Latest news with #WiiMAmpUltra
Forbes
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
WiiM Amp Ultra Is The Latest All-In-One Streaming Amplifier And It's Shipping Now
The new WiiM Amp Ultra has the classic WiiM styling and just requires a pair of speakers. When it was announced in May at the High End Munich show, WiiM's latest all-in-one streaming amplifier caused quite a stir in the Bavarian capital. The new WiiM Amp Ultra is a compact streamer and contains WiiM's most powerful amplifier to date. This one-box audio solution is designed for music lovers who may be short on space and all it needs is a pair of loudspeakers to finish things off. The WiiM Amp Ultra has the brand's unmistakable design and is built around an aluminum chassis that makes it thermally efficient. At its front is a high-resolution 3.5-inch touchscreen which can be used to control the player and also displays album artwork. The Class D amplifier at the heart of the WiiM Amp Ultra can output up to 100W per channel into 8Ω with ultra-low distortion levels. The New WiiM Amp Ultra This is the latest all-in-one streaming amplifier from WiiM and was developed following extensive research and feedback from the company's customer base. WiiM wanted to know what its users thought an all-in-one streamer should look and sound like. Following a lot of research and design, the WiiM Amp Ultra was born. The WiiM Amp Ultra can output 100W per channel into 8Ω and has two set of stereo speaker outputs. The WiiM Amp Ultra runs with the WiiM Home smartphone app and that's the primary method of control and customization. The Home app can be used to control the music and includes built-in automatic room correction, multi-room grouping, as well as offering access to almost every streaming platform imaginable. The entire setup can be run using a smartphone or tablet. However, the WiiM Amp Ultra can be controlled with the WiiM Voice Remote 2 remote which ships with the unit and looks remarkably similar to the Apple TV 4K metal remote. The entire system can be easily updated with the latest firmware using the app or directly from the unit's touchscreen. WiiM brings new features and improvements to its products with regular firmware updates. Power And Connectivity The WiiM Amp Ultra has outputs for a pair of stereo speakers as well as an output for a powered sub-woofer. There is a basic selection of inputs for attaching both digital and analog sources. The WiiM Amp Ultra can even connect to a TV using the HDMI ARC port to produce a 2.1 home theater system. At the rear of the WiiM Amp Ultra are most of the outputs you need including HDMI Arc, optical, USB, ... More Ethernet, Line In and sub out. With its 100W per channel amplification into 8Ω, there's enough power on board to drive almost any pair of speakers and fill a larger room with sound. The WiiM Amp Ultra also has some other tricks up its sleeve, such as Dolby Digital decoding and post filter feedback technology to handle speaker-load dependency. There are also smart presets for one-touch access to both content and controls. The flexible input and output options on the WiiM Amp Ultra are all powered by a 32-bit/384kHz ESS ES9039Q2M SABRE DAC chip. For the amplification, WiiM opted to use dual TI TPA3255 Class-D amp chips backed up with half a dozen TI OPA1612 op-amps to ensure both low distortion and a detailed sound. Premium Touchscreen The display at the front of the WiiM Amp Ultra is a premium touchscreen and measures 3.5 inches diagonally. With a Corning Glass cover for durability, the screen should be able to withstand years of direct control. The screen also displays playback controls, input sources, EQ settings, music queue view, custom wallpapers, VU meters, Smart Presets, plus it displays recently played tracks, Internet radio stations and more. The new WiiM Amp Ultra comes with an all-metal voice remote that bears more than a passing ... More resemblance to the remote that ships with the Apple TV 4K. Post-filter feedback technology provides stable and load-independent performance across all types of speaker, providing a cleaner sound and better amplifier control. When it comes to wireless connectivity, WiiM has added Wi-Fi 6 which is upgradable to Wi-Fi 6E. There's also a Bluetooth 5.3 receiver with support for SBC and AAC codecs. Oddly, there's no support for LDAC or aptX Adaptive so the Bluetooth is probably the best kept for casual streaming use. WiiM says its dual antenna networking provides fast and reliable streaming without the need for wires. Another feature new to the WiiM Amp Ultra is something called RoomFit; a built in automatic room calibration feature. RoomFit generates a sweeping tone that's played through the WiiM Amp Ultra's speakers and picked up by microphone. The sound is analyzed and used to sculpt the sound EQ so that it works with the acoustic characteristics of the room using customized corrections. Multiple Streaming Services As with any competent streamer, the WiiM Amp Ultra supports Google Cast, Alexa Cast, DLNA, Spotify Connect and TIDAL Connect. However, for some reason, WiiM has recently dropped support for Apple's AirPlay protocol, which is a disappointment. There is support for direct wireless casting via the WiiM Home smartphone app. The WiiM Amp Ultra can also handle analog sources like a turntable, cassette deck or FM tuner. In addition to the casting support, the WiiM Amp Ultra also works with large range of music streaming services with native apps built into WiiM Home app. There's support for services like Spotify, Amazon Music, TIDAL, Qobuz and many more. The WiiM system also supports voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant as well as the voice support built into the WiiM Voice Remote. All the voice services provide hands-free control, so you don't need to bother using the app or the physical remote. With its rating of 100W per channel, there's a lot of audio muscle built into the WiiM Amp Ultra and it's a powerful enough to drive almost any pair of loudspeakers. There is no physical headphone jack, so users are limited to using Bluetooth headphones or earbuds and limited to SBC or AAC codecs. That omission could be a dealbreaker for some people who enjoy private headphone listening. The WiiM Amp Ultra streaming amplifier is shipping now and available from Amazon, and priced at $529.
The Verge
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Verge
WiiM's first smart speaker looks like a HomePod for audiophiles
WiiM has announced three new wireless audiophile devices including the brand's first smart speaker called the Sound with a design that looks inspired by the Apple HomePod. The speaker is joined by the company's first sub-woofer called the Sub Pro that pumps out 250W of bass, and the WiiM Amp Ultra, a new amplifier that can stream directly from services like Spotify, Amazon Music, Tidal, Deezer, and Pandora. The WiiM Sound features playback controls on the top as well as a 1.8-inch high-res touchscreen on the side that can also be used for navigating playlists and menus, selecting presets, or just displaying album art for whatever's currently playing. Using a four-inch woofer and 'dual-balanced mode radiator tweeters' the Sound delivers 100W of power or more with two of them configured as a left and right stereo pair. Image: WiiM The speaker uses a built-in microphone to measure the acoustics in a room and optimize its sound output for the space, but it can also be customized using a 10-band EQ or one of 24 different preset sound profiles. With Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and an ethernet port, the WiiM Sound can stream from over 20 different music services or from apps on other devices using Chromecast, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, DLNA, or Alexa Cast. Hands-free operation is made possible through Alexa, Google Assistant, or an included wireless remote that supports voice commands. WiiM expects the Sound to be available sometime in the third quarter of 2025 through Amazon and 'select retailers,' but says it won't reveal pricing for any of the products it announced today until they launch. If WiiM's smart speaker doesn't deliver enough low-end performance for your ears, it can be paired with the new Sub Pro which features an eight-inch driver and a Class-D amplifier that works in the 25-200Hz frequency range. Connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, ethernet, and an RCA input for connecting to home theater gear, while the Sub Pro offers the same customizability as the Sound smart speaker with automatic room correction and a 10-band EQ available through WiiM's mobile app. Image: WiiM Wiim calls its new WiiM Amp Ultra its 'most refined streaming amplifier yet.' Featuring a unibody aluminum chassis with a 3.5-inch touchscreen on the front, the amp uses audiophile-grade components including an ESS ES9039Q2M Sabre DAC and can deliver 100W of power per channel to drive up to four passive speakers simultaneously. Dual antennas help ensure fast and stable streaming over a Wi-Fi 6E or Bluetooth 5.3 connection, even while listening to high-res music at 24-bit/192kHz quality. Through the WiiM Home app the WiiM Amp Ultra can stream from several popular services including Spotify and Amazon Music while support for Google Cast, Alexa Cast, DLNA, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, DLNA, and Roon facilitates streaming from other apps. The amp also supports voice controls through Alexa, Google Assistant, and its bundled wireless remote, includes an HDMI ARC port with support for Dolby Digital decoding, and has a dedicated subwoofer output so it can be paired with WiiM's new Sub Pro.
Forbes
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
WiiM Boosts Amplifier Lineup With New 100W Model With Elegant Screen And Streamer
The new WiiM Amp Ultra is being launched at High-End Munich and offers 100W pr channel with the ... More latest WiiM streamer technology. It's that time of year again when the world's hi-fi buffs descend on the Bavarian capital of Munich for the High-End Show, where some of the world's most expensive and newest audio equipment is on show. Launching at High-End Munich is the new WiiM Amp Ultra, WiiM's most powerful and refined streaming amplifier to date. Housed in an aluminum chassis and with a 3.5-inch touchscreen, the WiiM Amp Ultra offers 100W per channel output and an ultra-low distortion sound. Designed following feedback from WiiM's community of users, the WiiM Amp Ultra builds on the streaming power of the WiiM Amp Pro and combines it with the premium display used in the WiiM Ultra. Like all the brand's products, the WiiM Amp Ultra connects via the WiiM Home app, enabling whole-home control, automatic room correction, multi-room grouping and access to dozens of streaming platforms. Users can control their entire setup using the app, voice assistants or the WiiM Voice Remote 2 which comes with the Amp Ultra. Regular firmware updates ensure the Amp Ultra gets new features and improvements over time. The new WiiM Amp Ultra combines streamer and amplifier in one device. 'The WiiM Amp Ultra reflects the voice of our community,' says Dr. Lifeng Zhao, CEO of WiiM. 'Our users wanted more power, refinement, and connectivity, without losing the high-fidelity audio, and we listened. This amplifier was designed for discerning listeners who want to elevate their setups with precision, clarity, and smarter connectivity.' The WiiM Amp Ultra can drive up to four passive speakers, making it suitable for creating immersive sound in one large room or across multiple zones around the home. Whether connecting to a TV for theater-quality audio, streaming playlists or upgrading vintage stereo gear, the Amp Ultra has many uses. With 100W per channel at 8Ω and the ability to drive up to four speakers, the WiiM Amp Ultra offers Dolby Digital decoding, HDMI ARC and a dedicated subwoofer output for creating a home theater sound. Designed with flexible input and out options, the device uses 32-bit/384kHz ESS ES9039Q2M SABRE DAC, dual TI TPA3255 Class-D amp chips and six TI OPA1612 op-amps for low distortion and detailed sound. WiiM Amp Ultra is a small and neat all-one streamer and amplifier. The display on the new WiiM Amp Ultra is a touchscreen and measures 3.5 inches. The glass-covered screen has playback controls, input switching, EQ settings, queue view, custom wallpapers, VU meters, Smart Preset, Recently Played, Internet Radio and more. Other features include post-filter feedback technology for stable, load-independent performance across all speaker types, serving up clean sound and improved amplifier control. With Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio and dual antennas, WiiM says its new amp offers fast and reliable wireless streaming. Automatic Room Correction is included with the WiiM Amp Ultra and can correct sound using precise acoustic measurements of a room, creating customized corrections. The WiiM Amp Ultra supports Google Cast, Alexa Cast, DLNA, Spotify Connect, and TIDAL Connect, with seamless access to top music services like Spotify, Amazon Music, TIDAL, Qobuz, and more via the WiiM Home App. It also works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and the WiiM Voice Remote for hands-free control. It pairs with the WiiM Sound and WiiM streamers for a complete setup, working within the broader WiiM Ecosystem. However, like the WiiM Amp Pro, it has no support for Apple AirPlay, which might put some people off. The two other WiiM products being launched at High-End Munich are the WiiM Sound portable speaker and the WiiM Sub Pro. The WiiM Sound and WiiM Sub Pro are the first smart speaker and subwoofer from WiiM. This launch marks a turning point in the WiiM ecosystem, expanding its reach with more connected audio products. The little WiiM Sound speakers is a standalone wireless speaker designed to compete with Sonos. The WiiM Sound is a compact and powerful speaker that can be placed on a shelf, counter or wall mounted. It offers 100W of output through a 4-inch woofer and dual-balanced mode radiator tweeters. There is support for up to 192 kHz/32-bit high-resolution streaming. With the WiiM Sound, users can quickly switch playlists, adjust the volume or move the music to another room by using the WiiM app on a smartphone. Multiple WiiM Sound speakers can be added throughout a home for multi-room operation, with music playing in every space and controlled using the WiiM Home App or by asking Google or Alexa. The new WiiM Sound is the first all-in-one speaks from the brand. Users can also control playback directly via the speaker's 1.8-inch touchscreen, while the WiiM Home App enables automatic room correction, EQ customization, and preset management for a personalized listening experience. The new Sound speaker is equipped with Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 and 100 Mbps Ethernet for reliable streaming. Advanced sound customization provides 24 preset EQ profiles and a 10-band graphic and parametric EQ for even more precise adjustments. Room Correction takes precise acoustic measurements of a room, creating a customized correction. Two WiiM Sound speakers can be paired to create a left/right stereo setup for a wider soundstage. There new WiiM Sub Pro has 250W of output and automatic room correction. As well as being used as a standalone speaker, the WiiM Sound can also function as a surround or center channel speaker in a Dolby 5.1 setup for home cinema use. The speaker also supports direct streaming from Chromecast, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, DLNA or Alexa Cast. No support for AirPlay, though. The last of the trio of new products from WiiM is a 250W subwoofer designed to amplify home audio with deep bass. Engineered with an 8-inch driver and Class-D amplifier, the new WiiM Sub Pro has a frequency range from 30Hz to 200Hz, making it suitable for music, movies and games. The Sub Pro also has automatic room correction, an RCA input for flexible connectivity, plus support for audio streaming via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth using the WiiM Home app. The WiiM Amp Ultra, including the Voice Remote 2, will be available in Q3 2025 through Amazon and select retail partners. WiiM Sound and Sub Pro will be available in Q3 2025 on Amazon and at select retailers. No pricing info has been released yet. For more information, visit
