In the HT world, there is a hole for affordable surround decoders with simple switching.
It has gone to AVRs (which sound like sssss ) or $3000++. All of them with ridiculous numbers of channels.
A nice 7.1 or 7.2 or even a 5.1.4 surround decoder with three HDMI, one eARC HDMI, one analog stereo input and analog outputs with some room equalization OR a wireless connection to WiiM Sound like active speakers would be nice.
Don't try to support all the possible surround licenses... don't pay for Dirac, Audissey, etc... just leverage the main surround formats (Dolby, Atmos) and use the inhouse WiiM strengths: room correction, sound over IP, WiFi...
One of the big issues with setting up an HT is wiring the speakers. In particular the surrounds. A device under 1000 bucks that supported surround decoding, eARC with the TV and provided wireless for any channel would make for an easy to do system that has the potential to sound good.
I think WiiM is almost there with the parts of the puzzle, just needs to put it together.. Also make it look nice, not like those AVRs that are UGLY and overly complicated... and tend to make your HT obsolete every three years when the surround licenses change.
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My use of the Ultras is so simple, it makes me sad sometimes... I mostly use external DACs. However, I must note that the one in the HT uses its built in DAC and it sounds good enough for background music. Yesterday I had it playing for hours some Thelonious Monk while we were cooking ( den and kitchen are adjacent... open plan ) and it sounded quite pleasant. The tone was realistic even if the soundstage was sort of shallow.
However, for my needs of a bit perfect bridge in a 2ch system... 300 bucks is a fair enough price to pay. If WiiM were to make such a thing standalone the volume would drop and it would become more expensive...
It has gone to AVRs (which sound like sssss ) or $3000++. All of them with ridiculous numbers of channels.
A nice 7.1 or 7.2 or even a 5.1.4 surround decoder with three HDMI, one eARC HDMI, one analog stereo input and analog outputs with some room equalization OR a wireless connection to WiiM Sound like active speakers would be nice.
Don't try to support all the possible surround licenses... don't pay for Dirac, Audissey, etc... just leverage the main surround formats (Dolby, Atmos) and use the inhouse WiiM strengths: room correction, sound over IP, WiFi...
One of the big issues with setting up an HT is wiring the speakers. In particular the surrounds. A device under 1000 bucks that supported surround decoding, eARC with the TV and provided wireless for any channel would make for an easy to do system that has the potential to sound good.
I think WiiM is almost there with the parts of the puzzle, just needs to put it together.. Also make it look nice, not like those AVRs that are UGLY and overly complicated... and tend to make your HT obsolete every three years when the surround licenses change.
++
My use of the Ultras is so simple, it makes me sad sometimes... I mostly use external DACs. However, I must note that the one in the HT uses its built in DAC and it sounds good enough for background music. Yesterday I had it playing for hours some Thelonious Monk while we were cooking ( den and kitchen are adjacent... open plan ) and it sounded quite pleasant. The tone was realistic even if the soundstage was sort of shallow.
However, for my needs of a bit perfect bridge in a 2ch system... 300 bucks is a fair enough price to pay. If WiiM were to make such a thing standalone the volume would drop and it would become more expensive...
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