Apple Tests 4-Speaker HomePod Surround System and Party Mode in audioOS 27 Beta
Updated
Updated · MacRumors · Sep 4
Apple Tests 4-Speaker HomePod Surround System and Party Mode in audioOS 27 Beta
3 articles · Updated · MacRumors · Sep 4
Summary
Code in audioOS 27 beta 8 points to Apple testing a four-speaker HomePod surround setup with front-left, front-right, rear-left and rear-right speaker roles.
The software references automatic room calibration, speaker-position mapping, timing adjustments, bass management, EQ, dialogue enhancement and separate processing modes for movies and music.
Stereo playback could either be spatialized across all four speakers or kept on the two front units, while a new Party Mode for stereo-paired HomePods appears designed to spread sound more evenly across a room.
A tuning system called Forklift pairs two second-generation HomePods with two devices from an unknown AID12007 hardware family, hinting at unreleased HomePod hardware.
Apple’s Home app and Apple TV currently cannot configure four HomePods as a surround system, suggesting the features are still in testing ahead of a broader Home refresh.