Features wanted in a Wiim Ultra 2

[harkpabst]

I don't think so.

 

[TonyE]

@harkpabst "I don't think so."


OK. then... if you make the statement.. then prove it. Why?

Let me prove my assertion. Today's listening set up... picture attached below.

Example.... a Fostex Wideband speaker like the FF225WK or FF165WK or FF105WK or FF103NV2 in the appropiate cabinet... cost well under 1000.

Much less than 1000..

Amplifiers... First Watt F6, F4, F5, XA252

More 2ch systems systems

Aleph 2 monoblocks to Maggie 1.7
Dual bridged F4 with FE22 step up to Audio Note AN K/LX
Marantz 2325 to ADS L810

I do have to admit, that as currently configured, the HT evens it out... Nuforce MCA20 to PSB Stratus Goldi... but that's for movies.

Most of the audiophiles I know, are in the same boat as I am. Amps more expensive than speakers.

In the market place... look at the Marantz separates... the amp runs $4K... what kind of speakers do you think they're being matched to?

Even in the NCore, Purify world. where the opportunity exists to flip the score... still, the amps are running into $2K... and way more.

In my experience, you can make a very good sounding speaker for not so much money... if you step away from the multi driver monstrosities and specify good sound and good Impulse Response.

Of course, as the link you and I shared elsewhere... where Bruno Putzeys described, it is possible- and desireable- to blend speaker, amp and DSP.. But until then, speakers tend to run less than amplifiers. And the end result, for the time being, is still quite expensive..

Kii Audio | Advanced Active Speakers for Home, Studio & Custom Install

Explore Kii Audio’s advanced active speakers with cardioid room control and DSP for precise, room‑friendly sound at home, in studios and custom installs.

www.kiiaudio.com

Yes, I would like to see a WiiM Ultra DSP that can do FIR filters for its room correction.

 

[EddNog]

@harkpabst "I don't think so."


OK. then... if you make the statement.. then prove it. Why?

Let me prove my assertion. Today's listening set up... picture attached below.

Example.... a Fostex Wideband speaker like the FF225WK or FF165WK or FF105WK or FF103NV2 in the appropiate cabinet... cost well under 1000.

Much less than 1000..

Amplifiers... First Watt F6, F4, F5, XA252

More 2ch systems systems

Aleph 2 monoblocks to Maggie 1.7
Dual bridged F4 with FE22 step up to Audio Note AN K/LX
Marantz 2325 to ADS L810

I do have to admit, that as currently configured, the HT evens it out... Nuforce MCA20 to PSB Stratus Goldi... but that's for movies.

Most of the audiophiles I know, are in the same boat as I am. Amps more expensive than speakers.

In the market place... look at the Marantz separates... the amp runs $4K... what kind of speakers do you think they're being matched to?

Even in the NCore, Purify world. where the opportunity exists to flip the score... still, the amps are running into $2K... and way more.

In my experience, you can make a very good sounding speaker for not so much money... if you step away from the multi driver monstrosities and specify good sound and good Impulse Response.

Of course, as the link you and I shared elsewhere... where Bruno Putzeys described, it is possible- and desireable- to blend speaker, amp and DSP.. But until then, speakers tend to run less than amplifiers. And the end result, for the time being, is still quite expensive..

Kii Audio | Advanced Active Speakers for Home, Studio & Custom Install

Explore Kii Audio’s advanced active speakers with cardioid room control and DSP for precise, room‑friendly sound at home, in studios and custom installs.

www.kiiaudio.com

Yes, I would like to see a WiiM Ultra DSP that can do FIR filters for its room correction.

This seems like a strange take. The way I see it, the choice of speaker (and subwoofer) has, not counting the room itself and its treatments, the greatest overall effect on what finally hits your ears (both because of the natural, anechoic tonality) as well as the way they interact with the room and how they can be placed. It seems to me that the largest portion of the budget should be dedicated to the absolute optimization of the speakers & sub to the room as well as ultimately suiting the taste of the listener in terms of tonality (I readily accept that not all listeners love Harman in-room-tilt as I do).

For example, my dad has a fully treated, dedicated listening room in his house. The room itself is quite narrow proportionally versus length/depth, so his choice of Magnepan LRS+ works exceptionally well because they minimize side wall interaction. The room itself also isn’t, as a whole, very large, and it’s fully enclosed since all doors are closeable, and he’s running the Rythmik L12 sub I gave him for foundation and low-end extension. This is a great setup for that room. He is also a generation older than I and for reasons of age prefer a brighter speaker to make up for lower high-frequency hearing sensitivity. Given his smaller room and the help of the sub, he is more than happy with the Topping B200s driving his Maggies.

Conversely, I do not have a dedicated listening space and must make do with a shared space that acts as family room and my home office for my system, and it must be placed sideways in the room so depth is much less than width. I do listen loud frequently, so I wanted speakers that have lower compression when cranked up, and I listen to music and movies with quite a bit more foundational bass, so for me, the MoFi SourcePoint 8 have proven to be the perfect solution in conjunction with an SVS SB-3000. These speakers are reasonably sensitive and not low-impedance, so the Topping B200s are more than sufficient to drive them as well.

In my dad’s case, you’re right, his amps cost more than his speakers, but in my case, they’re quite a lot less, and I frankly do not see how other amps would provide any improvement over my B200s in my setup.

-Ed