac audio (from the MacRumors article above: "The inability to select stereo-paired HomePod speakers as your Mac audio output device . . . ")

For example, if you are in Safari and have anything that includes audio - a youtube video, any embedded audio or video clip - you can't select stereo-paired HomePods, only select one or the other, i.e. the right or left speaker).

 

[G5isAlive]

Even bluetooth isn't good enough for system alerts or gaming etc (which is why the Nintendo Switch doensn't have bluetooth headphones). I do agree though an input cable wouldn't be too bad of an option but they are individual powered speakers so it causes issues when you want to use two and they do that with a wireless protocol. It's all really in the name of simplification - it's built into your iOS device, it works seamlessly, it works from Apple Music seamlessly - they didn't want to add options and complications. Apple are very rarely one of those companies that throws 50 options at one device like budget companies do, where none of them are really ideal.

Thanks for the explanation. This is not a criticism or whine, but how did Sonos manage to correct for this? Is it about time delay? I can see how that could work for video (movies) but not for system alerts which are in real time. But then again, Apple lets me do that (connect one HomePod), what's the big deal with two?