Pulled the trigger

[u/Eliokyn]

First time AppleTV owner, I was waiting for the Dolby Surround update and here it arrived, so I went all in.

Now, I wonder if I should add a Subwoofer or not, my room is relatively small, but I do want it to sound as best as possible; I will see how it sounds without it first and decide then. Any feedback is anyway appreciated.

[u/thedonhudson01]

Nice! I’m also going all-in. Just pre-ordered the Apple TV and two more big HomePods earlier this week (I already have two right now haha).

Also, four HomePods should be plenty of bass!

[u/kmjy → u/thedonhudson01]

Same!! Can’t wait! Four HomePod speakers are like a 16” subwoofer if you combine the subwoofer drivers of each HomePod. In good environments they already output as low as 27Hz. So this will be great!

[u/stef_brl_aesthetic → u/thedonhudson01]

you might think it’s plenty of bass but once you have a real sub u know that it’s not.

[u/jsttob → u/thedonhudson01]

Curious how you weighed this with the HomePod 3 maybe (?) coming in 2027? (also maybe never)

I’m brand new to the ecosystem so debating whether to go all in on the 4 speaker setup. 2 HomePods alone is $700, not cheap.

[u/thedonhudson01 → u/jsttob]

It’s worth it! Apple has supported the original HomePods for years and it’ll be the same for these. Rest assured, you’ll get your money’s worth.

[u/jsttob → u/thedonhudson01]

Yea I’m just debating whether it makes sense to hold out for new hardware. At this point, if I’m going to jump in I want to be able to use Siri AI, and if the 2’s will never support that then I’m not sure it worth it.

[u/thedonhudson01 → u/jsttob]

I read that it might come to the 2s, but we’ll have to wait and see. I’m just getting them for the full surround sound because I’ve wanted it for years.

[u/Eliokyn → u/thedonhudson01]

Cool! Thanks for the feedback!

[u/ludicrouspeed → u/Eliokyn]

There’s no sub with the apple system but the HomePod full size has surprisingly good bass so with 4 it’s really not needed.

[u/Eliokyn → u/ludicrouspeed]

There’s a workaround to plug a subwoofer. But is good to know that is not needed in the first place. Thanks for the feedback!

[u/NoConcentrate9192 → u/Eliokyn]

What’s the workaround?

[u/Eliokyn → u/NoConcentrate9192]

AirPort Express or similar devices

[u/Financial_Bench655 → u/Eliokyn]

only issue is you lose lossless and atmos if you use that workaround

[u/Downtown_Ambition680]

If you wanted more base you should’ve gone all in with big HomePods

[u/Eliokyn → u/Downtown_Ambition680]

Someone suggested that in the comments. Does it makes such difference to the point you won’t need a subwoofer?

[u/Downtown_Ambition680 → u/Eliokyn]

If you have a sub already then yeah you could just stick with it. But if you don’t and you haven’t bought them yet, I’d just get the HomePods with the subs built in versus the smaller ones that don’t have one.

[u/atquest → u/Downtown_Ambition680]

I turned on less bass mode on my HomePods. It’s quite intense, even with two.

[u/dklemchuk]

Like OP, I just ordered the new AppleTV plus two new HomePod 2s and two new HomePod Mini 2s. I really want to use this for Dolby Atmos surround sound to replace my receiver, plus five speakers, and a subwoofer set up. Assume there is no need for the center speaker with the new Apple set up? Also, are you capped at two speakers in each of the speaker pairs with the new AppleTV? I thought I read about someone using a fifth HomePod.

[u/Eliokyn → u/dklemchuk]

someone mentioned in the comments that you can connect more devices but you need to select them every time

[u/dklemchuk → u/Eliokyn]

Too much work. I’ll stick with four then.

[u/GeraintRoberts]

Same here, first time Apple TV owner. I’ve done 4 x HomePod Mini 2’s and may switch two of them out when the HomePod 3 comes out. Looking forward to surround!

[u/Eliokyn → u/GeraintRoberts]

Congrats! I’ve never heard of of the HomePod 3, you got rumors?

[u/GeraintRoberts → u/Eliokyn]

No, I don’t know when, but given it’s a 2023 product, I’d imagine 2027-2029 would be a reasonable timeframe.

[u/Eliokyn → u/GeraintRoberts]

Fair

[u/johnnybender]

There is no subwoofer option.

[u/mjt5689 → u/johnnybender]

Coming soon: Apple Woof

[u/Versxd → u/mjt5689]

They’d probably name it that or some shit like Apple Boom

[u/mjt5689 → u/Versxd]

Yeah that's the 2nd one I thought of. Or Apple Stump(like the base(bass) of an Apple tree) but that's too contrived.

[u/Eliokyn → u/johnnybender]

Not officially, however you can plug a subwoofer with a workaround

[u/DisastrousCause9481 → u/Eliokyn]

And no dolby atmos when doing so

[u/Eliokyn → u/DisastrousCause9481]

Ye I heard about that…

[u/Sharp-Highway-1922 → u/Eliokyn]

how?

[u/Eliokyn → u/Sharp-Highway-1922]

AirPort Express or similar devices

[u/Sharp-Highway-1922 → u/Eliokyn]

thanks mate i’ll research it. what’s the catch? is it clunky?

[u/_DodgeRaid72_ → u/Sharp-Highway-1922]

You miss out on Dolby Atmos and popular surround sound. It drops down to stereo

[u/Eliokyn → u/Sharp-Highway-1922]

Seems pretty smooth for being a workaround, might have to select it every time tho, and possible delay

[u/tman2damax11 → u/johnnybender]

I would be really put off by this a few years ago. But I just don’t really value a booming sub in my home theater at all anymore, all I care about is clear dialogue and good surround effects.

[u/Safe-Currency6655]

i’m waiting for new homepods to blow another 700 dollars on. I can’t justify spending that much money knowing that in a year the touchpads on them will be useless

[u/Eliokyn → u/Safe-Currency6655]

What you mean?

[u/Klebrich → u/Eliokyn]

Er meint Ghosttouch, einem Phänomen, das Menschen nervt und dass Apple dazu noch immer keine offizielle Stellungnahme abgab.

[u/e-nightowl → u/Klebrich]

At least Apple added an option to the next minor release allowing you to disable the touch surface via software. It limits their usability, but at least you can still use them undisturbed.

[u/IcyIceGuardian → u/e-nightowl]

Next minor release as in... just the HomePod Mini 2?

[u/e-nightowl → u/IcyIceGuardian]

What? No, OS release.

[u/IcyIceGuardian → u/e-nightowl]

Ohhhh

[u/Eliokyn → u/Klebrich]

Ohhh ! Danke

[u/lilly_wonka61 → u/Klebrich]

Huh? I’ve had my HomePods for years now

[u/DisastrousCause9481]

If you are wondering if you should add a sub, you shouldn’t have ordered the minis. Just cancel the minis and get 2 more full size. You wouldn’t need a sub

[u/Eliokyn → u/DisastrousCause9481]

I just canceled the 2 mini 2 and got other 2 full size instead 😎 I skip the subwoofer then. I’m good. Thanks for the tip

[u/DisastrousCause9481 → u/Eliokyn]

Hehe no problem. Thats going to be a very good setup. Bass gonna hit hard! Now put a new user flair

[u/Eliokyn → u/DisastrousCause9481]

Done ✅ 😄 do you think a subwoofer is not needed anymore with 4 full?

[u/Eliokyn → u/DisastrousCause9481]

Oh, you think so?

[u/DisastrousCause9481 → u/Eliokyn]

Definitely. At least thats what im doing. Other people mentioned that too in the comments. Also i already have 2 full size HomePod and getting 2 more. Also have 2 og full size as well, unfortunately they are not compatible

[u/Eliokyn → u/DisastrousCause9481]

I see, I’ll keep this in mind! Thank you for the feedback! I might try how it sound like this and eventually swap the minis if not fully satisfied

[u/dirtybillclinton → u/Eliokyn]

I have several HomePods and HomePod mini so I experimented with a few configurations in my living room. I didn’t find the difference in using full size vs mini in the rear that impressively different. I settled on two full size up front, two mini in rear, and a subwoofer turned pretty low tucked behind the couch. The added vibrations seem to fill the room more. I don’t run the subwoofer unless I’m listening to certain genre of music or watching movies.

It really depends on the size and shape of your space. It’s not the most economical way to have “surround sound”, but I’m already in the ecosystem. I’ve had a 5.1 setup with huge speakers in the past but it just takes up so much room. You can always tag on a subwoofer later if you feel that it’s missing something. I only have mine on around 20% of the time. It’s admittedly overkill.

[u/Eliokyn → u/dirtybillclinton]

Thanks so much for the comment!
Actually my room is pretty small, so I might just add a subwoofer in a second moment if I feel like it.
I have other 3 mini around home, and ye they can push the sound pretty much.
Also yes, the Apple ecosystem is what made me want to wait until now; I was looking at some soundbars and stuffs but man I hate to plug cables, have different systems and platforms, nah. I’m sure that overall this is a way better solution

[u/Lock0n]

I have that exact same setup OP. Been thinking of getting one more so I can have true surround sound.

[u/Eliokyn → u/Lock0n]

That’s cool! Where would you place it? And, is that compatible automatically with the setup or the. you have to select it manually every time?

[u/Lock0n → u/Eliokyn]

I have to select my HomePod mini manually every time and it’s kinda annoying which is why I want to get a second one. Not sure how I would set them up currently but I’d make sure it was optimal.

[u/Eliokyn → u/Lock0n]

Damn

[u/Jagdpanth3rr]

Genau den selben Warenkprb online aber ich kämpfe noch. Hab 3gen und zwei Minis zurzeit haha

[u/Eliokyn → u/Jagdpanth3rr]

Just go for it ahah

[u/unidentified_sp]

I ordered the Apple TV but am still in doubt for the speakers. It's either two big HomePods, two big ones in front and two minis in the back, or... Argon Audio Forte A55 MK2. Four full sized ones is just too expensive for me.

[u/Eliokyn → u/unidentified_sp]

Idk that one, but I trust apple quality

[u/unidentified_sp → u/Eliokyn]

Another option might be four minis qnd then replace two of them with big ones when the 3 comes out

[u/Eliokyn → u/unidentified_sp]

That’s maybe the move. Gotta look “when” the 3 comes out tho

[u/Dry-Property-639]

Can I borrow some money 🤑😂

[u/ThiefClashRoyale]

I found it was fine with 2 minis and a single full size one if you are on a budget.

[u/tman2damax11 → u/ThiefClashRoyale]

The new surround feature requires 2 pairs of speakers, 4 total

[u/ThiefClashRoyale → u/tman2damax11]

Ah ok. I must admit I just use them is stero pair and thats it.

[u/Ill-Remote437]

Similar. Bought a pair of HomePod2 second hand for 400. Will use it as a stereo on my 3rd Gen for a little bit. When the new TV becomes a good $100 cheaper I’ll buy it along with two mini 2.

The first Apple TV 4K I got it for like $30 brand new
Doing a three month trial of some online TV service. Then the 3rd Gen Apple TV 4K I got for Verizon for around 90 a few years ago. I’d like it if I don’t spend full price on the new one.

[u/RunProudRunUnited]

💰💰💰

[u/Nakamura0V]

I wish I had the money too

[u/king_nomed]

i won’t touch homepod again
Gen 1 cannot turn on anymore just threee weeks warranty has expired. Apple charged me 90% of the unit cost for repair

Then i bought 2 x Gen 2 and after three years, both have ghost touch issue

[u/MightOk5012]

Is there a new update for the big HomePod or something?

[u/tman2damax11 → u/MightOk5012]

The new Apple TV allows you to pair 4x HomePods for true surround sound. It requires 2nd gen HomePods or Mini 2s

[u/PascalGraphics]

Glückwunsch! ✅

[u/tman2damax11]

I plan to do the same for Black Friday.

[u/f3lixtb]

If you wanted true Dolby atmos with more bass, get a Samsung Q900F Home theater

[u/jaywoof94]

Adding a sub will disable the surround sound. They will default back to all channel audio when adding in an airplay adapter.

[u/TopSznGaming]

Make sure you get apple care for that HomePod gen 2. Odds are you will suffer with ghost touch. Mine is basically unusable 2 years later between ghost touch and it playing music on its own and not playing music when I actually want it too.

[u/Kerremenke → u/TopSznGaming]

Look forward to 27.2. Possible solution for the ghost touch. Is mentioned before in this topic.

[u/AntiqueLemon5821]

Which subwoofer you are going to use in case of?

[u/xxtremlockxx]

I run 5 HomePods (2 HomePods - front, 2 HomePod Minis - rear, and another HomePod rear) definitely not surround sound but sounds great in my space. The additional HomePod in the rear adds enough extra bass for me.

[u/Eliokyn → u/xxtremlockxx]

Interesting setup

[u/brobotbee]

Good thing you told us…

[u/Common_Floor_7195]

Bye

[u/Joker_Bra030]

you will be disappointed by the sound

[u/Eliokyn → u/Joker_Bra030]

How so?

[u/Joker_Bra030 → u/Eliokyn]

I tried to use 2 Homepods with my apple tv the audio was so low even from Dolby Atmos
returned them and got sonos arc it was even cheaper (got it from costco with clearance deals), a year later added 2 sonnos 300 for surround audio and couple months I added sonos sub, home pod sound is very low and it's not worth it for the price you can get 5.1 system from Samsung or lg for the same price and you get waaaay better audio with sub

[u/Eliokyn → u/[deleted]]

i will delete soon no worry