What do you think the future holds for digital music/audio ?

SKApretto71 said:
I'd be already happy once multichannel audio becomes the digital standard for audio, and not the exception. True, we have some offerings already, but I swear a day when it would be the standard to use multichannel and mix it back to stereo just when needed, with broad streamers support.
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as i understand it 'FLAC' supports multi channel plus other embeded data. Just need to encode/decode, maybe there is dedicated software to 'rip' dvd/bluray audio to it .. :unsure:

I might try and find a Volvo dealership and take some decent files on a usb stick for a test drive/listen down Abbey Road ..

www.bowerswilkins.com

Blog - Abbey Road Stuidos Mode

Discover the all-new in-car audio experience created by Bowers & Wilkins and Abbey Road.
www.bowerswilkins.com www.bowerswilkins.com

FLAC " (Free Lossless Audio Codec) supports up to 8 channels (up to 7.1 surround sound) in a single file. It is commonly used for high-resolution, multichannel music (e.g., 24-bit/96kHz or 192kHz 5.1/7.1). "
 
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GeeTee said:
as i understand it 'FLAC' supports multi channel plus other embeded data. Just need to encode/decode, maybe there is dedicated software to 'rip' dvd/bluray audio to it .. :unsure:

I might try and find a Volvo dealership and take some decent files on a usb stick for a test drive/listen down Abbey Road ..

www.bowerswilkins.com

Blog - Abbey Road Stuidos Mode

Discover the all-new in-car audio experience created by Bowers & Wilkins and Abbey Road.
www.bowerswilkins.com www.bowerswilkins.com

FLAC " (Free Lossless Audio Codec) supports up to 8 channels (up to 7.1 surround sound) in a single file. It is commonly used for high-resolution, multichannel music (e.g., 24-bit/96kHz or 192kHz 5.1/7.1). "
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Agreed, but while the file format is there, and some streaming services offers audio in multichannel, most of the hi-end setups are focused on stereo.
As we speak future, my desired future would be assuming any stereo setup has to be able for nultichannel - either virtual as Atmos or through discrete ohisical drivers.
When you read about "Surround" setups, usage is assumed for TV-Films, not music. It can do music, and often reviews goes into focusing for front drivers alone.
 
@SKApretto71 .. i found a few websites dedicated to multi channel music, but most seem to be chasing old previously released dvd or blu ray discs. The 'Volvo' thing is a real attempt to give a multi channel experience in your car, maybe wiim and others could think about decoding stereo into 'atmos' and giving extra outputs for the full multi channel experience.
Do you know of any 'sites' where we can access FLAC multi channel music directly, i know 'apple' have 'spacial', but im not sure how to get that and i dont want an apple walled garden music subscription .. just yet :rolleyes:
 
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GeeTee said:
@SKApretto71 .. i found a few websites dedicated to multi channel music, but most seem to be chasing old previously released dvd or blu ray discs. The 'Volvo' thing is a real attempt to give a multi channel experience in your car, maybe wiim and others could think about decoding stereo into 'atmos' and giving extra outputs for the full multi channel experience.
Do you know of any 'sites' where we can access FLAC multi channel music directly, i know 'apple' have 'spacial', but im not sure how to get that and i dont want an apple walled garden music subscription .. just yet :rolleyes:
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Tidal includes Dolby Atmos content in paid subscriptions. You may have a trial and test it.
 
For those interested Emil Berliner Studios have done Atmos remasters of some of the mainstays of the Deutsche Grammophon catalogue.
 
looks like spatial audio/atmos is the 'next big thing' .. whatever happened to 'Quadraphonic' .. :rolleyes:

usa.pioneer

Pioneer Launches SPHERA, the World’s First Aftermarket Spatial Audio I

Experience the breakthrough aftermarket solution bringing immersive Dolby Atmos sound to vehicles already on the road, showcased at CES LAS VEGAS - (Jan. 5, 2026) - Building on decades of audio innovation, Pioneer, a global leader in in-vehicle sound and aftermarket car electronics, introduces...
usa.pioneer usa.pioneer
 
GeeTee said:
It cant be long before the 'digital' music/audio we store and stream will carry additional information apart from track info and album art etc .. maybe the artist's preferred 'EQ' settings or 'sound shape' could be added and your replay equipment would adjust automatically to artist's 'EQ' for each track. After all blu ray carries loads of additional info.
I read that this track/artist is 'alleged' to be Ai created .. what do you think ?



suno.com

Suno | AI Music

Create stunning original music for free in seconds using AI. Make your own masterpieces, share with friends, and discover music from artists worldwide.
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The Wiim Quantum will entangle your ear holes with the source!
 
so sonos have gone all dolby atmos .. wiim need to be thinking about this, the atmos music experience is here 🔊 :)

www.sonos.com

Era 300: The Spatial Audio Speaker With Dolby Atmos | Sonos

Experience the next level of spatial audio technology with Era 300, the breakthrough Sonos speaker equipped with six Dolby Atmos-supported drivers for room-filling 3D sound. Stream audio over WiFi and Bluetooth, or connect a device using an auxiliary cable and the Sonos Line-In Adapter.
www.sonos.com www.sonos.com
 
Dolby Atmos is at best a niche product. Too many speakers, too many wires (even if wireless audio connection, you still have to plug in for power), and not enough difference between 5.1 (which isn't and never will be a thing for most people), and most importantly, too much $.
 
GeeTee said:
so sonos have gone all dolby atmos .. wiim need to be thinking about this, the atmos music experience is here 🔊 :)

www.sonos.com

Era 300: The Spatial Audio Speaker With Dolby Atmos | Sonos

Experience the next level of spatial audio technology with Era 300, the breakthrough Sonos speaker equipped with six Dolby Atmos-supported drivers for room-filling 3D sound. Stream audio over WiFi and Bluetooth, or connect a device using an auxiliary cable and the Sonos Line-In Adapter.
www.sonos.com www.sonos.com
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Sound may be good, but the design appearance is just weird (ugly 😝)
 
mrehorst said:
Dolby Atmos is at best a niche product. Too many speakers, too many wires (even if wireless audio connection, you still have to plug in for power), and not enough difference between 5.1 (which isn't and never will be a thing for most people), and most importantly, too much $.
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Atmos will probably never be as popular as stereo streaming and probably for many of the reasons you listed.

But I will say that as a man that likes his music......you listen to stereo music. You experience Dolby Atmos music.
 
mrehorst said:
Dolby Atmos is at best a niche product.
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I don't think so.

Most modern smartphones and soundbars support Atmos. Atmos is no longer a niche feature but has become widely adopted.
TVs and automobiles are no exception. Atmos is expected to continue its steady growth going forward.

Of course, most of these are virtual Atmos setups. However, if the upcoming WiiM Sound 2 incorporates eARC and Enabled speaker, it could expand from 5.1 to 5.1.2 without adding more speakers.

Or, WiiM's next new product could very well be a soundbar.🤔🙂
 
GeeTee said:
@Wiimer .. do you think we will see wiim go multi channel :unsure:

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To be honest, I have no idea what the future holds, but personally, I don't think there's a high chance of Atmos speakers like the Era 300 or Echo Studio being released.

Last year's Feedback Survey could potentially hint at new products.

Headphones
Home theater
Passive speakers
Microphone-enabled speakers
Different Sized Subwoofers
Portable Speakers
Larger Smart Speakers

I think any of these could potentially be released in the future, but "Home theater" seemed to be referring to wireless surround sound products.

I think there's demand for Atmos soundbars that can also function as center speaker within the WiiM ecosystem.

However, I want to emphasize here that my predictions are often wrong 😂


Edit:
What I find interesting is that not a streamer is included in this vote.
 
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I feel if wiim stay within their current line up then a 'wiim amp ultra AV' edition would be logical. The ultra amp already has hdmi so a 'surround processors' to deliver descreet 3rd 4th and 5th channel output not amplified just additional outputs like the sub out. and then you can connect wirelessly to other wiims for amplification, all linked and controlled via the app. simple (y) :ROFLMAO:
 
GeeTee said:
I feel if wiim stay within their current line up then a 'wiim amp ultra AV' edition would be logical. The ultra amp already has hdmi so a 'surround processors' to deliver descreet 3rd 4th and 5th channel output not amplified just additional outputs like the sub out. and then you can connect wirelessly to other wiims for amplification, all linked and controlled via the app. simple (y) :ROFLMAO:
Click to expand...
And a potential sale of half-a-dozen units.... 😁
 
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