Tech Tuesday: Unlocking the Power of Dolby 5.1

[RyanWithWiiM]

Welcome to this week's Tech Tuesday! Today, we're excited to explore the world of 5.1 surround sound and how you can create an immersive audio experience using the WiiM Ultra and WiiM Amp Pro. These devices support Dolby Digital audio, making them perfect for building a flexible 5.1 surround sound system ideal for movies, gaming, and music.

What is 5.1 Surround Sound?​

A 5.1 surround sound system is designed to deliver an immersive audio experience by providing sound from multiple directions. The "5" in 5.1 refers to five full-range audio channels: Front Left, Center, Front Right, Surround Left, and Surround Right. The ".1" represents the subwoofer channel, which handles low-frequency effects (LFE) to add depth and impact to the audio.

Benefits of Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound?​

Anyone who loves high-quality audio will appreciate the benefits of a 5.1 surround sound system. Whether you're a movie buff, a gaming enthusiast, or a music lover, this setup will enhance your audio experience by making you feel enveloped in sound. It's perfect for creating a home theater experience, adding realism to gaming, and enjoying music with rich, dynamic sound.

What It Brings​

A 5.1 surround sound system brings several advantages:

• Immersive Experience: Feel like you're in the middle of the action with sound coming from all directions and rich bass filling the room.
• Enhanced Audio Quality: Enjoy clear dialogue, detailed sound effects, and powerful bass.
• Versatility: Ideal for various media, including movies, games, and music.

Setting Up a 5.1 Surround Sound System with WiiM Devices​

Currently in beta, the setup process involves connecting multiple WiiM devices in a multi-room configuration. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Gather Your Devices: You'll need at least two or three WiiM devices, such as the WiiM Ultra or WiiM Amp Pro for the front, and WiiM Amp/Pro/Pro Plus/Ultra and soon one or two WiiM Edition Audio Pro speakers as surround speakers.
2. Connect the Master Device: The WiiM device connected to your TV and subwoofer will act as the master speaker. It will process and play the Center, Front Left, Front Right, and subwoofer channels.
3. Set Up Surround Speakers: Additional WiiM devices will function as surround speakers, handling the Surround Left and Surround Right channels.
4. Configure in the WiiM App: Use the WiiM Home app to group the devices and configure the audio settings. The app will guide you through the process of connecting and calibrating the speakers.
5. Enjoy Your 5.1 System: Once set up, you'll be able to enjoy a fully immersive 5.1 surround sound experience.

For more detailed instructions, check out our article on Setting Up a WiiM Dolby 5.1 surround sound system.

Top Questions and Answers​

Q: What devices do I need to set up a 5.1 surround sound system?
A: You will need at least one WiiM device that supports 5.1 audio, currently the WiiM Ultra or WiiM Amp Pro to operate as the front channels, and a WiiM Amp, Pro, Pro Plus, Ultra to functions as surround speakers. Support for one or two WiiM Edition Audio Pro speakers as surround speakers will also be added soon. These devices handle the Surround Left (SL) and Surround Right (SR) audio channels, completing the surround sound experience.

Q: Is the 5.1 surround sound setup available for all WiiM devices?
A: The 5.1 surround sound setup is currently available for the WiiM Ultra and WiiM Amp Pro, which support Dolby Digital Audio.

Q: Can I use the 5.1 surround sound setup for gaming?
A: Yes, a 5.1 surround sound system is ideal for gaming, as it provides realistic and immersive audio that enhances the overall gaming experience. Make sure your gaming device is outputting audio through the TV that can convert it into Dolby Digital 5.1, this will depend on your TV’/s settings.

Q: Do you support any other surround sound formats?
A: At this time WiiM only supports Dolby Digital 5.1 audio formats for surround sound.

Q: What speaker setup do I need for a 5.1 surround sound system?
A: A 5.1 surround sound system requires front left and right speakers, a center speaker, surround left and right speakers, and a subwoofer.

Q: How does the WiiM Ultra or WiiM Amp Pro play 5.1 audio?
A: The WiiM Ultra and WiiM Amp Pro both support Dolby Digital 5.1 input via HDMI ARC and Optical. The primary WiiM device you use to set up the surround system will operate as the Center, Front Left, and Front Right audio channels, along with the subwoofer using our software. This ensures the optimal reproduction of the front channels and subwoofer channel. If there is no dedicated speaker for a center channel, the Front Right and Front Left will create a simulated center channel.

Q: What settings are required on my TV to output 5.1 audio to a WiiM device?
A: Your TV must support Dolby Digital 5.1 output and be connected to the WiiM device via HDMI ARC or Optical. Make sure to set the TV’s audio output format to “ Dolby Digital” in the audio settings.

Q: How do I configure a 5.1 surround sound system with a WiiM device?
A: Use the WiiM Home app to enable surround sound settings and adjust speaker placement and audio output preferences.

Q: Can I use the Audio Pro WiiM Edition for surround channels?
A: An official firmware update to support surround channels will be available in just a few days.

Q: When will the noise issue for Dolby Digital audio be fixed?
A: A new beta firmware addressing this issue is coming later this week—stay tuned!

 

[harkpabst]

... via HDMI eARC ...

eARC? Is that new as part of the beta programme?

 

[Wiimer]

Will only Ultra be updated to support eARC?
Or is it just a typo?

 

[DG77]

Appreciate this guide Ryan but it is a bit confusing:

Gather Your Devices: You'll need at least two or three WiiM devices, such as the WiiM Ultra or WiiM Amp Pro.

But then it states:

Q: What devices do I need to set up a 5.1 surround sound system?
A: You will need at least one WiiM device that supports 5.1 audio, currently the WiiM Ultra or WiiM Amp Pro.


I think the picture is misleading as well, on that it looks like the Wiim unit works as a Center speaker, and there are no Front R/L speakers.

My take is that if you own an Ultra or AMP, and a set of Audio Pro A10 MKII and C10 MKII (for center) you can use this to get Dolby Digital surround with 5.1 channels.

Questions that arise are, if you lack a center speaker, can the Wiim Ultra downmix that to Front L/R?

 

[hgo58]

eARC? Is that new as part of the beta programme?

What if the TV only have ARC? Then no 5.1 with WiiM?

 

[574stereo]

I'd love to see this working, some friends have just installed an Ultra in their living room and expressed mild interest in maybe doing surround sound for movies.

It'd be even better if a separate centre speaker could be used too...

 

[WiiM Team]

Will only Ultra be updated to support eARC?
Or is it just a typo?

Hi Wiimer,

It is just a typo issue. We have corrected it.

 

[hgo58]

Hi Wiimer,

It is just a typo issue. We have corrected it.

So eARC on all devices with HDMI or no eARC at all. And only 5.1 on eARC, if supported.

Still very unclear communication

 

[eVo]

Wouldn't it be cheaper to buy an AVR

 

[hgo58]

Wouldn't it be cheaper to buy an AVR

Probably yes, if you don't need or want all the other features of the WiiM devices.

 

[Burnside]

Wouldn't it be cheaper to buy an AVR

Probably, but it means I can use my hardly used WiiM Pro to feed a couple of Echo Plus “active speakers” on the odd occasion I want to watch a movie in surround, with wireless rear surround. It’s convenient but equally I agree you wouldn’t necessarily buy a WiiM Ultra just for this feature.

 

[hgo58]

Probably, but it means I can use my hardly used WiiM Pro to feed a couple of Echo Plus “active speakers” on the odd occasion I want to watch a movie in surround, with wireless rear surround. It’s convenient but equally I agree you wouldn’t necessarily buy a WiiM Ultra just for this feature.

If WiiM would release some small cheap speakers I would probably add those as rear speakers but my primary use of WiiM devices are as high quality audio streamers.

I am however sure that having surround sound in the WiiM ecosystem is a good selling point.

 

[hashkey]

Am I understanding this right? A WiiM Ultra or Amp Pro for the TV and then, say, a WiiM Pro, or a WiiM amp for each pair of speakers that I want to use?
Interesting.. Gotta be honest, though, a standard AVR setup is messy enough but this is kludgy as hell.
I have a WiiM Pro as a source on my AVR, think that'll do me for now.

 

[Burnside]

Am I understanding this right? A WiiM Ultra or Amp Pro for the TV and then, say, a WiiM Pro, or a WiiM amp for each pair of speakers that I want to use?
Interesting.. Gotta be honest, though, a standard AVR setup is messy enough but this is kludgy as hell.
I have a WiiM Pro as a source on my AVR, think that'll do me for now.

It’s no more cludgy than what I used to do years ago with a “Rocketfish Wireless Home Theater Rear Speaker Kit” with my Yamaha AVR to feed rear speakers without cables crawling across the floor under a rug/carpet. At least with the Ultra or Amp Pro I don’t need an additional transmitter box as I needed with that solution.

 

[hgo58]

Am I understanding this right? A WiiM Ultra or Amp Pro for the TV and then, say, a WiiM Pro, or a WiiM amp for each pair of speakers that I want to use?
Interesting.. Gotta be honest, though, a standard AVR setup is messy enough but this is kludgy as hell.
I have a WiiM Pro as a source on my AVR, think that'll do me for now.

It's not that complicated. An Amp Pro or Ultra for the TV input and output to front speakers. And any WiiM stereo device for the rear speakers.

It's a simple way to get surround for those that don't want an AVR and have a WiiM.

 

[hashkey]

It's not that complicated. An Amp Pro or Ultra for the TV input and output to front speakers. And any WiiM stereo device for the rear speakers.

It's a simple way to get surround for those that don't want an AVR and have a WiiM.

Or two.. (I mean, I have two Pros gathering dust so I know it's not that absurd)

It'll be perfect for some people, no doubt.

 

[hashkey]

It’s no more cludgy than what I used to do years ago with a “Rocketfish Wireless Home Theater Rear Speaker Kit” with my Yamaha AVR to feed rear speakers without cables crawling across the floor under a rug/carpet. At least with the Ultra or Amp Pro I don’t need an additional transmitter box as I needed with that solution.

That's fair.

My thing with wireless speakers in a multichannel setup is that they'll always need a power cable. But that's just me (and my room)

 

[harkpabst]

My thing with wireless speakers in a multichannel setup is that they'll always need a power cable.

Not if they're running on battery.

Only joking. Non-wireless speakers will always need speaker cables running along (or inside) the walls. Conclusion: There's no wireless solution, regardless if wireless or not.

 

[s3igell]

Q: How does the WiiM Ultra or WiiM Amp Pro output 5.1 audio?
A: The WiiM Ultra supports Dolby Digital 5.1 output via HDMI ARC and Optical. The WiiM Amp Pro supports 1 5.1 channel configuration with speaker outputs and a dedicated subwoofer output.

@RyanWithWiiM In both highlighted cases, shouldn't the text be "input" rather than "output"??

 

[Woody]

Wouldn't it be cheaper to buy an AVR

I'd like to have a single WiiM box as the receiver with outputs for external amp (WiiM amps).
I need something simple and love the WiiM App.
My current setup is Rotel Processor and separate Rotel Amp. It works well enough, but the user interface is old fashion remote and navigating the menu is awkward at best.
Basically, I'd like a WiiM AVR or a WiiM processor.