Ongoing Beta Beta Testing: Wireless Dolby 5.1 for WiiM Ultra

[Wosi]

Yeah, there are so many outstanding questions the FAQ article about surround sound doesn't address:

1. Is there a real center speaker? If yes, how to connect it?
2. Is one WiiM stereo (pre-)amp enough for the two rear speakers? The FAQ talks about one WiiM Pro for each rear speaker, which feels like a huge waste of resources.
3. Is Dolby Digital 5.1 over optical input supported? The FAQ only talks about HDMI ARC.
4. Is a subwoofer really required or does it also work with a 4.0 setup?

 

[Burnside]

Guess we’ll need to wait and see but as already said, the faq probably just shows one example of how it might be set up.
Re 1, if it is a physical speaker, it’ll be wirelessly connected in the group as there are no physical connections for such.
Re 2, the faq shows three surround settings - surround, surround left and surround right. The first looks like it would be accomplished by one WiiM device, but you have the choice of two.
Re. 3, I’d say probably as it already supports 5.2 for downmixing
Re 4, from my recollection, the .1 in 5.1 refers to a centre speaker, not sub.

But like the rest of the thread, a lot of this is speculation. Let’s wait and see what’s delivered.

 

[Smartplug]

You need all 3 speakers wireless for center and rear like a10 mkii?

 

[Burnside]

You need all 3 speakers wireless for center and rear like a10 mkii?

Maybe…

 

[hgo58]

In response to an issue with defining the "Master" of a new device Group, I have suggested the following to @WiiM Team

When creating a Group each device can be defined with 3 options:

Master (only one)
Follow
--
Front
Rear
--
Mono
Stereo
Left
Right
Center
Sub (if not included with Front device)

That would be a flexible and generic UI for both group creation and surround setup.

Illegal combinations shall of course give a warning.

Multiple groups can be created for different usages of the same devices

 

[Paffi]

I´m excited to test - have an WIIM Pro already waiting for the rears.

 

[Burnside]

In response to an issue with defining the "Master" of a new device Group, I have suggested the following to @WiiM Team

When creating a Group each device can be defined with 3 options:

Master (only one)
Follow
--
Front
Rear
--
Mono
Stereo
Left
Right
Center
Sub (if not included with Front device)

That would be a flexible and generic UI for both group creation and surround setup.

Illegal combinations shall of course give a warning.

Multiple groups can be created for different usages of the same devices

Maybe more pertinent to the persistent group thread?

Also, I don’t see a place for sub as surely that’s a physical connection and not a WiiM device as such? Also, won’t you need a “front surround” setting as well as “stereo” when say a device is providing a central channel as well as left and right? The WiiM faq already shows surround, surround left and surround right.

 

[hgo58]

Maybe more pertinent to the persistent group thread?

This is a suggestion that covers both.

Also, I don’t see a place for sub as surely that’s a physical connection and not a WiiM device as such?

This is for the (future) case where you can add a WiiM device as a Sub to the WiiMs that doesn't have Sub out. Maybe even a WiiM enabled Sub device . Just suggesting this for having a generic design.

Also, won’t you need a “front surround” setting as well as “stereo” when say a device is providing a central channel as well as left and right?

Maybe? In the case that there can be a special virtual center "speaker".

The WiiM faq already shows surround, surround left and surround right.

Yes. I am just suggesting to merge this with general group functionality for greater flexibility.