How to link two Apple HomePods in stereo with your Apple TV

 If you haven't already heard, the second version of Apple's HomePod, which was revived from the dead, sounds really darn nice. Due to its massive woofer, five beam-forming tweeters that project sound off walls and into various regions of the room, and its room-sensing capabilities, it is capable of producing magnificent, rich, Spatial Audio music that can fill a room on its own.

Nevertheless, making a stereo pair with another HomePod is on an entirely different level, as we discovered in our evaluation of the second-generation model. If you're interested in a listening experience that goes beyond standard stereo, Spatial Audio recordings on Apple Music sound immersive and dynamic in addition to creating a significantly broader soundstage and louder, stronger bass (which the HomePod is great at, too).

But, the setup of two stereo HomePods with an Apple TV 4K for some Dolby Atmos surround sound that equals that of soundbars or multi-speaker surround sound systems is where things become even more spectacular, making them a viable alternative. Of course, connecting just one HomePod to the Apple TV 4K would provide decent audio as well, but stereo pairs sound far better.

Here's how to set up a stereo pair of either speaker with an Apple TV 4K if you already have your heart set on a pair of HomePods (or a couple of HomePod Minis). The stereo HomePod Minis do not support Dolby Atmos 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound, it is important to note. Let's begin.

Create a Stereo pair of HomePods

You need to link your HomePods in stereo mode before you can fully benefit from the immersive spatial audio, Dolby Atmos sound for your movies, TV shows, and music on your Apple TV 4K. You cannot mix and match models for this, so you must first ensure that both HomePods are the exact same model (first-generation HomePod, HomePod Mini, or second-generation HomePod). Your devices must all be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as well.

If you're configuring your HomePods for the first time, your iOS device will prompt you to join a stereo pair when you start the setup process for the second speaker after configuring the first speaker. Simply choose whether the second speaker should be the left or right speaker, and you're done. Simple as pie.

Here's how to install a second HomePod for a stereo pair if you already have one set up.

Step 1: On your iOS device, open the Home app and select on of your HomePods.

Step 2: Tap the Settings icon — the one that looks like a gear.

Step 3: Scroll down and tap Create Stereo Pair and follow the onscreen instructions.

Step 4: It will ask you to choose the second HomePod in the stereo pair. Tap to confirm the other HomePod and choose whether it will be the left or right. You can tap the switch icon if you want to change it.

How to set up your stereo pair of HomePods with your Apple TV 4K

Here's how to obtain immersive sound with compatibility for Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital 7.1, and 5.1 formats using your stereo-paired HomePods and Apple TV. Nonetheless, HomePod Mini will play them in mono or stereo automatically despite the fact that it does not support these formats.

Step 1: First, make sure your Apple TV 4K and iPhone or iPad are updated to at least iOS 16.3.

Step 2: Make sure that your HomePod stereo pair is assigned to the same room as your Apple TV 4K in the Apple Home app.

Step 3: If you're setting this ups using an iPhone or iPad, open the Home app and tap Apple TV.

Step 4: Scroll down and tap the Settings icon.

Step 5: Select Default Audio Output and then select the room you've assigned to your stereo pair of HomePods. This will route all sound from your Apple TV through your stereo pair.

Step 6: If you're setting this up using the Apple TV 4K instead, the process is similar. Using the Apple TV remote, go to Settings, Video and Audio, and then Audio Output to select the HomePod as your speaker.

Position your HomePods for best results

As we have noted, a pair of stereo HomePods might be a wonderful sounding alternative to a soundbar for your TV's audio in addition to being excellent for music. But unlike a soundbar, which should be placed dead centre under your TV, Apple advises placing your HomePods to the left and right of the screen, at least four feet away.

In addition, and with any set of speakers really, attempt to position the speakers such that they are at or near head level from where you typically watch television. Automatic room scanning and sound amplification are features of Apple's computational sound system.