HomePod not playing certain elements of songs

Hello MrPeebs,

First, does that also happen when playing through the device itself? If so, this could also also be a setting related to Dolby Atmos audio from your devices. You may check if Lossless Audio is enabled. Learn more about those settings here: https://youtu.be/cf4o0I30nAg

If the issue persists only when connected to HomePod, we'd recommend the following steps:

1. Reset your HomePod once more: Reset HomePod
2. Check your settings for playing audio from your iOS and Mac devices to HomePod: Play audio on HomePod using an iOS or iPadOS device
3. Update your HomePod software: Update HomePod
4. Update iPhone: Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
5. Update Mac: Update macOS on Mac

Narrowing down the issue to either being on the devices itself or only when connected to HomePod should help to get a path to resolving the issue with the steps we've shared.

Take care!

Hello MrPeebs,

To help resolve the issue with your HomePods, we recommend making sure the HomePod is up-to-date shown in the

Make sure that your device is updated to the latest version of iOS, iPadOS, or macOS. 

Open the Home app. Select Home , then Home Settings > Software Update.

Select HomePod to turn automatic updates on or off. If there's a new update, select Update. Software Update will also tell you if your HomePod is already up to date, and show you the installed HomePod software.

Power down all of your devices and restart them:

Restart your iPhone

Shut down or restart your Mac

You can also try deleting one of the affected songs and download it again to see if the same thing occurs.

Best Regards.

Hello MrPeebs,

Since you've tried all the articles and steps we suggested make sure to Contact Apple Support

We hope this helps.

Cheers.