Settings > Audio Settings > Audio Channel set to Mono and Aux Out

[Kampernaut]

Forgive me if these seem like ignorant questions, but:

1. If I set the Audio Channel to Mono, what is being sent through the Aux Out port? L, R, or the sum of the two?
2. If I plug a mono 3.5mm plug into the WiiM Mini's Aux Out Port, will that mono audio go over it? I ask because the Aux Out is obviously designed to have stereo plugs inserted. I'm not sure how a mono plug works in a stereo socket?
3. Will the result be different to me playing the stereo into a passive Stereo to Mono converter box that does sum the audio?

I'm asking because I plan to use a WiiM Mini as a source for a multi-zone amplifier that only takes mono inputs.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Mr Ee]

1. Sum of the two, i.e.still a "stereo" signal but where the L and R channels both have the same content.
2. Guess I never really thought about this before - I'd expect the mono cable would only connect to one channel, but as both channels carry the same content it's effectively mono.
3. I don't see how it would be different.

But maybe wait for someone else to reply!

 

[Kampernaut]

Thanks @Mr Ee.

This thread seems to explain the mono jack plug would play the left channel. It also suggests a db loss if plugged into a stereo port. I wonder whether or not the WiiM compensates for that loss when set to mono.

This should save me £45 on an adapter though, so good news.

 

[Mr Ee]

I wonder whether or not the WiiM compensates for that loss when set to mono.

I'd be highly surprised if it did.
From its point of view, mono simply means the same ('summed') signal to both channels.

 

[harkpabst]

I'd be highly surprised if it did.
From its point of view, mono simply means the same ('summed') signal to both channels.

And if they did, the result was louder for those using a proper stereo cable into some other device (which might or might not be mono).

Also, I don't think that the line output had any meaningful reserve to play such tricks.