WiiM Ultra

[Romario]

Only issue with this approach is you lose the bass management on that wireless sub.
There was a mention a while ago on the Wiim forum that they may release a Wiim Sub which would be a Wiim Mini repurposed as wireless sub output with bass management, PEQ etc. I actually think that would be a good idea, as it would enable the Mini/Pro/ProPlus to add a subwoofer output with all the trimmings as well.

There is a PEQ on the mini nowadays, but I get your point about the bass managment. Either way, both 2 subs on one line output and the wireless option on the second sub is hard to measure correctly with just one RC option, I think.

 

[NTK]

I think most currently are. These days I think it would only be transformer coupled balanced outputs that would not be earth referenced.

Certainly anyone installing the connectors in their gear could make the hot/cold ground referenced.

If that's the case, then most balanced outputs can be connected to unbalanced inputs simply by using the +ve out and ground from the XLR output. That, however, is not the usual recommendation.

 

[antcollinet]

If that's the case, then most balanced outputs can be connected to unbalanced inputs simply by using the +ve out and ground from the XLR output. That, however, is not the usual recommendation.

Yes they can - but then of course you lose any benefits of a balanced connection. Hence not recommended. And when going FROM balanced to unbalanced, there is no way to make a pseudo balanced connection (which requires a balanced reciever) as you can when going in the other direction.

 

[Joffy1780]

There is a PEQ on the mini nowadays, but I get your point about the bass managment. Either way, both 2 subs on one line output and the wireless option on the second sub is hard to measure correctly with just one RC option, I think.

The room correction as it stands wouldn't be able to EQ the wireless sub at all, but you could do it manually, as you say.
I'd rather use the splitter option currently, as it is cheaper and likely to be less problematic, to be honest.
When you group Wiim devices, they are then limited to 16bit/48k, if that is of concern as well.

 

[James240]

So its recommended to use the Wiim variable volume and just set a fixed volume on the amp?

At the moment i have the Wiim fixed at 100% and just control the volume on the amp.

Im kinda nervous maxing out the volume on the amp and relying on the Wiim to not reset to 100% and blow everything up

 

[Dr. Noooooo]

The subwoofer output seems to be gone broken in my unit a few days back. It does not reproduce lowest notes anymore, only above 150Hz or something and it just doesn’t sound right anymore. Checked it with my AVR and changed cables and nothing wrong with the subwoofer itself, it’s definately the Sub Out of the Ultra. To me it sounds like defect in the OpAmp. I have contacted the Wiim Support but no reply so far. Just curios whether anyone else has experienced similar issue with the device?

 

[somebodyelse]

So its recommended to use the Wiim variable volume and just set a fixed volume on the amp?

At the moment i have the Wiim fixed at 100% and just control the volume on the amp.

Im kinda nervous maxing out the volume on the amp and relying on the Wiim to not reset to 100% and blow everything up

The fixed volume on the amp doesn't need to be maximum, just loud enough for your loudest listening. That way if the Wiim goes to maximum you just get something you would listen to anyway.

 

[rgruber]

Seems like if you really want balanced from WIIM for whatever advantages true balanced outs might have (not just the proper cable end), you are best off going optical out to a DAC that has balanced outs.

Would not a good rca to xlr cable with only a 3db drop in loudness?

 

[staticV3]

Im kinda nervous maxing out the volume on the amp and relying on the Wiim to not reset to 100% and blow everything up

Then don't.

Set the amp volume so that 100% on the WiiM gives you about as much loudness as you'll need during day-to-day use.

Then, leave the amp volume there and use the WiiM to control volume.

That way, even if you accidentally max out the WiiM, you won't damage anything.

 

[Joffy1780]

I ran some measurements earlier to see the effects of Wiim's automated room correction. Wiim are about to start beta testing room correction which corrects both channels independently, so the results should be even better when they do, hopefully.
The results are from two separate 'correction' sessions - the first using the mics in an Oppo Find X5 Pro and an iPhone 14 and the second using a Umik-1 (sans calibration file) connected to my Oppo phone. In the first session I limited the correction to between 45-4kHz for Android and between 45-2kHz for iOS. The second session with the Umik-1 was limited to 20-700hz. In both session I limited max boost to 6dB and left max Q set at 10.
I'll let you all decide for yourselves whether you think it is effective.

Second session results below - room correction using UMIK-1 connected to Oppo Find X5 Pro.

Left channel:

Purple trace is uncorrected, green is corrected to B+K curve and orange is corrected to 'flat'.

Right Channel:

Purple trace is uncorrected, green is corrected to B+K and orange is flat.

Left and Right:

Purple trace is uncorrected, green is corrected to B+K and orange corrected to flat.

First session (Phone mic).

Left channel:

Purple is uncorrected, green is corrected to flat using Oppo internal microphone and orange is corrected to flat using iPhone 14 internal Mic.

Right channel:

Purple is uncorrected, green is corrected to flat using Oppo internal microphone and orange is corrected to flat using iPhone 14 internal Mic.

Left and Right:

Purple is uncorrected, green is corrected to flat using Oppo internal microphone and orange is corrected to flat using iPhone 14 internal Mic.

System chain - Laptop running REW connected to Wiim Pro via HDMI>Optical extractor. Wiim Pro is connected to SMSL DO100 via optical, which feeds an Audiophonics MPA-S125NC via RCA (driving a pair of KEF Q4) and a BK Double Gem subwoofer via XLR>RCA cable. There is no bass management in play, other than the low pass filter on the BK sub.
Can share .mdat files if anyone is interested.

Hope this helps anyone wondering whether the Wiim room correction is just a throw away gimmick or an effective tool.

 

[staticV3]

I ran some measurements earlier to see the effects of Wiim's automated room correction. Wiim are about to start beta testing room correction which corrects both channels independently, so the results should be even better when they do, hopefully.
The results are from two separate 'correction' sessions - the first using the mics in an Oppo Find X5 Pro and an iPhone 14 and the second using a Umik-1 (sans calibration file) connected to my Oppo phone. In the first session I limited the correction to between 45-4kHz for Android and between 45-2kHz for iOS. The second session with the Umik-1 was limited to 20-700hz. In both session I limited max boost to 6dB and left max Q set at 10.
I'll let you all decide for yourselves whether you think it is effective.

Second session results below - room correction using UMIK-1 connected to Oppo Find X5 Pro.

Left channel:

View attachment 391836

Purple trace is uncorrected, green is corrected to B+K curve and orange is corrected to 'flat'.

Right Channel:
View attachment 391837

Purple trace is uncorrected, green is corrected to B+K and orange is flat.

Left and Right:
View attachment 391846
Purple trace is uncorrected, green is corrected to B+K and orange corrected to flat.

First session (Phone mic).

Left channel:

View attachment 391844

Purple is uncorrected, green is corrected to flat using Oppo internal microphone and orange is corrected to flat using iPhone 14 internal Mic.

Right channel:

View attachment 391845


Purple is uncorrected, green is corrected to flat using Oppo internal microphone and orange is corrected to flat using iPhone 14 internal Mic.

Left and Right:
View attachment 391847

Purple is uncorrected, green is corrected to flat using Oppo internal microphone and orange is corrected to flat using iPhone 14 internal Mic.

System chain - Laptop running REW connected to Wiim Pro via HDMI>Optical extractor. Wiim Pro is connected to SMSL DO100 via optical, which feeds an Audiophonics MPA-S125NC via RCA (driving a pair of KEF Q4) and a BK Double Gem subwoofer via XLR>RCA cable. There is no bass management in play, other than the low pass filter on the BK sub.
Can share .mdat files if anyone is interested.

Hope this helps anyone wondering whether the Wiim room correction is just a throw away gimmick or an effective tool.

None of your graphs load currently.

You cannot drag images directly into the text box.

You need to use either the "Attach files" button below, or the Image attach button on top.

Edit: fixed

 

[Joffy1780]

None of your graphs load currently.

You cannot drag images directly into the text box.

You need to use either the "Attach files" button below, or the Image attach button on top.

Sorry, I was editing and lost the images, should be OK now.

 

[staticV3]

Sorry, I was editing and lost the images, should be OK now.

Yup, they show up now

One tip: check your axis limits before taking the screenshots.

An x-axis from 3Hz to 1650Hz will cut off most of the data.

Similarly, a y-axis from 0 to 110dB will majorly compress what little data there is, making it even harder to read.

40-90dB SPL, 10Hz to 20kHz would be sensible values.

 

[Joffy1780]

Yup, they show up now

One tip: check your axis limits before taking the screenshots.

An x-axis from 3Hz to 1650Hz will cut off most of the data.

Similarly, a y-axis from 0 to 110dB will majorly compress what little data there is, making it even harder to read.

What axis limits would you suggest and I'll redo?

 

[staticV3]

What axis limits would you suggest and I'll redo?

40-90dB SPL, 10Hz to 20kHz would make sense.

 

[Joffy1780]

Filters applied by Wiim;
UMIK measured corrected to B+K curve



UMIK measured corrected to flat



Android measured corrected to flat


iOS measured corrected to flat

 

[Soniclife]

So its recommended to use the Wiim variable volume and just set a fixed volume on the amp?

At the moment i have the Wiim fixed at 100% and just control the volume on the amp.

Im kinda nervous maxing out the volume on the amp and relying on the Wiim to not reset to 100% and blow everything up

I don't see why one way is recommended over the other, use whatever works for you. If your amp has a volume control that's always in the circuit, most are, then I'd use it personally.

 

[Rednaxela]

For REW graphs I recommend exporting using the Capture button:

Then choose 50dB/decade here:

This will standardize the graph’s proportions and make them visually comparable regardless of the chosen axis limits.

 

[staticV3]

For REW graphs I recommend exporting using the Capture button:

View attachment 391881


Then choose 50dB/decade here:

View attachment 391882

This will standardize the graph’s proportions and make them visually comparable regardless of the chosen axis limits.

50dB/dec is really quite stretched:


Also doesn't fix poorly chosen axis limits:

 

[Rednaxela]

50dB/dec is really quite stretched:
View attachment 391884

Perhaps. On the other hand it's the most flattering ratio specified by the standard the functionality was based on.

Also doesn't fix poorly chosen axis limits:
View attachment 391885

Agree but it does make the actual issue visible.