With the rollout of tvOS 15, the Apple TV set-top box will also get spatial sound, via AirPods Pro or AirPods Max. The reason that the new spatial sound in tvOS 15 only works with the aforementioned AirPods has everything to do with the fact that this is ‘head tracking’ spatial audio. In other words: the sound follows the movements of your head. And that requires a sensor that is only present in those AirPods.
If you have one, the fun can definitely begin. According to Apple, it should provide a fully immersive sound experience by realizing a sense of space and height.
Pairing HomePod Mini
Also new in tvOS 15 for the Apple TV – if we’re sticking to audio capabilities for a moment – is the option to pair one or two HomePod Mini speakers. For that to work, by the way, in addition to the Apple TV, you also need to update the speakers’ firmware.
tvOS 15 was launched on September 20, so you can download it now and make the upgrade. At the same time as tvOS 15, iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 were also released. A new version of macOS is likely to be released sometime in October or November.