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To make a stereo pair, use two HomePods of the same model, assign them to the same room in the Home app, then open one speaker’s settings and choose Create Stereo Pair. Placement depends on how you use them: for Apple TV 4K, Apple recommends putting the speakers on either side of the TV, about 4 feet apart; for general setup, each HomePod should rest on a solid surface with at least 15 cm of space around it.
Which HomePods can be paired?
The two speakers must be the same model. Apple supports these combinations: two HomePod mini speakers, two first-generation HomePods, or two second-generation HomePods. A HomePod mini and a full-size HomePod cannot form a stereo pair, nor can first- and second-generation full-size models be mixed. See Apple’s stereo-pair guide for the supported combinations; it covers HomePod software 26 or later.
How to create a HomePod stereo pair
- Set up both speakers. Use an iPhone or iPad to set up each HomePod and connect them to the same home and room in the Home app. HomePod uses the Wi-Fi network connected to the setup device. Apple’s initial setup instructions also recommend placing each speaker on a solid surface with at least 15 cm of open space around it.
- Start pairing in the Home app. Open the Home app, tap one HomePod, open its settings, and tap Create Stereo Pair.
- Follow the onscreen directions. Choose the other matching HomePod when prompted and complete the pairing steps.
Apple’s full walkthrough is Set up a HomePod stereo pair.
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How to choose placement
For Apple TV 4K
Place the paired speakers on either side of the television. Apple says about 4 feet apart is optimal for surround sound in this Apple TV 4K setup. Treat that as Apple’s TV-use guidance, not a universal spacing rule for every room or music-listening setup. The Apple TV 4K audio setup guide explains the supported arrangement.
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- Your favorite music and content – Play music, audiobooks, and podcasts from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify and others or via Bluetooth throughout your home.
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For music and general listening
Apple’s general setup guidance is to put each speaker on a solid surface and leave at least 15 cm of space around it. Apple does not specify a universal distance between speakers or a formula for positioning a music-only pair, so adjust their placement to your room and listening position rather than treating the Apple TV recommendation as mandatory.
Check channels or separate the pair
If left and right sound reversed from your listening position, open the paired HomePods’ settings in the Home app and go to Audio Settings to switch the channel assignment. To unlink the speakers, use Ungroup Accessories in that settings area.
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What changes when HomePods are paired?
Apple says only one speaker in the pair responds to Siri requests, plays alarms, and acts as a speakerphone. For Apple TV 4K, a stereo pair supports Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital 7.1, and Dolby Digital 5.1. HomePod mini does not support Dolby surround formats; Apple says those formats are rendered in mono or stereo on mini. These are format-support differences, not evidence that one model will sound better in every room.
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- Features a 4" high-excursion woofer and five beamforming tweeters for deep bass, clear vocals, and detailed room-filling audio.
- Room Sensing technology automatically adjusts sound based on where the speaker is placed.
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- Supports AirPlay, Spatial Audio, Thread, Matter smart home control, Bluetooth 5.0, and Wi-Fi 4.
- Pair two HomePod speakers for stereo sound or use multiple units for whole-home audio playback.
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