Tech Tuesday: Unlocking the Power of Dolby 5.1

[RyanWithWiiM]

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

Both output and input are correct here, but I'll rephrase the question and answer so it's more clear.

 

[RyanWithWiiM]

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?

Thanks, I cleaned those bits up. The primary WiiM device that's running the surround sound handles the front channels and sub. If it only includes stereo speakers, it'll mix the center into the right and left channels to simulate a center channel.

And the WiiM Edition Audio Pro support is rolling out starting this week.

 

[dominikz]

@RyanWithWiiM Are there any plans to introduce support for surround duty to WiiM Mini?
That would allow one to add surround quite cheaply to an existing WiiM Amp Pro or Ultra based system.

 

[RyanWithWiiM]

@RyanWithWiiM Are there any plans to introduce support for surround duty to WiiM Mini?
That would allow one to add surround quite cheaply to an existing WiiM Amp Pro or Ultra based system.

I'll check with the team, but my first inclination is that the Mini doesn't have the necessary hardware specs to be able to support the configuration.

 

[dominikz]

I'll check with the team, but my first inclination is that the Mini doesn't have the necessary hardware specs to be able to support the configuration.

Thanks for looking into it, appreciated!

My assumption was that most of the processing would be in the main device. But I should know better than to assume, since assumptions often result in dissapointment in my line of work.

 

[kwolter]

Thanks for the update. Is there a dedicated center channel yet?

 

[hgo58]

Thanks, I cleaned those bits up. The primary WiiM device that's running the surround sound handles the front channels and sub. If it only includes stereo speakers, it'll mix the center into the right and left channels to simulate a center channel.

And the WiiM Edition Audio Pro support is rolling out starting this week.

The pictures in the FAQ and WiiM Home App are still misleading regarding the front speakers. It looks like there is only a center speaker. It could just be the perspective but a better picture with separate front speakers would be good.

 

[harkpabst]

One more question:

According to tests performed by others it the LFE is currently ignored and left out from the stereo downmix when playing Dolby Digital content to a 2.0 or 2.1 speaker system connect to the Ultra.

Can you confirm this and if yes, is it going to change with the new Dolby 5.1mode?

 

[hgo58]

I'll check with the team, but my first inclination is that the Mini doesn't have the necessary hardware specs to be able to support the configuration.

The old FAQ below may also create confusion with the Mini.

 

[Redredbettyz]

I don't know if it has been answered already or not, but what is the plan for implementing a physical center channel? I would be interested in adding a center channel for dialogue over a "phantom center" type downmix.

 

[DG77]

@RyanWithWiiM will this feature also support already decoded 5.1 sound in PCM format?
That would open it upp to so much more then jus DolbyDigital.

 

[harkpabst]

@RyanWithWiiM will this feature also support already decoded 5.1 sound in PCM format?
That would open it upp to so much more then jus DolbyDigital.

That's not Dolby Digital anymore then, so for the time being I read the FAQ as a no to that question.

 

[wplynx914]

Wish the regular wiim amp was supported.

 

[Burnside]

Wish the regular wiim amp was supported.

As answered here, not possible

Post in thread 'Beta Dolby digital Wiim Amp?'
https://forum.wiimhome.com/threads/beta-dolby-digital-wiim-amp.6260/post-105493

 

[antlestxp]

this is kinda cool wiim is following in the footsteps of NAD but for a fraction of the cost. The m10v2 can do this same thing with with bluusound devices being rear channels. The question is how many people actually do this rather than just buying an avr. There are now a number of low cost options with streaming and room correction with power for 5.1 or more. The Marantz nr1510 comes to mind for just 600$

 

[DG77]

this is kinda cool wiim is following in the footsteps of NAD but for a fraction of the cost. The m10v2 can do this same thing with with bluusound devices being rear channels. The question is how many people actually do this rather than just buying an avr. There are now a number of low cost options with streaming and room correction with power for 5.1 or more. The Marantz nr1510 comes to mind for just 600$

I think it is a great option for people who think "Less is more" and perhaps do not feel that an AVR would fit their apartment of just want to keep it "clean".
But yes, adding those "wireless active speakers" is a cost that quickly accumulates unfortunately, so an used AVR and some cheap second hand speakers would do the same (better at least in ways of supported formats) for much less money.

 

[s3igell]

I think it is a great option for people who think "Less is more" and perhaps do not feel that an AVR would fit their apartment of just want to keep it "clean".
But yes, adding those "wireless active speakers" is a cost that quickly accumulates unfortunately, so an used AVR and some cheap second hand speakers would do the same (better at least in ways of supported formats) for much less money.

"Keep It Clean" with "Small" discrete Streamers and DACs and Amps and their External Power Supplies and "Rats Nest" of Connecting Cables quickly consumes as much Space as a Moderate (Old-School) Receiver / Integrated Amp. Active Speakers (wireless or wired) just move some of that Bulk from the Audio Rack to the corners of the Room (but one now has more Power Cords to route and feed).
I have a WiiM Pro Plus & Yamaha A-S801 Combo - 100wpc (actually more like 125w per Gene @ Audioholics using Marketing-standard Peak @ 1% THD) with Pure Direct Analog routing for RCA Inputs as well as Coax and Optical into an ESS ES9010K2M DAC (when I want different than the Pro+ AKM AK4493SEQ) and USB-In that directly supports higher resolutions DSD (2.8 MHz / 5.6 MHz) and PCM (384 kHz / 32-bit). And, when the Ultra (or eventual Ultra +/Pro) support those, then I have a upgrade choice.
This is just a sample of New+Old which requires the same cabinet space and less outlets and less cables for (still) better output than a "modern combo" with discrete components that would "Keep It Clean".

 

[dtc]

I know Sonos is not everyone's favorite these days, but a Sonos sound bar with wireless surrounds is a very easy to use 5.1 system. The key is a good soundbar with all flavors of Dolby including ATMOS plus DTS decoding plus 5.1/7.1 PCM. Seems to me that should be the goal. And that system doubles as a nice music system also. This setup is what keeps me using Sonos despite its problems.

 

[Benjie]

I'm still quite confused by this. How do I connect a centre channel to a Wiim Ultra?

 

[Burnside]

I'm still quite confused by this. How do I connect a centre channel to a Wiim Ultra?

You don’t, at least not yet. The front L/R mix will contain the centre audio until such times the firmware allows a separate speaker to take that task on.

Edit: and when a separate centre channel becomes available (if ever), you’ll no doubt need an other WiiM device to support it.