Moving from Sonos with Plex, multiroom, and TV - I have questions

[kro4k]

Like a lot of people, I'm looking at alternatives to Sonos now. Wiim has come up a few times but I'm confused at how integration would/could work given the wide product offering. It makes sense for "dumb" speakers but less certain in my situation.

I have a open concept house with a very large room. Currently, I have a TV + Arc for TV sound and four Era 100s spaced evenly around the room for music (been wanting to get a subwoofer but have been holding off given Sonos' state). In the garage gym I have a TV + Ray for TV sound and two Fives for music. I also have a turntable plus two wired powered speakers in another room for the turntable.

Music is pushed from a local Plex media server on my main computer. I play very little streaming music and primarily play local files.

Goal: In garage, play TV sound through a soundbar, have loud music be able to be played not tied to phone as a source. In house, have good music coverage with speakers spread out as we are frequently moving between our open concept living/kitchen/dining room. As well, have good TV sound in a large space.

And once setup, in an app that not tech-savvy people in the household can use.

Problem with Sonos: We've had app issues. Just had a Christmas party and half the speakers dropped out. Don't know why, and didn't have time to figure it out. Reboot fixed it. But tired of this and don't trust company direction.

Questions:

1. Can Wiim integrate with Plex and Sonos so I can skip the Sonos app? That is, can my Plex media server play music to my four grouped Era 100s and Arc in my living room, or my stereo pair Fives in the garage just through Wiim once setup?
2. Or, would I need to abandon Sonos? I'm okay with this, but am unsure how Wiim looks if I want to scatter single speakers throughout a large room. Is it a mini or Pro attached to every passive or active speaker?
3. If I could keep Sonos, would the components be Wim Pro / Ultra and then Minis line in'd to every Era 100/Five?
4. How is Plex currently integrating with Wiim? I've seen lots of discussion about it being worked on, haven't been able to find clarity if it's been more directly integrated yet.
5. In a case where I had say five physically separate speakers in my main room (Sonos or any brand), I assume it easy to handle grouping and volume controls? Currently I have single Era 100s scattered throughout the main room to provide music coverage everywhere. I'm not sure how this would work with Wiim yet.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Hazenhart]

I can offer some answers and opinions. I recently abandoned Sonos after more than a decade. My Sonos hardware was a little different than yours (Play speakers and Connects), but the general usage was/is similar.

For general multi-room / whole house audio, Linkplay (WiiM) hardware and the software works great. I mostly play flac files from a home NAS. I tried Plex, and it worked fine, but I switched to Minimserver because it is simpler, smaller, and more responsive as a server for music files. But your Plex server should integrate just fine with WiiM Home app. My wife prefers to stream via Spotify, and that works great as well.

You can group and ungroup all Linkplay devices much as you have been with Sonos, although there are a few details that are different. Whole-house party mode with everything blasting the same song? Absolutely. Different music in different rooms? Also yes. Paired L/R stereo devices? Yes. I even have a standalone subwoofer linked with full-range speakers via WiiM.

I don't know if your Sonos devices can be used in the Linkplay system, as all my Sonos gear was old, wouldn't work, and I got rid of all of it. For your self-contained networked speakers, you should look at the AudioPro line https://audiopro.com/collections/multiroom
I have 3 of the A10 MkII speaker that work flawlessly with my WiiM Pro+s. WiiM is/has developed a "WiiM edition" of this, but the AudioPro products are 100% compatible and excellent options.

I hope that helps.

 

[Burnside]

This other recent thread mentions the use of a Sonos ADC adapter to connect a Mini to an Era 100 so that would seem to address point 3.

T

Thread 'Trouble Streaming to Sonos'

Dec 20, 2024

Wiim Newbie here - I have a Wiim mini connected to my Onkyo Rz-50 receiver and a Wiim mini connected to my Sonos Era 100. I'm trying to create a multi room system where both the Onkyo and and Sonos systems are connected and play the same streaming music. I'm using the line out from the Wiim mini to the Sonos era via an adapter I bought off Amazon. However, the Era says it doesn't detect the "line-in" from the mini.

I'm wondering if this is because i'm not using an OEM Sonos line-in adapter. Any suggestions?

• Tobor
• Replies: 8
• Forum: Getting Started and General Questions

 

[kro4k]

I can offer some answers and opinions. I recently abandoned Sonos after more than a decade. My Sonos hardware was a little different than yours (Play speakers and Connects), but the general usage was/is similar.

For general multi-room / whole house audio, Linkplay (WiiM) hardware and the software works great. I mostly play flac files from a home NAS. I tried Plex, and it worked fine, but I switched to Minimserver because it is simpler, smaller, and more responsive as a server for music files. But your Plex server should integrate just fine with WiiM Home app. My wife prefers to stream via Spotify, and that works great as well.

You can group and ungroup all Linkplay devices much as you have been with Sonos, although there are a few details that are different. Whole-house party mode with everything blasting the same song? Absolutely. Different music in different rooms? Also yes. Paired L/R stereo devices? Yes. I even have a standalone subwoofer linked with full-range speakers via WiiM.

I don't know if your Sonos devices can be used in the Linkplay system, as all my Sonos gear was old, wouldn't work, and I got rid of all of it. For your self-contained networked speakers, you should look at the AudioPro line https://audiopro.com/collections/multiroom
I have 3 of the A10 MkII speaker that work flawlessly with my WiiM Pro+s. WiiM is/has developed a "WiiM edition" of this, but the AudioPro products are 100% compatible and excellent options.

I hope that helps.

That does, thanks.

So what is your setup like now? This is part of what I'm not understanding with Wiim. So each of your MKIIs has a Pro+ attached?

 

[Hazenhart]

That does, thanks.

So what is your setup like now? This is part of what I'm not understanding with Wiim. So each of your MKIIs has a Pro+ attached?

No, the AudioPro speakers have the Linkplay system built in. They appear on the WiiM app just like the Pro+.

 

[Burnside]

That does, thanks.

So what is your setup like now? This is part of what I'm not understanding with Wiim. So each of your MKIIs has a Pro+ attached?

Even non WiiM Edition audio pro speakers can be grouped with WiiM devices as they have a common Linkplay heritage.

 

[Hazenhart]

That does, thanks.

So what is your setup like now? This is part of what I'm not understanding with Wiim. So each of your MKIIs has a Pro+ attached?

A more lengthy discussion of my setup here:

H

Post in thread 'What's your setup/configuration look like?'

Nov 8, 2024

My setup provides audio throughout the house for casual listening -- listening while making dinner, lounging in the living room, relaxing in the back patio spa, or having people over for a drinks and fun. I have built and configured it for the ability to move music from one area to another, or to group different areas together to play collectively. It has replaced a similar Sonos setup that I ran for over a decade.
Sound quality is important to me, but within the reasonable bounds of the type of listening I am pursuing. I primarily stream flacs from my home NAS, as well as stream from...

• Hazenhart

• 

I am using Pro+ to feed and link pre-existing amplfiers and passive speakers (some in-ceiling, some bookshelves, my home theater).
The A10 MkIIs are for areas without pre-installed audio.

 

[rubato]

You can set up two Sonos Fives or Play:5s as a stereo pair and drive them from a single WiiM Mini or Pro. I did this in my living room for a couple of weeks while deciding which powered speakers to go with. The Sync Audio option in the Wiim Home App handles the Sonos line in delay.

After a dozen years as a Sonos customer, I now have a completely Sonos-free home. It's a relief, frankly. But there are certainly ways to incorporate Sonos hardware into a WiiM system.

 

[kro4k]

You can set up two Sonos Fives or Play:5s as a stereo pair and drive them from a single WiiM Mini or Pro. I did this in my living room for a couple of weeks while deciding which powered speakers to go with. The Sync Audio option in the Wiim Home App handles the Sonos line in delay.

After a dozen years as a Sonos customer, I now have a completely Sonos-free home. It's a relief, frankly. But there are certainly ways to incorporate Sonos hardware into a WiiM system.

I think what I'm realising is it'd be easiest to make a clean break and move away from Sonos. But then this opens up a more complicated world. One of the beauties of Sonos is that I have a soundbar (and was going to add a sub), four spatial Era 100s for music which also grouped with the sub, and then a soundbar and Fives in the garage for TV, music respectively.

And it was all in one place and could play together very easily. So it wasn't the best sound for TV or music but it was the best for our space.

So then as I piece together my setup, it'd look something like:

• Main Room TV: I have a pair of old Paradigm tower speakers, so a Wiim Amp Pro + add a subwoofer and maybe inexpensive wireless soundbar for center. Not sure what to do for rear audio with Wiim yet.
• Main Room Music: Replace the four Era 100s with four passive speakers + four Wiim Pros/Pluses or four AudioPro A10s/C10s. I don't know how good these AudioPro speakers are in comparison.
• Garage TV/Music: Probably an Amp Pro with two passive speakers that can play music or act as TV L/R. Doesn't need to be amazing, but does need to be loud.

 

[Hazenhart]

I think what I'm realising is it'd be easiest to make a clean break and move away from Sonos. But then this opens up a more complicated world. One of the beauties of Sonos is that I have a soundbar (and was going to add a sub), four spatial Era 100s for music which also grouped with the sub, and then a soundbar and Fives in the garage for TV, music respectively.

And it was all in one place and could play together very easily. So it wasn't the best sound for TV or music but it was the best for our space.

So then as I piece together my setup, it'd look something like:

• Main Room TV: I have a pair of old Paradigm tower speakers, so a Wiim Amp Pro + add a subwoofer and maybe inexpensive wireless soundbar for center. Not sure what to do for rear audio with Wiim yet.
• Main Room Music: Replace the four Era 100s with four passive speakers + four Wiim Pros/Pluses or four AudioPro A10s/C10s. I don't know how good these AudioPro speakers are in comparison.
• Garage TV/Music: Probably an Amp Pro with two passive speakers that can play music or act as TV L/R. Doesn't need to be amazing, but does need to be loud.

Recognizing I never used my Sonos system for any TV related audio, and I don't use my current WiiM system for any TV related audio, I think the Linkplay/WiiM universe is more flexible than Sonos.
The Mini/Pro/Pro+ units are akin to the old Sonos Connect, with more inputs and more control. If you already have amplification, add one of these to connect that amplifier/powered speaker to your system. You can even use it to add a powered subwoofer to an existing full-range system without running speaker or line level cables. If you need controls at/on the device, you get the Ultra.
The Amp/Amp Pro is the same as above, but when you want to integrate amplification into the source.

For the self-contained Linkplay stuff, I can confidently say that the A10 MkII audio quality is superior to the Sonos Play. I assume the C10 is even better. In general, AudioPro is a well respected hifi company with a reputation for quality sound.

 

[rubato]

I have an A10 Mk II in my kitchen, replacing an old Sonos Play:3. The location is not ideal, on top of a cabinet in a corner, but it still manages to sound good to my ears. The A10 uses balanced mode radiators and has a wide angle of dispersion, so a few of them should be a good fit to scatter around a room. There is no subwoofer out, though, you would need a C10 for that.

My own inclination, after the Sonos debacle, is to buy speakers I like and use them with separate streaming boxes. Good speakers will last as long as you want them, but streaming technology is subject to change. That said, I'm very pleased with Wiim: the Pro and Pro Plus are what the Sonos Connect and Port should have been*, at a third of the price.

* just for one example, you can do room correction with the Pro and Pro Plus. Can't do that with a Port.

 

[dtc]

I, like others, am annoyed at Sonos, but not some much I that am going to go out and spend $2K+ to replace them. So, I am mixing Sonos and Wiim streamers as needed.

I have 6 Plays/Ones/Eras and an old Playbar spread across 3 locations. I sometimes play just one area at a time and sometimes play them all together. The strength of Sonos is that they are always in sync without any hassle.

I use a separate program (JRiver, but it can be one of many, like Plex) and just play to the Sonos system through DLNA, using the Sonos app just to select which speakers to play. It is a little kludgy, but I usually just play everywhere, so I don't have to make changes in the Sonos app very often.

For streaming, I use a Wiim Pro and a Wiim Mini, with the Mini connected to one of the Eras through the analog connector. I still use the Sonos app for speaker selections. Again, not optimal, but also not that hard. Once Wiim implements DLNA casting, I will be able to just use the Wiim app to cast to the Sonos system without the analog connector.

I also have a separate Dac/amp/speaker system hooked to the Pro so I can play to that setup separately. I then link the Pro and the Mini when I want to play from everything. It takes a little to time sync the Sonos and the non-Sonos system, but it again is not that hard.

So, it takes some work to set up a hybrid system but it is not that hard if you are somewhat handy with the apps.

If you replace everything, you would have to add mulitple Wiims streamers/Speakers. But each speaker needs to be either a Wiim speaker or have a Wiim streamer to drive another brand speaker. In that setup, you have to be a little careful about syncing, but that is not that hard. But it is an expensive option.

So, the question is whether you are annoyed enough at Sonos to replace everything or whether this type of hybrid system works for you. I would also say that your Sonos 5s and the Era 100s are pretty good speakers and I would not just get rid of them unless the Sonos system just does not work. For me, I have had some app issues but my speakers always play and the only part of the app I really need is speaker selection.

 

[nortodd]

Like a lot of people, I'm looking at alternatives to Sonos now. Wiim has come up a few times but I'm confused at how integration would/could work given the wide product offering. It makes sense for "dumb" speakers but less certain in my situation.

I have a open concept house with a very large room. Currently, I have a TV + Arc for TV sound and four Era 100s spaced evenly around the room for music (been wanting to get a subwoofer but have been holding off given Sonos' state). In the garage gym I have a TV + Ray for TV sound and two Fives for music. I also have a turntable plus two wired powered speakers in another room for the turntable.

Music is pushed from a local Plex media server on my main computer. I play very little streaming music and primarily play local files.

Goal: In garage, play TV sound through a soundbar, have loud music be able to be played not tied to phone as a source. In house, have good music coverage with speakers spread out as we are frequently moving between our open concept living/kitchen/dining room. As well, have good TV sound in a large space.

And once setup, in an app that not tech-savvy people in the household can use.

Problem with Sonos: We've had app issues. Just had a Christmas party and half the speakers dropped out. Don't know why, and didn't have time to figure it out. Reboot fixed it. But tired of this and don't trust company direction.

Questions:

1. Can Wiim integrate with Plex and Sonos so I can skip the Sonos app? That is, can my Plex media server play music to my four grouped Era 100s and Arc in my living room, or my stereo pair Fives in the garage just through Wiim once setup?
2. Or, would I need to abandon Sonos? I'm okay with this, but am unsure how Wiim looks if I want to scatter single speakers throughout a large room. Is it a mini or Pro attached to every passive or active speaker?
3. If I could keep Sonos, would the components be Wim Pro / Ultra and then Minis line in'd to every Era 100/Five?
4. How is Plex currently integrating with Wiim? I've seen lots of discussion about it being worked on, haven't been able to find clarity if it's been more directly integrated yet.
5. In a case where I had say five physically separate speakers in my main room (Sonos or any brand), I assume it easy to handle grouping and volume controls? Currently I have single Era 100s scattered throughout the main room to provide music coverage everywhere. I'm not sure how this would work with Wiim yet.

Thanks for the help!

The WiiM Amp comes with a remote control which immediately gives it a significant advantage over Sonos. The WiiM Amp App seems to work without any fuss (unlike Sonos). The issue with Sonos speakers dropping out seems to be network related. Primarily both units must to be connected to either 5GHz or 2.4GHz. Even then you will still get one of the units dropping out, albeit momintarily.

 

[rubato]

I was going to suggest Airplay as another option for a hybrid system, since the Era 100s support that, but then I found this thread on the Sonos forum. So maybe don't count on that working. Alas.

 

[kro4k]

I, like others, am annoyed at Sonos, but not some much I that am going to go out and spend $2K+ to replace them. So, I am mixing Sonos and Wiim streamers as needed.

I have 6 Plays/Ones/Eras and an old Playbar spread across 3 locations. I sometimes play just one area at a time and sometimes play them all together. The strength of Sonos is that they are always in sync without any hassle.

I use a separate program (JRiver, but it can be one of many, like Plex) and just play to the Sonos system through DLNA, using the Sonos app just to select which speakers to play. It is a little kludgy, but I usually just play everywhere, so I don't have to make changes in the Sonos app very often.

For streaming, I use a Wiim Pro and a Wiim Mini, with the Mini connected to one of the Eras through the analog connector. I still use the Sonos app for speaker selections. Again, not optimal, but also not that hard. Once Wiim implements DLNA casting, I will be able to just use the Wiim app to cast to the Sonos system without the analog connector.

I also have a separate Dac/amp/speaker system hooked to the Pro so I can play to that setup separately. I then link the Pro and the Mini when I want to play from everything. It takes a little to time sync the Sonos and the non-Sonos system, but it again is not that hard.

So, it takes some work to set up a hybrid system but it is not that hard if you are somewhat handy with the apps.

If you replace everything, you would have to add mulitple Wiims streamers/Speakers. But each speaker needs to be either a Wiim speaker or have a Wiim streamer to drive another brand speaker. In that setup, you have to be a little careful about syncing, but that is not that hard. But it is an expensive option.

So, the question is whether you are annoyed enough at Sonos to replace everything or whether this type of hybrid system works for you. I would also say that your Sonos 5s and the Era 100s are pretty good speakers and I would not just get rid of them unless the Sonos system just does not work. For me, I have had some app issues but my speakers always play and the only part of the app I really need is speaker selection.

For me, the amount I can sell my Sonos for makes the switch worth it. I also have some older passive Paradigm towers I'll use - so that also reduces the pain. Without those my initial math would change (but I would start moving to Wiim regardless). As well, given I have a large space I really need to add to my Sonos setup - it needs a subwoofer and maybe a pair of 300s or 5s as the Arc/Eras are struggling a bit with TV audio. If my setup was complete, I would do more what you've done, but I don't want to sink more money into Sonos.

My understanding is I can use an old amp I have with those + a Pro Plus (as I might add an AVR later) to give me TV sound and then also integrate into music through Wiim. Then I can add a much cheaper sub than the Sonos one and a center later.

Thanks for sharing that setup, it helps to better understand the system and options.

I see a major advantage in being able to mix and match speakers now for specific use cases.