Fixed Volume Output - Resets to 100%

[Mrihar]

I noticed that shutting off fixed volume output starts the ‘unfixed’ volume level a 100%. Thankfully I shut my source off before noticing this otherwise my 400w rms per channel amp would have blown my ear drums straight through the back of my skull…..and most likely damaged my speakers. Wouldn’t it make sense to start the ‘unfixed’ volume level at 0 for safety reasons.

On that note. What happens when you switch inputs from something that needs fixed volume (such as an AVR or device with its own volume control) to an input such as WiFi that depends wholly on the Ultra volume control? Will the volume remain fixed at 100% (very very very bad)? I wasn’t willing to test this for obvious reasons. The lack of clarity deterred me from switching inputs with ‘fixed volume output’ engaged. I don’t see a way to set ‘fixed volume’ per input which may be part of the solution.

 

[Yoku-San]

In your case, why use fixed output volume at all?

You can specify a volume for every input if you do not use the fixed setting., e.g. you could set the input for your AVR to 100% (which is essentially the same as fixed output volume since it is bit-perfect). Then the other inputs should have their own volume levels.

 

[pieterv1]

Still, this is something to be addressed, my worst fear as well.. A safety mechanism of some sorts could be implemented indeed to always reset the variable volume to 0% or a specific value like 20%.

 

[Yoku-San]

Still, this is something to be addressed, my worst fear as well.. A safety mechanism of some sorts could be implemented indeed to always reset the variable volume to 0% or a specific value like 20%.

But you switch from 100% fixed volume to 100% variable, why should this be a problem?

If you switch from a lower fixed volume to variable you could enable the same level as maximum volume level for the output.

 

[pieterv1]

But you switch from 100% fixed volume to 100% variable, why should this be a problem?

If you switch from a lower fixed volume to variable you could enable the same level as maximum volume level for the output.

I get your point, although a setting for this wouldn't hurt. Especially in situations like OP where he's using the volume control of a particular source device.

 

[Mrihar]

In your case, why use fixed output volume at all?

You can specify a volume for every input if you do not use the fixed setting., e.g. you could set the input for your AVR to 100% (which is essentially the same as fixed output volume since it is bit-perfect). Then the other inputs should have their own volume levels.

Yes, I recognized this solution shortly after I posted. Still, it would be nice to have this setting on a per input basis. That being said. There is another related problem that I unfortunately experienced this morning.

My setup
Denon x4200 AVR is the source. Center and Surround channels are sent directly from the AVR to the respective speakers. The AVR Front Left and Right line output going to the Ultra line input. The Ultra is set to 'Fixed Volume' for purpose of controlling this channel through the AVR along with the other 3 surround speakers.

Problem
I noticed some minor sync issues between the 5 speakers and noticed a Sync setting in the WIIM app. I selected the Auto Sync and BOOOOM!!! I was was nearly deafened by the tone that came out of the Front Left & Right speakers. It was so loud I was certain my speakers were pooched as they are rated for 145W and the amp driving them is 400W RMS per channel. After the 'stars' cleared I found everything, at least from what I could tell, to be undamaged. Regardless, WIIM needs to place some attention on safety in regard to this setting. If I had a baby, or even an adult sitting within 1 -2 feet of either of those speakers they would have had permanent hearing damage. If a simple WIIM code revision could save some unfortunate soul from a life of deafness I think its fair place to exert some effort.

 

[Yoku-San]

Yes, such things should be avoided. But in my opinion using fixed volume out at 100% is a very big risk if you connect the Ultra directly to a Poweramp with 400W.

Someone in your Wifi just has to connect to the Ultra using Spotify Connect and "Boom" your speakers or your ears might be dead.

 

[Wiimer]

Problem
I noticed some minor sync issues between the 5 speakers and noticed a Sync setting in the WIIM app.

Connecting the WiiM to the front pre-outs causes a delay in the front speakers by the WiiM. This may be difficult to solve with WiiM auto-sync. In my case, I solved this problem by adjusting the distance of the front speakers. Specifically, in the AVR speaker settings, set the distance of the front speakers farther than the other speakers.

For example, if the surround speakers are set to 2 m, set the front speakers to 10 m. I played a delay test video on Youtube and fine-tuned it by ear.

 

[pieterv1]

@WiiM Team have a look at this please! Syncing when using the Ultra with a poweramp should happen at the pre-set volume, not 100%

I noticed some minor sync issues between the 5 speakers and noticed a Sync setting in the WIIM app. I selected the Auto Sync and BOOOOM!!! I was was nearly deafened by the tone that came out of the Front Left & Right speakers.

 

[Yoku-San]

@WiiM Team have a look at this please! Syncing when using the Ultra with a poweramp should happen at the pre-set volume, not 100%

Thing is, the Pre-set volume is 100% if you sync when using fixed volume. For me this is a clear case of an error by the user, even if it was unintentional.

 

[harkpabst]

Thing is, the Pre-set volume is 100% if you sync when using fixed volume. For me this is a clear case of an error by the user, even if it was unintentional.

One might ask for the synch function to be greyed out with fixed output volume, but since it is never clear what kind of kit comes after the Ultra, other users might not understand this limitation ...

 

[hoohoohoo]

In your case, why use fixed output volume at all?

You can specify a volume for every input if you do not use the fixed setting., e.g. you could set the input for your AVR to 100% (which is essentially the same as fixed output volume since it is bit-perfect). Then the other inputs should have their own volume levels.

Lots of us experiment with settings to see what they do. Sometimes you have to plan in software for both the sunny day case (everything good) and the rainy day case (something adverse happens). It's a corner case that can be fixed in software if the WiiM team can address it.

 

[cooky560]

I don't see anything adverse coming from turning off fixed mode dropping the volume to 0, and then back to 100 when fixed is enabled again.

 

[STL]

WiiM Ultra owner here. Ran into this fixed volume feature today and I also agree with OP to limit, or reset fixed volume to 0% so it can be adjusted, especially in bluetooth output. My scenario was similar to OP's but via bluetooth ouput of WiiM.

My kiddo was in front of my Nakamichi Dragon while I was doing some tests with fixed volume and did not realize this option would also blast my Dragon's bluetooth connection's volume straight to 100% max as well. The Nakamichi Dragon has an in-built app that comes with a few useful feature to limit max volume and to alert if there's a fast volume change (or so I thought). I had set my max volume to about 50% of max (+40 db) and enabled the notification when high/fast switching of volume is detected. Unfortunately both of those function did not help in this scenario. From WiiM Ultra, with the fixed volume option on, the bluetooth volume of the Dragon also shot up to 100% and my Dragon's app volume limit function was completely bypassed. My poor kiddo started crying, and I quickly paused the WiiM to cut off the source.

This Dragon does get extremely loud and it would be great if the volume on the WiiM could reset to 0 so it can be adjusted back up slowly. At least, if it can't, a warning message when the Bluetooth Output is active, that the fixed volume will make the speakers operate at 100% and a dialogue box should prompt user to acknowledge and make the change any way if he/she/they chose to do so.

On a side topic, bluetooth output with any speaker, and even w/o fixed volume option on should just reset to 0, or an option for a user to set up lower thresholds per output type. I typically listen using headphones and have my WiiM setup at 50%, while it feeds through my Schitt DAC/EQ/AMP stack, which thankfully has a volume cut-off as well as analog dials to control volume - avoiding any accidental software/digital gains.