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

[slartibartfast]

I have always applied time correction prior to any room correction. However the setup I use is rather complex, using outdoor 'anechoic' measurements for time alignment of all individual speaker (driver)s and subs, then alignment between all of these at the listening position followed by room correction with lower bass frequencies only (the room is acoustically treated including corner bass traps so very little RC is required)

WiiM have already stated that this automatic timing doesn't even try to compensate for phase differences between the subwoofer and the main speakers at the crossover frequency so in my case where the sub doesn't have any DSP of it's own to introduce delay it isn't worth using. It is probably useful if there is an audible delay between the sub and main speakers to get you within a few milliseconds of the optimum value.

 

[s3igell]

What I find ironic was when I got the update I run it and got 27ms. I run it twice and got same result. Today I run it I got 7ms and run it again and got 7ms. What’s causing this variation?

Remember that WiiM indicated they use the tiny "Sync Mic" on the WiiM unit itself. Between the "27ms" and "7ms" measurements, did you move anything in/on your media rack that could have blocked a reflection path from the Sub to the WiiM??

 

[MrA]

Remember that WiiM indicated they use the tiny "Sync Mic" on the WiiM unit itself. Between the "27ms" and "7ms" measurements, did you move anything in/on your media rack that could have blocked a reflection path from the Sub to the WiiM??

1. That makes no sense, time alignment should be relative to the listener, not a random location in the room.
2. Bass notes would require large, dense surfaces to have any real impact so this is extremely unlikely.

 

[slartibartfast]

1. That makes no sense, time alignment should be relative to the listener, not a random location in the room.
2. Bass notes would require large, dense surfaces to have any real impact so this is extremely unlikely.

It might not make sense but it is true.

 

[pieterv1]

I remember reading a review a while back about the WiiM Ultra, hooked up as preamp directly to a poweramp. When the guy found the sync feature (I believe to sync with other WiiM devices), the sync signal blasted through his speakers at full volume.

Seems like this speaker measurement feature is a bit of the same sort of measurement, between individual speakers... I hope the volume issue has already been adressed?

Could someone shortly confirm that the Ultra will definitely do these sort of measurements for synchronisation, room correction etc at the set volume level and not at max volume?

Wouldn't like to have my speakers and my ears blown out when it's connected directly to my poweramp

 

[Smartplug]

Could someone shortly confirm that the Ultra will definitely do these sort of measurements for synchronisation, room correction etc at the set volume level and not at max volume?

Wouldn't like to have my speakers and my ears blown out when it's connected directly to my poweramp

I tried many volume level and the outcome was same. It does changes if you toe in or toe out. It also works with rc.

 

[Wiimer]

Could someone shortly confirm that the Ultra will definitely do these sort of measurements for synchronisation, room correction etc at the set volume level and not at max volume?

Wouldn't like to have my speakers and my ears blown out when it's connected directly to my poweramp

Yes, in auto-sync, the volume of the test sound is also linked by volume adjustment.

Volume 65% the first time, 25% the second time. Ignore my dog barking..
View attachment 1000001555.mp4


The same goes for RC, but I can't test it right now. Sorry.

 

[harkpabst]

Ignore my dog barking..

I thought that was the measurement signal in this case ...

 

[pieterv1]

Yes, in auto-sync, the volume of the test sound is also linked by volume adjustment.

Volume 65% the first time, 25% the second time. Ignore my dog barking..
The same goes for RC, but I can't test it right now. Sorry.

He's just trying to help it seems. Now show us the good boy please

 

[Wiimer]

He's just trying to help it seems. Now show us the good boy please

She is the culprit

(Please forgive my personal off-topic.)

 

[guy48065]

She is the culprit
View attachment 14196
(Please forgive my personal off-topic.)

By chance is your dog named "Ralph"?

 

[Wiimer]

By chance is your dog named "Ralph"?

No, but why?
(Sorry, is this some kind of joke? )

 

[QuarryHunslet]

She is the culprit
View attachment 14196
(Please forgive my personal off-topic.)

Forgiven

 

[guy48065]

No, but why?
(Sorry, is this some kind of joke? )

"Ralph the dog" was featured on the Stereophile audio test CD.
Woof!

 

[Smartplug]

@WiiM Support @WiiM Team Since I got the latest update from ultra that was release today the auto timing became erratic. First run I got 1ms then second run 8ms then third run 1ms and fourth run 8ms.

 

[MrA]

@WiiM Support @WiiM Team Since I got the latest update from ultra that was release today the auto timing became erratic. First run I got 1ms then second run 8ms then third run 1ms and fourth run 8ms.

You sure seem to like running this feature a lot!

Is it time to listen to some music yet?

 

[Smartplug]

You sure seem to like running this feature a lot!

Is it time to listen to some music yet?

I just listen to 5 songs repetitive everyday for the last many decades. Sometimes when new update release some of the feature get broken. It’s a nature of adding more code. We then report to get it fix.

 

[MrA]

I just listen to 5 songs repetitive everyday for the last many decades. Sometimes when new update release some of the feature get broken. It’s a nature of adding more code. We then report to get it fix.

It does look like the 8ms speaker delay is the most accurate for you as this number seems to crop up on most occasions.

Maybe WiiM should develop a more sophisticated/expensive remote incorporating a reasonable quality microphone for RC and time alignment measurement. This would remove variability from different phone microphones and could be calibrated accurately, providing quality control achieves a high degree of consistency.

 

[slartibartfast]

It does look like the 8ms speaker delay is the most accurate for you as this number seems to crop up on most occasions.

Maybe WiiM should develop a more sophisticated/expensive remote incorporating a reasonable quality microphone for RC and time alignment measurement. This would remove variability from different phone microphones and could be calibrated accurately, providing quality control achieves a high degree of consistency.

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

 

[Smartplug]

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.