While on this site I saw the name of an equipment manufacturer, Audio Smile. The name made me think about my music listening, I'm grinning - my goal is to turn grin that to a smile. I'm 76. I retired my B&W 5.1 system years ago. I replaced it with Sonos. Mainly for for simplicity (which I value). I got better TV sound with Sonos and I enjoy streaming classical, jazz and acoustic music via Qobuz. Musically I miss the sweet sound coming from 2 speakers + sub that makes me smile. So, I've been thinking about buying a bookshelf sized system consisting of: WiiM Amp Pro, KEF Q150 speakers, and a SVS SB-1000 sub. My budget is up to $1K. I'm not keen on desktop, near-field systems. My listening space is about 12' x 16'. I like the option of connecting Amp to my TV via ARC. System suggestions welcomed. Best wishes for the holidays!
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Help Make my Music Listening Grin Into a Smile
- Thread starter Mettaman
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staticV3
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Hi @Mettaman! Welcome to ASR.
WiiM definitely is the ticket, but instead of the Amp Pro + Q150, consider the WiiM Ultra + T7V/T8V or LP-6v2/LP-8v2. These are designed for midfield listening and have lower distortion than the Q150 at a similar price (factoring in the savings from WiiM Ultra in favor of Amp Pro).
Personally, I'm also a fan of manual room measurements using Room EQ Wizard + UMIK-1, in favor of WiiM's automated RoomFit solution.
In the end, both options will write their EQ parameters to the same registers on the WiiM, just that with the manual solution you have much tighter control over the end result.
Here's a system I corrected using REW + WiiM EQ and got excellent results:
(green=stock, blue=EQed)
WiiM definitely is the ticket, but instead of the Amp Pro + Q150, consider the WiiM Ultra + T7V/T8V or LP-6v2/LP-8v2. These are designed for midfield listening and have lower distortion than the Q150 at a similar price (factoring in the savings from WiiM Ultra in favor of Amp Pro).
Personally, I'm also a fan of manual room measurements using Room EQ Wizard + UMIK-1, in favor of WiiM's automated RoomFit solution.
In the end, both options will write their EQ parameters to the same registers on the WiiM, just that with the manual solution you have much tighter control over the end result.
Here's a system I corrected using REW + WiiM EQ and got excellent results:
(green=stock, blue=EQed)
JeremyFife
Major Contributor
Smiling is what it's all about!
I tend to agree with @staticV3 in that active speakers give great value at this level (my level!).
If you prefer the idea of passive speakers (it's a hobby, preference is cool) then take a look at the Wharfdale Diamond 12.1 (there's a new model just out so you may get discounts) or Elac DBR-62 if you can find a good price.
Agree with WiiM at the front too in either case, almost a no-brainer
I tend to agree with @staticV3 in that active speakers give great value at this level (my level!).
If you prefer the idea of passive speakers (it's a hobby, preference is cool) then take a look at the Wharfdale Diamond 12.1 (there's a new model just out so you may get discounts) or Elac DBR-62 if you can find a good price.
Agree with WiiM at the front too in either case, almost a no-brainer
staticV3
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FYI, the 12.1 and Polk XT15 are basically clones of each other with remarkably similar performance all around, yet the 12.1 costs twice as much:
I often see recommendations for the Wharfedale and am always left wondering what's the point if one can have the same thing for half the price
- Thread Starter
- #5
Thank you for the helpful reply. I wasn't aware of Adam speakers. I'll definitely add them to the research. Happy holidays!
JeremyFife
Major Contributor
Thanks, that's good to know ... these are really cheap (uk) just now.FYI, the 12.1 and Polk XT15 are basically clones of each other with remarkably similar performance all around, yet the 12.1 costs twice as much:
I often see recommendations for the Wharfedale and am always left wondering what's the point if one can have the same thing for half the price
- Thread Starter
- #7
Hi. I stram from my phone, laptop, desktop and tablet - all Apple. I see the WiiiM Ultra doesn't support AirPlay 2. That's an issue. I think. Or not. What do you think? Thanks.
JSmith
Master Contributor
I smile every time I turn on my system and start the music... knowing I have well measuring speakers that are correctly placed and EQ'd, with a 100dB+ SINAD amp and a 120dB+ SINAD DAC. 
www.spinorama.org
JSmith
Measurements for speaker KEF Q150
www.spinorama.org
JSmith
staticV3
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If you need AirPlay, a not very elegant workaround is to buy a WiiM Mini, then plug it into the WiiM Ultra via Optical, and use the Mini as a pure AirPlay receiver.
D
Deleted member 43957
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"... Cat in a rain ditch... Dogs in a pile... nothin' left to do but smile... smile... smile"
- Thread Starter
- #11
Thank you for sharing your collective audio wisdom. Seriously, I appreciate the time you take to write. Here's the bottom line for me. My next stereo will likely be the final one I purchase. I just want to sit in my living room, in my favorite chair, and just listen, really listen to the music. Not loud, but above the volume of my tinnitus. I NEED to hear music reproduced beautifully, probably not at my desk with near field speakers. And definitely not through my Sonos Arc soundbar and Sonos mini-sub. My music tastes, if I were to sum them up: Bill Evans, Bach, Eno, Talking Heads, David Rawlings, Gillian Welch, Philip Glass, Mahler. Based on what I've read on this site I'm leaning towards a midfield system using speakers like the KEF 150 (Meta?) and Bluesound Node. Still unclear about an amp or going with powered speakers. I no longer have a physical music collection instead I stream through Qobuz. Sound above all, within a $1500-$2000 budget. Bookshelf speakers on stands work best. Wide sound stage. Happy with mint used equipment just not sure yet what to audition for my deserted island system (with solar electric panels).
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