[Completed Beta] Automatic timing alignment for Main Speakers and Subwoofer

[slartibartfast]

Prior of this new update I get the same number no matter how many times I run it. Now it goes 1 then 8 then 1 then 8. It is important to check features when we get new update as may cause a problem from existing feature.

I bet both of those settings have phase cancellation at the crossover frequency anyway. It doesn't try to optimise the phase at the crossover.

 

[MrA]

The time alignment doesn't use the phone mic, it uses the mic in the device.

Yes, I saw that previously but that introduces a major flaw in the process - full time coherence needs to happen where the listener sits so all frequencies regardless of source arrive 'to their ears' concurrently. Measuring from the location of the WiiM equipment means full time alignment only occurs at that position in the room & 'that' is where music will sound most correct....illogical unless that device is mounted at a point between their ears!

Sorry to hark on about this but I have been heavily into this process since 2012 and any study into the subject will always take the listening position as the point where subs and main speakers should converge correctly.

WiiM have it correctly when asking to place the main phone microphone in the listening position for room correction and this should also be the same for time alignment.

As an experiment would you be able to place your WiiM device against the headrest of your listening chair and measure from there? (assuming we know where this supposed microphone sits in the casing - I am still dubious that this exists as I haven't seen anything locating it and in any case accuracy would demand that the mic is not obscured by surfaces surrounding it which would also cause reflections to certain frequencies etc. Time alignment in its most basic form will process the initial peak of the highest subwoofer frequency against the initial peak of the main speaker tweeters. Those tweeter frequencies will be compromised unless the mic stands free from surrounding surfaces).

See the attached images of the professional mic that I use which is typical of any other types. The main pic was taken during 'anechoic' time alignment & calibration of the various individual drivers in my OB speakers, outdoors on a quiet dry day, elevated high above & away from any other surfaces to avoid reflections and as you see there are no other reflective surfaces at the recording tip of the mic. Subs were also frequency time aligned here and then all were time aligned together in the music room from the listening position.

 

[harkpabst]

Yes, I saw that previously but that introduces a major flaw in the process

Slarti didn't make this up or conclude this from his measurement experience: It's been confirmed by WiiM that automatic timing alignment uses the mic built into the WiiM device.

And yes, I agree that it doesn't make sense. So, it's not so much about this function not trying to optimise the phase at the crossover frequency. It's technically impossible using this approach.

 

[s3igell]

(assuming we know where this supposed microphone sits in the casing - I am still dubious that this exists as I haven't seen anything locating it

Look at page 9 of the WiiM Pro / Pro Plus pdf manual (back side between USB-C Power and SPDIF-In).
Look at page 5 of the WiiM Mini pdf manual (right of the SPDIF-Out - labeled "1 AMIC for AirPlay2 Sync")
Look at page 10 of the WiiM Amp pdf manual (back side between RCA Sub-Out and bottom-left Speaker Binding Post)
Look at page 11 of the WiiM Amp pdf manual (back side lower left of the RCA-Out Red)

In all models, the mic is recessed within the case accessed through a small hole (that too many "pundits" have advised in various threads is the "Reset Button").

 

[guy48065]

Might it be better if WiiM were to make it possible to do the RC & time alignment externally? Like what if you could export the data gathered by the frequency sweep into a 2nd party program, or REW, or something downloaded from WiiM.