5.1 Setup Questions

[mrtherm]

Got a few questions and setup ideas regarding how the 5.1 Setup can actually work.
Even with the articles i don't believe they truly give a good example of what/how it can be done.

My scenarios is
2x AMP (already have)
Planning to get the AMP Ultra as the Dolby Decoder (Main Unit)

So my setup idea is
Amp Ultra (Main Source) > Front L&R + SUB
AMP to run a Centre Channel
AMP to run Surround L&R Pair

So, when setting up the 5.1 can you set the AMP to run the single output to the Centre Channel as the Centre Channel? Can it automatically know it's running a single speaker?

Alternatively (which i would actually prefer to see implemented if not suported already)
Are we able to run a 3.1ch Dolby Setup with an AMP Ultra + AMP?

The Centre Channel seems to be more 'vague' in how it's actually setup. A powered wireless speaker would work easy, but that's not optimum compared to a proper Centre Channel speaker.

 

[Burnside]

The centre channel can be implemented by a Wiim amp as you describe - as it’s a single channel, I’d expect the WiiM amp to output that over each of its speaker outputs, so I’d just use one lead into the speaker - or two into two centre speakers Also, I’d not consider a powered speaker as not optimum - a WiiM edition audio pro a10 or c10, or the upcoming WiiM sound would be more than adequate I’d say.

I don’t see any reason why you couldn’t run a 3.1 system as described - just do’t specify any rear surround during setup.

 

[Wiimer]

Got a few questions and setup ideas regarding how the 5.1 Setup can actually work.
Even with the articles i don't believe they truly give a good example of what/how it can be done.

My scenarios is
2x AMP (already have)
Planning to get the AMP Ultra as the Dolby Decoder (Main Unit)

So my setup idea is
Amp Ultra (Main Source) > Front L&R + SUB
AMP to run a Centre Channel
AMP to run Surround L&R Pair

So, when setting up the 5.1 can you set the AMP to run the single output to the Centre Channel as the Centre Channel? Can it automatically know it's running a single speaker?

Alternatively (which i would actually prefer to see implemented if not suported already)
Are we able to run a 3.1ch Dolby Setup with an AMP Ultra + AMP?

The Centre Channel seems to be more 'vague' in how it's actually setup. A powered wireless speaker would work easy, but that's not optimum compared to a proper Centre Channel speaker.

Yes, Amp can be linked as a centre channel.

Here, the fronts are Amp Ultra , the surrounds are Ultra and the centre is Amp pro.


On the device card, the centre speaker 'C' icon is greyed out and cannot be switched between L/R, so it is probably playing in mono. At this time, the Audio Settings screen also does not allow switching between Stereo and Mono.


However, it is better to submit a ticket through the feedback section of the WiiM app and ask the team.

 

[mejiro]

I don’t see any reason why you couldn’t run a 3.1 system as described - just do’t specify any rear surround during setup.

This doesn't work. You can't specify a center if you haven't specified surrounds.

However, it is better to submit a ticket through the feedback section of the WiiM app and ask the team.

Yes, please do - I'd like easier support for 3.1, too.

 

[Wiimer]

This doesn't work. You can't specify a center if you haven't specified surrounds.


Yes, please do - I'd like easier support for 3.1, too.

Yes
If you have three or more WiiM devices, set up 5.1 ch first. You can then remove the WiiM device for the surround speakers from the group to create 3.1 ch.

Conversely, it is currently not possible to create 3.1 ch with two WiiM devices; I recommend submitting a request ticket via the feedback section of the WiiM app.

 

[mejiro]

The solution you describe is only temporary. If you remove the third device, then play a stereo source, and then a 5.1 source, the second device will now be a surround not a center.

 

[Wiimer]

The solution you describe is only temporary. If you remove the third device, then play a stereo source, and then a 5.1 source, the second device will now be a surround not a center.

My tests yielded different results.

If I play Netflix in 3.1 ch and then watch YouTube, it switches to 'All Stereo'. When Netflix is played again, it switches to 3.1 ch. The same behaviour also applies when alternating between Netflix and music streaming (Amazon music).

However, if a group is deactivated during stereo playback, it is necessary to start from a 5.1 ch configuration when the group is created again.

So this can be solved by muting the centre speaker during stereo playback.
(sure this is a compromise.)

 

[mejiro]

My tests yielded different results.

If I play Netflix in 3.1 ch and then watch YouTube, it switches to 'All Stereo'. When Netflix is played again, it switches to 3.1 ch. The same behaviour also applies when alternating between Netflix and music streaming (Amazon music).

Interesting! I did not see this behavior when streaming music on Deezer and then switching to Amazon.

 

[Wiimer]

Interesting! I did not see this behavior when streaming music on Deezer and then switching to Amazon.

Both Deezer and Amazon support only stereo playback, don't they?
Which source are you using for 3.1ch?

When creating a 5.1ch group, Dolby Digital audio must be output via the TV. After assigning one WiiM as the centre channel in the WiiM's Dolby settings screen, remove the WiiM intended for surround sound from the group.

The follower device on the device card will then display a 'C' icon, as shown here.


Next, when I play Amazon Music on the TV, the icon changes to 'LR'.


When I play a Dolby film again, it reverts to 'C'.

 

[mejiro]

Thank you for posting your screenshots. They prompted me to try again. For maybe one out of ten 5.1 movies or shows in Amazon, I sometimes saw LR for both the front and center channels. Restarting the movie would always eventually fix the problem, though sometimes it took a couple of restarts.

(By "3.1", I meant "5.1" minus the surrounds.)

 

[Wiimer]

Thank you for posting your screenshots. They prompted me to try again. For maybe one out of ten 5.1 movies or shows in Amazon, I sometimes saw LR for both the front and center channels. Restarting the movie would always eventually fix the problem, though sometimes it took a couple of restarts.

(By "3.1", I meant "5.1" minus the surrounds.)

I haven't encountered that issue, but I haven't done a long viewing test. In any case, I recommend sending a ticket.

Since it is already possible to playback in 3.1ch, I think they can set up a toggle to configure 3.1ch with two WiiMs. (My opinion.)

 

[kwolter]

My tests yielded different results.

If I play Netflix in 3.1 ch and then watch YouTube, it switches to 'All Stereo'. When Netflix is played again, it switches to 3.1 ch. The same behaviour also applies when alternating between Netflix and music streaming (Amazon music).

However, if a group is deactivated during stereo playback, it is necessary to start from a 5.1 ch configuration when the group is created again.

So this can be solved by muting the centre speaker during stereo playback.
(sure this is a compromise.)

Are you seeing Dolby detected when watching Netflix? For some reason I’m not. When I switch to YouTube TV sources it seems to be there.

 

[Wiimer]

Are you seeing Dolby detected when watching Netflix? For some reason I’m not. When I switch to YouTube TV sources it seems to be there.

Yes, I have Doldy playback on both my Google TV and FireTV stick.
(My subscription is an ad-supported plan.)



Is 5.1 ch audio selected in the audio menu on Netflix video?

 

[kwolter]

Yes, I have Doldy playback on both my Google TV and FireTV stick.
(My subscription is an ad-supported plan.)
View attachment 26190
View attachment 26191

Is 5.1 ch audio selected in the audio menu on Netflix video?

I’ll take a look. Is this only an option for the 4K service?

 

[Wiimer]

I’ll take a look. Is this only an option for the 4K service?

No, I don't subscribe to the 4k service, the HD only standard plan supports 5.1ch, the 4k premium plan supports Dolby Atmos, but WiiM will not play it.

 

[Wiimer]

I’ll take a look. Is this only an option for the 4K service?

However, the already discontinued SD Basic Plan does not support 5.1ch...