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I have two HomePods (2nd Gen) setup as a stereo pair. Is it possible to use them as center channel speakers if I setup an AV receiver with surround sound speakers. I’m currently using Apple TV 4K via HDMI to the TV (ARC).
Apple TV 4K, tvOS 17
Thank you for replying. Let me clarify and see if this makes sense. So I currently have the HomePods setup as a stereo pair and are the main speakers for my TV. I actually have the TV speakers turned off. I also have the ARC setup so anything I plug into the HDMI ports on the TV ie. Xbox, switch, etc…..the sounds form those come from the HomePods. What I curious about is, the house we bought has surround sound speakers ( front left and right, rear left and right and rear center) installed in the family room ceiling. I’m wondering if I can add an A/V receiver to my current setup to run those surround sound speakers while keeping the HomePod stereo pair. The HomePod stereo pair is great but it’s not true surround sound so I thought I could use the surround sound speakers in conjunction with the HomePod stereo pair. Hope that all makes sense.
Thank you for replying. Let me clarify and see if this makes sense. So I currently have the HomePods setup as a stereo pair and are the main speakers for my TV. I actually have the TV speakers turned off. I also have the ARC setup so anything I plug into the HDMI ports on the TV ie. Xbox, switch, etc…..the sounds form those come from the HomePods. What I curious about is, the house we bought has surround sound speakers ( front left and right, rear left and right and rear center) installed in the family room ceiling. I’m wondering if I can add an A/V receiver to my current setup to run those surround sound speakers while keeping the HomePod stereo pair. The HomePod stereo pair is great but it’s not true surround sound so I thought I could use the surround sound speakers in conjunction with the HomePod stereo pair. Hope that all makes sense.
It’s possible to use them for regular tv sound output without a receiver with the set up you have. As long as the HDMI cable is plugged directly into the eARC or ARC port on your tv . They must be set as the default audio in Apple TV 4K settings for this to work . Under that setting is ARC (Audio Return Channel) - Enable that as well . You might need to adjust some settings on your television.(for Sony this is enabling BraviaSync and for Samsung: Anynet+) see: If you can't control your Apple TV with your home theater or universal remote for more tv models and settings regarding this
See: Use HDMI ARC or eARC with your Apple TV 4K - this is about using them for Apple TV but has the settings you need to use.
I see what you’re asking. Unfortunately I can’t answer on how it’s done or if it can be done.
Using Homepod Stereo pair with surround sound speakers
