No idea how to set Wiim ultra subwoofer

[allanh]

Very new to streaming - just got my Wiim Ultra - and I don’t understand the subwoofer controls in the app. I’m running a REL subwoofer into my Plinius integrated amp. So… do I want to add the Wiim subwoofer into that chain? Do I want the Wiim subwoofer off? Do I want bypass mode off or on? Do I want main speakers to output bass when the subwoofer is active? And isn’t my REL always active when I’m playing music? Sorry if these questions are too basic - but I’ve spent a lot of time in the forums and I’m more confused than I was before- any help appreciated! Thanks

 

[harkpabst]

Do a search on this forum and you will find lots of advice and explanations.

I’m running a REL subwoofer into my Plinius integrated amp.

If by that you mean that you use the REL's speaker level inputs and have them connected to the speaker terminals of your integrated amp then forget anything about WiiM subwoofer management. It cannot work that way. This is the way REL advertises their subs and I will tell you frankly that it is outdated crap in my personal opinion.

In a nutshell:

If you want to have proper subwoofer management using your WiiM Ultra, you must use the Ultra's volume control and you must not change the volume on your integrated amp after setting up the sub.

If you just want to use the Ultra as one of many sources (for streaming) and have your integrated perform input switching and volume control you cannot use WiiM's subwoofer management.

 

[allanh]

Thanks for responding. I have read many of the related threads but haven’t been able to figure this out.

I do use the REL connected directly to my amp for use with Cds and records. So if I leave the Wiim subwoofer off does that limit the info sent to the REL? If i turn the Wiim subwoofer to on what does the bypass do? Sorry but pretty confused- thanks for guidance.

 

[harkpabst]

So if I leave the Wiim subwoofer off does that limit the info sent to the REL?

No. The entire frequency range will be sent to the analogue (or digital) output. There will be no sound from the subwoofer output.

If i turn the Wiim subwoofer to on what does the bypass do?

There is (almost)*¹ no reason to enable the subwoofer output of the WiiM Ultra if nothing is connected. Setting Subwoofer Bypass Mode doesn't change a thing as it only works on the subwoofer output (with still nothing connected to it).

If you don't enable Main Speakers Output Bass then frequencies below the WiiM crossover frequency will not be send to your amp, so they will also never reach the subwoofer.

If you do enable both, Sub Output and Main Speakers Output Bass, the signal send to your amp is absolutely the same as if you didn't enable Sub Output in the first place. The Ultra will unnecessarily provide a signal at the subwoofer out socket that isn't made any use of.

*1: You could enable Sub Output and set the crossover frequency to something below your speakers' lower cut-off frequency to relieve it from excessive cone excursion. If at all, this can make sense with ported speakers and no sub. Don't waste too much thought on this.

 

[catchmeifyoucan]

its not difficult, use an rca cable from the LFE on your sub to the sub out on your wiim ultra.
then activate subwoofer in the wiim app. Set the crossover to 80hz, and use the 'auto sync sub and speakers' button to synchronize them.
i would put your subs volume/gain level to about 09.00 / 10.00 o clock and then adjust the volume level further and only in the wiim app. This way the sub doesnt need to work too hard.

then listen to some song you know by heart and adjust the volume and crossover if needed in the wiim app untill it sound right to you. youll get that aha moment and a big smile if it does.

thats it. dont overthink it.

 

[harkpabst]

its not difficult, use an rca cable from the LFE on your sub to the sub out on your wiim ultra.
then activate subwoofer in the wiim app. Set the crossover to 80hz, and use the 'auto sync sub and speakers' button to synchronize them.
i would put your subs volume/gain level to about 09.00 / 10.00 o clock and then adjust the volume level further and only in the wiim app. This way the sub doesnt need to work too hard.

then listen to some song you know by heart and adjust the volume and crossover if needed in the wiim app untill it sound right to you. youll get that aha moment and a big smile if it does.

thats it. dont overthink it.

Did you read about the integrated amp in use?

The volume/gain dial on the sub has nothing to do with how hard it needs to work. The power amp output is alsways the same for the same sound pressure level.

 

[catchmeifyoucan]

Did you read about the integrated amp in use?

The volume/gain dial on the sub has nothing to do with how hard it needs to work. The power amp output is alsways the same for the same sound pressure level.

sorry, didnt read about the integrated part. but shouldnt the integrated just function as a power amp and let the wiim do the subwoofer management ?

The volume/gain dial on the sub has nothing to do with how hard it needs to work
i dont agree with this. the higher you put the gain on your sub, the harder it has to work. if you raise the volume on the wiim ultra the power amp will do the hard work.

 

[harkpabst]

but shouldnt the integrated just function as a power amp and let the wiim do the subwoofer management ?

That'd be one way to use it, but only if it also used e.g. as the phono pre-amp and/or integrating many other sources. The Plinius amps appear to be rather costly.

I also don't see a pure power amp input, so even if no other source was used it, making sure that the volume on the Plinius is never changed after setting up the sub could be flakey at least.

i dont agree with this. the higher you put the gain on your sub, the harder it has to work.

Applying a little gain to the line level signal from the Ultra's sub output is not hard work. It's the power stage built into the subwoofer that has to do the heavy lifting. It's output in watts is exactly the same, no matter if you apply the additional gain inside the Ultra or insude the sub. Setting its volume knob too low could actually attenuate the signal which means throwing SNR out of the window for nothing.

if you raise the volume on the wiim ultra the power amp will do the hard work.

As I said, the power amp is part of the sub and does the same work, no matter what.

 

[mrroyal88]

Thanks for explaining!