airplay from apple tv 4k to homepods

I have 4 apple tv 4k’s. All are the wifi only versions with 1 also having ethernet. all are connected through wifi. Most are connected to homepods as their sound output device.

Ever since the 17.4 update the ethernet version of the apple tv has a 3-5 second lag starting any airplay from iphone, ipad, mac mini, etc. Recorded video has the start lag but will usually play. Live video streams will lag, fail and disconnect airplay from my iphone, ipad, mac mini, etc.

If I swap the ethernet apple tv with a wifi only version, airplay works fine. I have reset the ethernet apple tv as well as reset and download firmware with the same issue.

Here’s the kicker, if i set the ethernet apple tv to use the tv speakers and not the homepod, the issue goes away.

Thoughts? bug?