Apple may soon make significant improvements to the home theater capabilities of its smart speakers. Elements discovered in the audioOS 27 beta 8 reveal the existence of configurations using four HomePods, with two speakers placed in front of and two behind the listening area. This is a major step up from the current system, which is limited to a single HomePod or a stereo pair connected to an Apple TV 4K. The code also reveals acoustic calibration specifically tailored to this setup, new surround sound processing, and even a reference to a previously unknown Apple speaker.
Four HomePods to create true surround sound
Currently, two second-generation HomePods can be paired in stereo and set as the default audio output for an Apple TV 4K. This setup already supports Dolby Atmos soundtracks, but the immersive experience relies primarily on the spatialization of the signal from two speakers positioned in front of the listener.
Elements discovered in audioOS 27 suggest that Apple wants to take things much further. Several configuration files explicitly reference four positions: front left, front right, rear left, and rear right. Each of the four HomePods would then have a specific role and acoustic processing.
The front speakers would be designed to account for possible placement near walls or in the corners of the room. The rear HomePods, meanwhile, would provide a more diffuse, omnidirectional sound to effectively fill the space behind and around the listeners. This would bring the experience much closer to that of a true home theater system with physical surround speakers.
Fully automatic acoustic calibration
As with current HomePods, Apple is reportedly relying heavily on digital processing to simplify setup. Files discovered in audioOS 27 mention a new automatic calibration system designed for the four speakers. This system is reportedly capable of identifying the positions of the various HomePods, measuring their time delays, and synchronizing their operation. The system could then automatically adjust bass management, equalization, and various acoustic settings based on the room. In particular, the code includes a matrix for mapping the four speakers. This approach is already common in the world of home theater, whether in AV receivers or high-end soundbars.
Different approaches for films and music
Apple also appears to have designed several operating modes depending on the content. For movies and multichannel programs, audioOS 27 features dialogue processing, specialized bass management, dynamic range control, equalization, and immersive spatial mixing. A low-latency surround mode is also included, which could be particularly useful for video games.
Music would benefit from separate settings. For stereo content, Apple is reportedly even testing two approaches: the first would spatialize the music across all four HomePods to better fill the room, while the second would maintain true stereo playback from the two front speakers, with the rear HomePods remaining silent.
However, it remains unclear exactly how Apple will implement Dolby Atmos with this architecture. The presence of four physical speakers could theoretically significantly improve the perception of rear effects compared to the current pair of HomePods, but the information discovered in audioOS does not yet allow us to determine precisely what channel configuration Apple will support.
A mysterious “Party Mode” is also in the works
These investigations also revealed a new Party Mode designed, this time, for HomePods used in a stereo pair. Its goal is reportedly not to maximize the precision of the stereo image from a specific listening position, but rather to achieve more consistent sound distribution throughout the room. To achieve this, Apple uses a rendering mode described as “diffuse” in its configuration files. The soundstage is therefore intentionally widened so that multiple people throughout the room can enjoy a more consistent listening experience. Even Siri and system sounds benefit from this expanded processing.
Is there a new Apple speaker hidden in audioOS 27?
Another interesting discovery involves a configuration with the internal codename “Forklift.” The latter pairs two second-generation HomePods with two speakers belonging to a currently unknown hardware family, identified by the reference AID12007. The current HomePod 2 belongs to the AID12001 family. AID12007, however, does not correspond to any HomePod currently on the market. It could therefore be a future generation of HomePod, a new HomePod mini, or an entirely new product. The information contained in audioOS does not allow for a definitive conclusion.
Apple is said to have tested at least two home theater setups: four identical HomePod 2 speakers, as well as two HomePod 2 speakers in the front paired with two AID12007 speakers in the back. This second option could make for a more affordable system by using more compact rear speakers.
Apple could pose serious competition to wireless home theater systems
Such a development would significantly change the HomePod’s positioning. Until now, Apple’s solution has been more of a very simple alternative to a stereo soundbar than a true multichannel home theater system. With two physical rear speakers, the brand could compete directly with wireless systems offered by companies such as Sonos and Bose.
Integration into the Apple ecosystem would naturally be its main advantage. The Apple TV would handle signal decoding and distribution, while HomePods could automatically determine their position, synchronize with one another, and adapt their sound output to the room’s acoustics. This way, users wouldn’t have to run speaker cables or set up an AV receiver.
Such simplicity would, however, have its limitations. Even with four HomePods, this setup would not necessarily replace a true home theater system consisting of dedicated speakers and a subwoofer, particularly in terms of sound pressure, bass extension, or scalability.
The presence of these features in the audioOS 27 beta is a particularly interesting clue, but Apple has not yet announced any four-HomePod surround sound system. The discovered features are currently not accessible through either the Home app or Apple TV, and there’s no guarantee that all of them will be included in a public release of audioOS. The timing is intriguing, however. These discoveries come as several new home-focused devices are expected in the Apple ecosystem. The mysterious reference number AID12007 further reinforces the hypothesis that a hardware update will accompany these new features. It remains to be seen whether these features will actually make it out of the Cupertino labs.
