What is WiiM… and is it a genuine Sonos rival?

Every thing you might want to learn about WiiM

As audio streaming choices develop, WiiM has emerged as an reasonably priced and easy solution to improve your audio system with multi-room streaming capabilities. 

WiiM has been described as an reasonably priced possibility “at a time when multi-room rivals have misplaced their streaming smarts” – which is clearly a dig on the as soon as undisputed multi-room champion Sonos.

For those who’re not conscious, Sonos has misplaced some severe credibility this yr, and WiiM is completely positioned to capitilize.

WiiM is a model born out of Linkplay Know-how, which was based again in 2014 “by a core crew of excessive caliber know-how entrepreneurs” from the likes of Google, Broadcom and Harman.

Not like Sonos, WiiM doesn’t have its personal proprietary multi-room syncing know-how. As a substitute, it depends on industry-standard protocols like AirPlay 2, Spotify Join, Tidal and Chromecast to realize multi-room performance. 

Nonetheless, WiiM’s gapless playback helps as much as 24-bit/192 kHz audio high quality, and you’ll create teams of WiiM gadgets and play the identical music or completely different music in several rooms, so it behaves similar to a Sonos system.

But it surely’s not simply WiiM-branded gadgets, the corporate is dedicated to growing bespoke audio streaming software program and {hardware} for companions too. 

Companions akin to Audio Professional who, in October 2024, launched two new WiiM-enabled audio system; the C5 MK II WiiM Version and the A10 MK II WiiM version (under).

(Picture credit score: Audio Professional)

These audio system combine right into a WiiM system as in the event that they have been native WiiM gadgets, and sign a future the place WiiM may steal a march on the likes of Sonos by changing into the spine of a multi-room speaker setup that’s model agnostic.

So, whether or not you’re seeking to breathe new life into outdated audio system or add multi-room streaming to your private home setup, WiiM merchandise may present the answer for audiophiles and informal listeners alike.

Learn on to seek out out extra..

What’s WiiM precisely?

WiiM’s focus is making high-resolution audio streaming accessible and simple to combine. On the entire, its gadgets are designed to hook up with your current audio system, stereo methods, or AV receivers, enabling Wi-Fi and Bluetooth streaming from a wide range of companies.

wiim mini
(Picture credit score: Wiim)

There are at present seven completely different WiiM gadgets that can be purchased, starting from the WiiM Mini on the backside finish – an Echo-dot sequence machine designed to hook up with an current system utilizing an Auxiliary cable – to the Extremely ($329) and Amp Professional ($379) on the high of the tree.

This higher-end duo tackle the likes of the Sonos Amp with a number of enter and output choices, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, bit-perfect output, as much as 192 kHz, 24-bit with digital optical or coaxial output, and a large number of streaming choices.

wiim-ultra
(Picture credit score: Wiim)

There are additionally CI fashions aimed on the skilled installer markets, such because the WiiM CI MOD A80 and the WiiM CI MOD S, which have been revealed again in September.

How does it work?

Throughout the vary WiiM helps high-quality codecs like 24-bit/192kHz audio, and works with an array of of Codecs (together with MP3, AAC, ALAC, APE, FLAC, WAV, WMA and OGG) giving audiophiles loads of causes to take observe.

Not like Sonos, Denon and Bluesound, WiiM don’t actually make audio system. It focuses on streaming gadgets that plug into audio system, including up to date multi-room audio smarts.

The exception to this rule is the WiiM Wake-Up Gentle, an All-in-one dawn alarm clock, bedside studying gentle, and sound machine with Alexa built-in.

wiim wake up light
(Picture credit score: WiiM)

Getting began with WiiM

Organising WiiM gadgets is simple. You’ll simply want the WiiM Residence app, obtainable for each iOS and Android, to configure your machine.

The app guides you thru connecting your WiiM machine to your private home Wi-Fi community and linking your streaming companies. 

The app additionally lets you customise sound settings, combine with sensible residence setups, and handle multi-room playback in case you have a number of WiiM models, with the WiiM OS software program powering the present.

Streaming choices and audio high quality

wiim streaming
(Picture credit score: WiiM)

WiiM gadgets help a formidable vary of streaming companies, together with main platforms like Spotify, Amazon Music, and Deezer, and area of interest ones like Qobuz and Tidal, which provide higher-quality audio choices. 

On the subject of protocols, just about the all the main platforms are on supply together with AirPlay 2, Google Forged Audio, DLNA, Spotify Join, Tidal Join, Amazon Alexa Multiroom, Qplay 2.0 and Roon.

For these seeking to keep the integrity of their music, WiiM gadgets help lossless streaming and high-resolution codecs.

WiiM versus Sonos and the remaining

WiiM sits in a singular house, balancing affordability with high-quality audio options usually reserved for pricier gadgets. 

In comparison with manufacturers like Sonos and Bluesound, which provide built-in audio system, WiiM focuses on upgrading your current setup. 

This strategy offers it a leg up for individuals with legacy methods that want a contemporary, streaming-capable refresh with out compromising on sound high quality or eliminating their current, typically dear, speaker and hi-fi setups.

With WiiM partnering with manufacturers like Audio Professional as effectively, you can even use the platform to develop your current setups into multi-room methods with a number of branded audio system all in concord. 

WiiM gadgets in contrast

DEVICEWiiM MiniWiiM ExtremelyWiiM Amp ProfessionalWiiM AmpWiiM Professional PlusWiiM Professional
Audio AmplificationN/ATI TPA3255TI TPA3255TI TPA3255N/AN/A
Pair with a SubNOYESYESYESNONO
USB Port (Storage/Audio Out)NOYESYESYESNONO
Wi-fi ConnectivityWi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0
EthernetNOYESYESYESYESNO
DAC ICTI PCM 5121ESS ES9038 Q2MESS 9018 K2MESS 9018 K2MAKM 4493SEQTI PCM 5121
Analog Out SNR106dB121dB120dB108dB121dB106 dB
THD+N (Analog Out)-92dB (0.0025%)-116 dB (0.00015%)-105 dB (0.0005%) at 5W-92dB (0.0025%) at 5W-113dB (0.00023%)-92dB (0.0025%)
Analog Enter (ADC)Mounted 48k, 16 bitAs much as 192k, 24 bitAs much as 192k, 24 bitAs much as 192k, 24 bitAs much as 192k, 24 bitMounted 48k, 16 bit
Google Forged AudioNOYESYESYESYESYES
Group with Nest audio system and ShowNOYESYESYESYESYES
Group with Echo audio system and ShowYESYESYESYESYESYES
Alexa Multiroom with UHDNOYESYESYESYESYES
Group with HomePodsYESNONOYESYESYES
Works with AlexaYESYESYESYESYESYES
Works with GoogleYESYESYESYESYESNO
Works with SiriYESNONOYESYESYES
Group with WiiM or Linkplay gadgetsYESYESYESYESYESYES
AirPlay 2YESNONOYESYESYES
2-Approach BluetoothYESYESYESYESYESYES
Roon PreparedNOYESYESYESYESYES
DLNAYESYESYESYESYESYES
Spotify JoinYESYESYESYESYESYES
Tidal JoinYESYESYESYESYESYES
Gapless PlaybackYESYESYESYESYESYES
Linkplay Music Streaming PlatformYESYESYESYESYESYES
CPUDualcore A7Quad Core A53Quad Core A53Quad Core A53Quad Core A53Quad Core A53
RAM128MB512MB512MB512MB512MB512MB
Audio Enter AUX 3.5mm jackHDMI ARC, Optical, Line, Phono, USB DiskLine, Optical, HDMI ARC, USB DiskHDMI ARC, Line In, Optical, USB DiskLine-in, OpticalLine-in, Optical
Audio OutputAUX 3.5mm jack, OpticalRCA, Optical COAX, USB, HeadsetBanana (x2), Subwoofer, USBBanana (x2), Subwoofer, USBLine-Out, Optical, CoaxLine-Out, Optical, Coax

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