Apple is preparing a new four-speaker surround sound feature for the fourth-generation Apple TV 4K, according to information found in the tvOS and HomePod Software 27.2 release candidate. This configuration allows users to create a home theater setup using four HomePod speakers.
The system supports three specific speaker combinations. Users must pair identical models for each set, meaning they can mix large and small HomePod units, but cannot combine arbitrary models. The setup process is managed directly through the Apple TV 4K interface or via the Apple TV remote feature on an iPhone.
Once configured, the system treats the speakers as a single integrated unit. The software automatically detects the position of each device in the room to calibrate timing and volume for synchronized audio output. This ensures that all four speakers work together as a unified home theater system.
The new functionality has strict hardware requirements. The first-generation HomePod, the first-generation HomePod mini, and older Apple TV models are not compatible with this feature. Consequently, existing users cannot enable this four-speaker surround sound system simply by installing the software update.
