I just got my wiim amp pro. Everything works as expected. However while playing a dolby 5.1 from my xbox, I noticed that there's no LFE signal coming out of my subwoofer. In other words, I seem to get a 5.0 downmix, not a 5.1 one. This is not what happens with the sonos amp I have here (connected exactly the same way). Is there a setting I've missed? Thanks.
Wiim amp pro dolby lfe
- Thread starter qmaur
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Sorry for the rudimentary question, but if your subwoofer has an auto-standby feature, is the sub turned on during playback?
Also, did you turn on the subwoofer setting in the WiiM app?
How do you set the crossover? Basically, set the low pass on the sub side to maximum and the volume to 50%.
If the subwoofer volume is adequate and you play a source that contains bass below the crossover and no sound at all, try this.
- Turn off the sub and WiiM amp.
- Unplug the sub cable from the WiiM amp.
- Turn on the sub.
- Touch the end of the sub cable plug with your finger.
If you do not hear a hum at this point, you may have a problem with the subwoofer.
First thing to check is if your sub is working at all, as noted by @Wiimer. If you don't get any output from the sub this is a likely explanation.
With real and well mixed 5.1 content it's not that all the bass is in the LFE. It's meant to contain additional bass effects, only. I'm particular the front channels should definitely contain bass information, there's no lower frequency limit.
It's indeed questionable if a 2.0 downmix (that's what you will get as the WiiM Amp Pro is a stereo device) should or should not contain the .1 LFE. People more knowledgeable than me state that according to official Dolby specs it must not be included (but some manufacturers beg to differ in their implementations).
In no case should.you expect the LFE to be mapped straight to the sub in the Amp Pro. The split between mains and sub in a stereo system is completely independ from multichannel content. With WiiM devices the crossover frequency can be anywher blfrom 30 Hz to 250 Hz. There is no direct relation to the LFE.
Thanks for all the replies. The sub is working fine. I used some test tones and verified that it does indeed work.
I believe this is not a setup problem, but more of a question as what happens when the pro amp folds down 5.1 content. I understand that this is slippery subject, as noted by @harkpabst
However, it would be nice to have the option to select the preferred downmix behavior. The sonos amp does include the LFE channel in the downmix and, as a result, certain effects (explosions and such) are much more impactful.
I like the sound of the wiim amp pro much better... I just wished it supported this
I believe this is not a setup problem, but more of a question as what happens when the pro amp folds down 5.1 content. I understand that this is slippery subject, as noted by @harkpabst
However, it would be nice to have the option to select the preferred downmix behavior. The sonos amp does include the LFE channel in the downmix and, as a result, certain effects (explosions and such) are much more impactful.
I like the sound of the wiim amp pro much better... I just wished it supported this
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Wait, did I understood correctly, the additional .1 LFE track (additional bass effects) will not be mapped to subwoofer as is in any situation? It's always down mixed to 2.0? That would be a real bummer. I was expecting that the Dolby Digital support with Wiim Amp Pro would provide this feature. I bought Wiim Amp Pro to replace my old AVR. I have 2.1 setup and I would like to use only my Klipsch RP-280f main speakers when listening to music or any stereo content and use subwoofer only when .1 LFE track is available.
This is what I have observed with my tests. I have returned the wiim amp pro for this very reason (after having purchased it in the hope to replace my sonos amp).
Personally I did not test this (I'm lacking the programme material to do so) but as I said: Not including the .1 LFE in a 2.0 mix is actually the correct way according to Dolby specs.
I don't dispute that this is technically correct.
However, once you put an hdmi input, the distinction between stereo amplifier and AVR becomes a bit academic, in my opinion, especially if coupled with the claim that the amp "supports" dolby digital. If the amp does a "standard" (correct) conversion, and throws away the LFE channel, then what is the advantage of dd support compared to, say, just have the tv convert to pcm before sending signal into the amp? Just to have the conversion happen in a different box? Meh
That's true, assuming that the TV does a proper downmix and not just throws away the other channels.If the amp does a "standard" (correct) conversion, and throws away the LFE channel, then what is the advantage of dd support compared to, say, just have the tv convert to pcm before sending signal into the amp? Just to have the conversion happen in a different box? Meh
LucAce
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Here is a bit of background information on the topic of Dolby Downmix (according to Dolby standards):
It is therefore possible that WiiM only listed the Amp Pro as a 2.0 device for Dolby.
Perhaps the @WiiM Team can say something about this?
It is therefore possible that WiiM only listed the Amp Pro as a 2.0 device for Dolby.
Perhaps the @WiiM Team can say something about this?
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