HomePod Spatial Audio / Dolby Atmos and Original HomePod - Do We Need A Stereo Pair or No?

[boltjames]

Does anyone know how HomePod will handle Spatial Audio and/or Dolby Atmos? I’m talking about functioning independently without Apple TV, and just for music, nothing to do with video.

Will we need a stereo pair in order to get the Spatial function?

Or since HomePod has 8 speakers in it already, do we just put a single HomePod in the middle of the room and it will magically create that same surround experience we’re currently getting via AirPods Pro?

Trying to understand if I am going to need additional HomePods to double up in each room and convert each to a stereo pair.

Thanks!

 

[MacSE1987]

This is from an Apple support page:

Currently HomePod speakers must be connected to your Apple TV 4K to play music in Dolby Atmos.

 

[boltjames]

This is from an Apple support page:

Currently HomePod speakers must be connected to your Apple TV 4K to play music in Dolby Atmos.

Yes, thank you.

My question is related to when Apple allows HomePod to function in Dolby Atmos independent of Apple TV.

 

[ouimetnick]

Yes, thank you.

My question is related to when Apple allows HomePod to function in Dolby Atmos independent of Apple TV.

I believe that’s coming in iOS 15

 

[boltjames]

I believe that’s coming in iOS 15

Yes.

But the question is....since HomePod has 7 speakers and 1 subwoofer in it already, will a single HomePod be able to create a Dolby Atmos surround effect? Or will we need to have two in a stereo pair?

 

[pup]

You want a single speaker to produce surround sound when it can't even produce stereo?

 

[boltjames]

You want a single speaker to produce surround sound when it can't even produce stereo?

It has 8 speakers that fire in numerous directions, so it stands to reason that it is possible. If Apple can make Dolby Atmos function with two tiny earbuds emulating 360 degree surround, why not a single HomePod which actually has 360 degrees of physical speakers?