Dolby Atmos Home Theater

Apple claims that the HomePods (not the HomePod mini) can use the Dolby Atmos signal from Apple TV 4K (not the Apple TV 4th generation or earlier), which is part of what they call home theater audio. Although they only mention Atmos briefly in the intro text.

Set up home theater audio with HomePod and Apple TV 4K - Apple Support

Dolby Laboratories says that you should need a 5.1.2 sound system or better, to experience the immersive sound of Dolby Atmos. That is, there should be speakers around the listener, including more than one audio direction from above.

While I haven’t listened to HomePods this way, I am a bit skeptical how two speakers in front of you can make you experience sound as from a dome all around you, with specific sounds from specific directions. Room filling sound is easy with a cylindrical speaker, but directions are far more precise with 7 or more speaker locations.

As re-processed sound, the HomePods give more like a virtual Atmos.

When the Apple TV 4K doesn’t detect a compatible Atmos-capable audio system (AV receiver or soundbar) in the HDMI chain, then the Immersive Audio options isn’t showing. Use of HomePods doesn’t change that. HomePods are network speakers, and can’t be used from an Atmos-capable AV receiver.

Their documentation could be made more clear on what users can expect, I agree on that part. Support documents shouldn’t be so marketing driven as they currently are.