You can use two HomePods and a Apple TV 4K to create a Dolby Atmos home theater system. Here’s how it works.
Apple has updated the original HomePod, including the ability to create the ultimate Apple surround-sound system.
Alongside the launch of the HomePod mini, Apple gave the original HomePod Home Cinema mode that lets you set one or two HomePods (paired in stereo) as the default speakers for your Apple TV. And secondly, Apple has given the HomePod support for Dolby Atmos.
Dolby Atmos capability is a crucial element of a modern home theater system which creates virtual channels that trick your ears into thinking that sound is coming from all around you — left, right and above — instead of just right in front of you. To watch movies or shows that support Dolby Atmos, you need to have a smart TV that supports Dolby Atmos or you can use a streaming stick that supports Dolby Atmos, like an Apple TV 4K or a Fire TV Stick 4K. In the case of HomePod, you don’t need a TV that supports Atmos because the Apple TV 4K can play Dolby Atmos audio over AirPlay 2.
(Note: If you have an older TV that doesn’t support Dolby Atmos, you can buy a streaming device that supports Dolby Atmos. You then connect that streaming device directly to your Dolby Atmos soundbar or AV receiver via “HDMI In” and then connect the sound bar/AVR via “HDMI Out” to your TV. But there’s a catch because some Dolby Atmos soundbars, like the Sonos Arc, don’t support an “HDMI Input” port and therefore can’t play Atmos content on older TVs. So before buying a Dolby Atmos soundbar, be sure to make sure it will work with the setup you currently have.)
How to setup your Apple Atmos system
It’s actually pretty easy to setup an Atmos system with one or two HomePods and an Apple TV 4K. Here are the steps:
- Make sure your iPhone (which you’re using to set up the system), HomePod(s) and Apple TV 4K are all running the latest software. (It should be iOS 14.2, tvOS 14.2 and HomePodOS 14.2, respectively.)
- In the room where you have your TV and Apple TV 4K setup, place your HomePod. If you have one HomePod place it centrally (where a soundbar should be). If you have two HomePods, place on either side of your TV.
- Open the Home app on your iPhone and make sure your HomePod(s) is in the same “Room” as your Apple TV 4K. If you have two HomePods, you can then configure them in a stereo pair.
- Turn on your Apple TV 4K. You should see a message asking you if use the HomePod as your TV Speakers.
- Select Use as TV Speakers to turn on home theater audio.
Note: It only works with your Apple TV.
As good as Apple’s ultimate Dolby Atmos system is, it might not be for you. The biggest issue is that it relies completely on the Apple TV 4K to work and if you change inputs — say if you decide you want to play Xbox or PlayStation, or you want to want cable — the sound won’t come out of the HomePod(s). So the only reason to build out a Atmos system with owe or two HomePods and an Apple TV 4K is if you never really plan on switching inputs, or are willing to have an extra speaker like a soundbar for other uses.
