Looking for advice

[dmill]

Hello, I'm at the beginning of the multiroom music journey and I'd like some advice. Here is what I already have:

1. Kitchen: A set of Edifier bluetooth speakers, with a wired sub (the Edifier has a 3.5mm input - but I usually connect by BT from my phone)
2. Basement: PA system (Soundboard with powered speakers)
3. A small portable bluetooth speaker (has a 3.5mm input)
4. A Mac Mini, iphone, ipad, Android phone, Android tablet, that can be used as a player
5. Everything is on wifi with no ethernet wiring in the house

So you can see I don't have a lot

I am looking for a cost effective way to stream the same audio to at least 4 places - the Kitchen, Living room, Basement and a portable speaker.

How many Wiim devices do I need?
Should I consider getting some speakers that are Wiim compatible?

Any advice would be awesome!

 

[d6jg]

That depends on your budget and whether a small lag - Bluetooth - in some locations is acceptable?

The best solution would involve 4 x WiiM all connected to either powered speakers or amp and speakers.

1. Kitchen - WiiM wired to Edifier
2. Basement - WiiM wired to Soundboard (is this possible?)
3. Replace Bluetooth speaker perhaps with AirPlay speaker ?
4. ??

You don't actually say what you currenly use in the Living Room?

 

[Doublej]

Seems like the simplest approach would be to make sure every speaker is an AirPlay 'speaker'. To achieve this either the speaker will have AirPlay built in, or you purchase a WiiM Mini, Pro or Pro Plus and connect it to the input of a powered speaker turning which will turn the speaker into an AirPlay speaker, or you buy a WiiM Amp and connect it to a pair of passive speakers which will power the speakers and turn it into an AirPlay device.

You can mix all three as desired.

 

[dmill]

Thanks! These are helpful answers.

OK, I think I'm getting close.

Kitchen: Wiim mini, wired to Edifier R1700BT --> Sub
Living room: Wiim mini, wired to Edifier R1700BT --> Sub
Basement: Wiim mini, wired to Soundboard --> Power PA speakers
Portable: BT or Airplay speaker, compatible with Wiim (?) - what is good for under $200?

 

[Doublej]

You might want one of the minis to be at least a Pro. That way the WiiM can also be an AirPlay casting device. The differences between the models can be found on this page: https://wiimhome.com/wiimpro/overview

If you like the Edifier speakers you own, I would check out the Edifier MS50A for an AirPlay speaker under $200. If you want stereo speakers, then your best bet is a WiiM Mini and a pair of Edifier powered speakers, Edifier R1280T perhaps.

 

[d6jg]

If you really want to play all 4 simultaneously then it would be best to have 4 x WiiM. A BT speaker with lag a little.
As someone else said 1 should be a Pro Plus as the master if Airplay is involved