WiiM Mini Review (Streamer)

[Yersinia Bestmate]

You can set both an AuxOut limit in Vrms as well as a MaxVolume in %. So no, MaxVol is not the only way to compensate.

Don't know why but at least in my case if I limit the vol to 75% for example, it still goes above that if I push vol up button on the phone I'm controlling the app/device. So the max vol % doesn't work. I only use toslink output and have tried all the workarounds provided by Wiim in vain.

I'd still argue that having per-source pre-gain control would be an update most welcome to Wiim Mini users who use the built in PEQ.

 

[pablolie]

Don't know why but at least in my case if I limit the vol to 75% for example, it still goes above that if I push vol up button on the phone I'm controlling the app/device. So the max vol % doesn't work. I only use toslink output and have tried all the workarounds provided by Wiim in vain.

I'd still argue that having per-source pre-gain control would be an update most welcome to Wiim Mini users who use the built in PEQ.

I haven't tested that, will check when I get home. In general I'd never fully trust software settings with providing protection to a system. Once, during a thunderstorm, something in my streamer went haywire and it blew a pair of active speakers into smithereens. The streamer was configured in software settings to a 30% limit....

 

[staticV3]

Don't know why but at least in my case if I limit the vol to 75% for example, it still goes above that if I push vol up button on the phone I'm controlling the app/device. So the max vol % doesn't work.

There are several independent volume controls when streaming to the WiiM and the volume limit only affects the WiiM's own.

E.g. if I chromecast to the WiiM I can max out the Chromecast volume slider on my phone (sending full volume to the WiiM), but the WiiM's own internal attenuator can still be limited to 75%.

It's also possible that enabling the volume limiter in the WiiM Home App isn't reflected visually in the WiiM Home volume slider in that it gets stuck before reaching the end.

It's possible that the slider values are just remapped so that the slider turned up all the way to the right looks just like before, but now means 75% volume.

I'll check what's what and report back.

 

[Yersinia Bestmate]

There are several independent volume controls when streaming to the WiiM and the volume limit only affects the WiiM's own.

I'm using Tidal via the Wiim Home App. If the volume is at max from the source app, Wiim of course should not go above the specified 75% limit, yet it does if I accidently push the volume up on the phone I have for controlling the app/Wiim.

It's also possible that enabling the volume limiter in the WiiM Home App isn't reflected visually in the WiiM Home volume slider in that it gets stuck before reaching the end.

It's possible that the slider values are just remapped so that the slider turned up all the way to the right looks just like before, but now means 75% volume.

Didn't work like that, was the first thing I tried.

I'll check what's what and report back.

Thanks that'd be nice if you have time for it!

 

[jareinertson]

Don't know why but at least in my case if I limit the vol to 75% for example, it still goes above that if I push vol up button on the phone I'm controlling the app/device. So the max vol % doesn't work. I only use toslink output and have tried all the workarounds provided by Wiim in vain.

I'd still argue that having per-source pre-gain control would be an update most welcome to Wiim Mini users who use the built in PEQ.

It is working correctly. If the Volume Limit is set to 75%, when you set the Volume slider to maximum , you are getting 75% of maximum volume.

 

[markstein]

There is not on Wiim Mini.

Max volume limit is the only way to compensate, which is stupid imo.

Pre-gain can be controlled in all other Wiim products as far as I know.

WiiM mini also offers a input related volume setting. You can activate ot under "audio input". Is this different from input related pre gain?

 

[Yersinia Bestmate]

This is wrong information. WiiM mini also offers such a setting. You can activate ot under "audio input".

No it is not wrong info. And yes, I am aware of the per-source vol control. Per-source volume control is not exactly the same thing as pre-gain adjustment for input. And anyway the problem is that even if I'd set the max vol at, say 75% (as I have), I can still go above it just by pushing volume up button, so it doesn't limit the volume.. Dunno, maybe the problem is in the phone I use to control the Mini but there definitely is no pre-gain adjustment on Wiim Mini as there is in Wiim Amp, Ultra, Pro, Amp Pro and Amp Ultra which would allow one to set negative or positive gain measured in decibels for each input.

This is the pre gain menu in Wiim Ultra.

 

[Yersinia Bestmate]

It is working correctly. If the Volume Limit is set to 75%, when you set the Volume slider to maximum , you are getting 75% of maximum volume.

Nope. It goes over it.

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

Nope. It goes over it.

But this goes to 11…

 

[antcollinet]

and came into it with zero bias.

No one does - and no one can - it is how we are built (Perceptive bias is not the same as prejudice, and doesn't necessarily have anything to do with conscious expectations)

Not saying that you are not hearing something real - just that I'll be surprised if you are (other than possible level mismatch, or as you mention a fault of some sort). The only way to know...... Well I think you probably already know that.

 

[pablolie]

No one does - and no one can

I am not sure I subscribe to that. I truly and honestly was *sure* I'd hear perfectly solid sound from the Wiim Mini analog out given the environment and equipment at my GF's place. I was mystified when, first, only one channel was working (which makes me think it may be connection related, but we shall see this weekend), and then something sounded quite flat to me. Note I haven't attributed it to the ho-hum -by SOTA standards- SINAD measurement.

What I can 100% guarantee is I heard "something" unsatisfying I didn't at all expect.

... The only way to know...... Well I think you probably already know that.

I'll approach it very systematically. It's not rocket science to establish if it's a connection issue, a problem with the particular device I got, or if I have developed fennec fox hearing overnight. :-D

 

[morillon]

I didn't find it good either...
even worse in analog than the old Chromecast.
Besides, its digital output is inferior to the 2014 Chromecast Cast Audio...

But they made significant progress with the "Plus" version.
(The Pro, in terms of analog, essentially reused the Wii Mini's analog foundation, only slightly improved, the same approach, just a bit better implemented... so not very interesting. The digt output is also better, perhaps more significantly...)

And in this case, you can't accuse me of reacting to the cost... so low... and observed in comparison with the Chromecast over time...
;-)
After several months, I finally put it on a DAC... (for modest use).

But it's nothing shocking... for the price...
Respectable and welcome... the discontinuation of the Chromecast Audio had created a certain void.
and the first attempt from a brand with no audio experience and without the engineering of a Google...
Perhaps we can hope for a future Mini MK2 with significantly better audio hardware... it's come in the end of 2021!

 

[markstein]

No it is not wrong info. And yes, I am aware of the per-source vol control. Per-source volume control is not exactly the same thing as pre-gain adjustment for input. And anyway the problem is that even if I'd set the max vol at, say 75% (as I have), I can still go above it just by pushing volume up button, so it doesn't limit the volume.. Dunno, maybe the problem is in the phone I use to control the Mini but there definitely is no pre-gain adjustment on Wiim Mini as there is in Wiim Amp, Ultra, Pro, Amp Pro and Amp Ultra which would allow one to set negative or positive gain measured in decibels for each input.

This is the pre gain menu in Wiim Ultra.
View attachment 511702

I edited my post, understand that pre-gain and "per input gain setting" are two different things!

 

[staticV3]

Didn't work like that, was the first thing I tried.

Thanks that'd be nice if you have time for it!

As suspected, set the Volume limit to e.g. 38% in the WiiM Home App and the volume that was previously attained by setting the WiiM volume slider to 38, is now at 100.

Going to 38 after enabling the limit is now "twice" (not really) as quiet as before.

To be precise, e.g. volume 38 w/ Limiter at 100% equals -24dB and setting the limiter to 38% makes -24dB the new starting point.

That means with 38% limiter, Volume 100 equals -24dB and Volume 38 equals -24dB -24dB -> -48dB.

 

[pablolie]

As suspected, set the Volume limit to e.g. 38% in the WiiM Home App and the volume that was previously attained by setting the WiiM volume slider to 38, is now at 100.

Going to 38 after enabling the limit is now "twice" (not really) as quiet as before.

To be precise, e.g. volume 38 w/o Limiter equals -24dB and setting the limiter to 38% makes -24dB the new starting point.

That means with 38% limiter, Volume 100 equals -24dB and Volume 38 equals -24dB -24dB -> -48dB.

Good to know, I am not sure if I have a need for the Wiim Mini as a protection for the rest of the chain, but it's good t know it can work.

The app also doesn't provide any info on whay they have both the VolumeMax % and the Vrms settings, that is protection vs matching, which may cause future problems for some users. Let's just say I'd never connect this kind of device directly to a 400W poweramp and $Xk speakers behind said poweramp.

 

[staticV3]

In-depth measurements on volume and EQ headroom posted here:

Guide for Managing Volume and Headroom on the WiiM Mini (Measurements)

This is a small excursion into volume and EQ headroom on the WiiM Mini (and by extension, likely other WiiM products). WiiM Mini Firmware: 4.6.805929 WiiM Home Version: 3.5.1 For all tests, I used a -1dBFS Measurement Sweep, exported from REW and played back directly via the WiiM Home App...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Yersinia Bestmate]

As suspected, set the Volume limit to e.g. 38% in the WiiM Home App and the volume that was previously attained by setting the WiiM volume slider to 38, is now at 100.

Going to 38 after enabling the limit is now "twice" (not really) as quiet as before.

To be precise, e.g. volume 38 w/ Limiter at 100% equals -24dB and setting the limiter to 38% makes -24dB the new starting point.

That means with 38% limiter, Volume 100 equals -24dB and Volume 38 equals -24dB -24dB -> -48dB.

For some reason it doesn't work for me. If I set the max volume to 75% for example, the _actual_ volume goes above it if I push the phone's volume buttons. The max-setting (e.g. 38%) is not just remapped to 100, but it's as if the limiter does nothing. I'm starting to believe it has something to do with the phone I'm using to control the Wiim.

I don't get it, gotta look into it some other time.

Edit: PS. thank you for your effort!

 

[morillon]

Set the volume to a fixed 100% level and then play with the "limiter" volume... this will hopefully allow you to understand its principle... (same with not fixed) ;-)

 

[jareinertson]

For some reason it doesn't work for me. If I set the max volume to 75% for example, the _actual_ volume goes above it if I push the phone's volume buttons. The max-setting (e.g. 38%) is not just remapped to 100, but it's as if the limiter does nothing. I'm starting to believe it has something to do with the phone I'm using to control the Wiim.

I don't get it, gotta look into it some other time.

Edit: PS. thank you for your effort!

The Volume Limit determines the maximum output of the device. The Volume setting determines what percentage of the maximum output is being used. So if the Volume limit is set to 38%, when the Volume is set to 100%, the device is operating at 38% output. If the Volume setting is 50% then the device is operating at 50% x 38% or 19% output.

 

[Yersinia Bestmate]

The Volume Limit determines the maximum output of the device. The Volume setting determines what percentage of the maximum output is being used. So if the Volume limit is set to 38%, when the Volume is set to 100%, the device is operating at 38% output. If the Volume setting is 50% then the device is operating at 50% x 38% or 19% output.

I've repeated this before but in my case it doesn't work. If I set limit to 75% it goes just as loud as when the limit it set to 99% or disabled alltogether. I mean the actual percieved volume, not just the numbers or slider in the app. I believe it has something to do with the phone somehow forcing AVC (absolute volume control) it is an ~8yo Huawei.

But thanks for your reply!