Wiim Ultra Surround

[Raanan]

I wonder if wiim can come out with a product that is exactly the same like the Wiim Ultra, only with 5.1 outputs, instead of 2.1.
I know that today stereo listening is more trendy then home cinema, but I am sure that there is a market for people that are interested in killer stereo system that can also make decent surround experience. Wiim Ultra already have hdmi arc support, they just need a few more outputs.
I myself would love to get rid of my avr. High end avrs are extremely pricey, and usually their stereo sound isn't that good. They have way too many inputs and outputs that nobody use (who really care for 11.2 set up?). With a product like "Wiim Ultra Surround" you will be able to choose your own power amplifier and get much better sound, at much lower cost.

 

[Burnside]

As I read it you can either add another WiiM device as center speaker or have the front stereo speakers to simulate the center.

The rear speakers can both be from one WiiM stereo device or from two separate WiiM speakers.

I can’t see anywhere in the Dolby faq page where you can set a physical speaker as center.

Guess we’ll need to wait and see once it’s released.

 

[Wiimer]

I can’t see anywhere in the Dolby faq page where you can set a physical speaker as center.

Guess we’ll need to wait and see once it’s released.

I just read the FAQ properly. You were right.
So, was the WiiM support comment in error?
...

 

[hgo58]

Unfortunately the FAQ is very unclear about center speaker and a single WiiM device for rear speakers.

The text say something in the start and something else later. The pictures also do not match the text regarding the front speakers.

 

[Wosi]

Great! Now we are all on the same level of confusion

 

[Wiimer]

Another thing I noticed is that need one WiiM device for each of the left and right rear speakers, it seems that one WiiM amp cannot output to the left and right rear speakers.

I was quite wrong...

 

[Wosi]

Requiring two stereo preamps (aka WiiM Pro) in order to feed two speakers doesn't sound right to me. But this is how I interpret the FAQ page as well.

 

[hgo58]

Another thing I noticed is that need one WiiM device for each of the left and right rear speakers, it seems that one WiiM amp cannot output to the left and right rear speakers.

I was quite wrong...

And that is very strange.

I hope @WiiM Team can clarify and update FAQ.

 

[Burnside]

And that is very strange.

I hope @WiiM Team can clarify and update FAQ.

Yeah, charitably I think the faq just shows one potential setup. Also, why have a surround setting as well as surround left and surround right if you weren’t going to allow one WiiM device to drive both surround channels? Using the WiiM pro as an example to drive one channel wasn’t perhaps the best, but even before all this Dolby setup was being discussed, we could set any WiiM device as solely L or R (as well as LR) in a group.

 

[Wiimer]

Yeah, charitably I think the faq just shows one potential setup. Also, why have a surround setting as well as surround left and surround right if you weren’t going to allow one WiiM device to drive both surround channels? Using the WiiM pro as an example to drive one channel wasn’t perhaps the best, but even before all this Dolby setup was being discussed, we could set any WiiM device as solely L or R (as well as LR) in a group.

If one A10 speaker is placed in the rear, the left and right channels can be mixed by selecting "Surround". (This interpretation is possible.)

However, the Dolby FAQ was wrong from the beginning and has been corrected. The Smart Preset FAQ has no explanation for Empty preset.

Now if even the team's comments are wrong, I don't know what to believe .

 

[rccarguy]

If one A10 speaker is placed in the rear, the left and right channels can be mixed by selecting "Surround". (This interpretation is possible.)

However, the Dolby FAQ was wrong from the beginning and has been corrected. The Smart Preset FAQ has no explanation for Empty preset.

Now if even the team's comments are wrong, I don't know what to believe .

Would need to allow this channel configuration. How many Wiim's would I need? Including the suitable DD/DTS, Atmos, DSU, Dolby HD, DTS HD and DTS X licenses as well?

 

[harkpabst]

Would need to allow this channel configuration.

Why would it need to?

 

[Wiimer]

Would need to allow this channel configuration. How many Wiim's would I need? Including the suitable DD/DTS, Atmos, DSU, Dolby HD, DTS HD and DTS X licenses as well?

Sorry, your jokes are too high quality for me to understand .

 

[Burnside]

I feel this feature might be a bit like usb attached media - not without value, but for less demanding users or for more casual, more convenient use. So in the case of a media server, use a NAS and suitable server software if you want to “play with the big boys”; if you want “proper” multi channel surround sound (and have room for it) buy an AVR and dedicated surround speakers. There’s a place for both and we shouldn’t denigrate one or the other by posting fatuous scenarios.

 

[rccarguy]

Sorry, your jokes are too high quality for me to understand .

it's a stupid half assed attempt to breach over to AV gear. the wiims should stick with two channel, until or if they release a proper multi channel unit then that's fine.

Or perhaps release a multi channel audio streamer, as some audio is multi channel, ie DTS 5.1, Dvd-audio, SACD support rips. At that point though it would make sense to release a audio/video streamer, with a method to control audio playback from a app not needing the TV to be on. I've found video streamers not great as audio only streamer, so something like Wiim Ultra + Kodi box sort of thing would be great

I would need to buy eight wiim Pro Plus's to equal my 16 channel processor for this wiim multi-speaker layout.. Plus two more for subwoofer integration and PEQ. Can the L/R outputs be set they are controlling subwoofers? Nope. it's stupid and a waste of time, resources and licensing. That's even if (and that's a big if) they manage to get DD/DTS licenses.

DD/DTS decoding and downmixing to stereo / 2.1 would be worthwhile though, as I found native decoding and downmixing better than PCM, as you don't lose the LFE soundtrack.

Just buy a damn AVR, I use one myself in my PC 2.1 system, as I send it PCM, DD and DTS, plus for consoles as well. Multi HDMI in and out, which is required- and something Wiim don't have.

Now if they release something like a Tonewinner AT-300 (I have one) similar price, but better in the things that I find lacking, sure I would be tempted

 

[Wiimer]

it's a stupid half assed attempt to breach over to AV gear. the wiims should stick with two channel, until or if they release a proper multi channel unit then that's fine.

Or perhaps release a multi channel audio streamer, as some audio is multi channel, ie DTS 5.1, Dvd-audio, SACD support rips. At that point though it would make sense to release a audio/video streamer, with a method to control audio playback from a app not needing the TV to be on. I've found video streamers not great as audio only streamer, so something like Wiim Ultra + Kodi box sort of thing would be great

I would need to buy eight wiim Pro Plus's to equal my 16 channel processor for this wiim multi-speaker layout.. Plus two more for subwoofer integration and PEQ. Can the L/R outputs be set they are controlling subwoofers? Nope. it's stupid and a waste of time, resources and licensing. That's even if (and that's a big if) they manage to get DD/DTS licenses.

DD/DTS decoding and downmixing to stereo / 2.1 would be worthwhile though, as I found native decoding and downmixing better than PCM, as you don't lose the LFE soundtrack.

Just buy a damn AVR, I use one myself in my PC 2.1 system, as I send it PCM, DD and DTS, plus for consoles as well. Multi HDMI in and out, which is required- and something Wiim don't have.

Now if they release something like a Tonewinner AT-300 (I have one) similar price, but better in the things that I find lacking, sure I would be tempted

In lieu of a reply to you, I will quote Burnside's comments.

"for less demanding users or for more casual, more convenient use."

I own two AVRs, but one of which has already been replaced by a WiiM amp. I plan to try this wireless surround in a small room .

(Just so there is no misunderstanding, I am not complaining about this feature. I just want to know the exact specifications before beta testing. Starting testing without knowing anything will only cause confusion.)

 

[Mr Ee]

Starting testing without knowing anything will only cause confusion.

Or it'll show how intuitive it is to use / implement.