It’s annoying that Apple’s new HomePod won’t set up as a stereo pair with an old one but it might help to save you money by buying used. I use two original HomePods in this configuration and I love it. They are connected to the Apple TV via ARC so can be used for not only TV but also our games consoles.

There are plenty of HomePods available on the used market, one of ours came that same way when I wanted to use them as a replacement for our home cinema system that broke.