HomePod Stereo pair flaky with iTunes on Mac

Question

HomePod Stereo pair flaky with iTunes on Mac

Several problems. Volume control in iTunes only operating on one of the HomePods, the other has to be controlled using the +/- on the device itself.

iTunes often can't connect to the HomePods, usually cured by shutting the Mac down and restarting but a right pain.

Have also seen (heard) sound on one HomePod only several times. Home app still claims they are paired but one is silent. Again, cured by powering everything down (including unplugging the HomePods) and restarting it all.

Anyone seen similar problems or have suggested fixes (other then turn it off and on again)?

Disappointing as the whole point of Apple kit is that it should just work. Also a bit upset that Mac system audio doesn't understand stereo HomePods, they only work with AirPlay. That seems an unforgivable omission, anyone know if Catalina will fix this?

Shame, as when they are working together the sound is outstanding.

MacOS 10.14.5. iTunes 12.9.5.5

HomePod, 12

Posted on Jun 9, 2019 10:20 AM

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Answer 1

Jun 12, 2019 10:23 AM in response to turingtest2

Thanks for the suggestion. I do have a dual band router and looking at the configuration they are both on the same channel. I have allocated static IP addresses to both HomePods and will see how it goes.

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Answer 2

Jul 16, 2019 2:16 AM in response to turingtest2

All on static IP addresses but still not reliable. One solution when it fails to connect is to play something from iPhone (which always connects instantly), that seems to wake up the HomePods somehow. Then the Mac will connect.

Looking forward to the death of iTunes this year but worried that the replacement will be a broken up iTunes rather than a new music app.

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Answer 3

turingtest2

Level 10

272,937 points

Jun 10, 2019 9:06 AM in response to BlendedDelivery

If you have a dual band router try sticking to one band. Adding address reservations for your HomePods may also help reliability.

tt2

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HomePod Stereo pair flaky with iTunes on Mac

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