The WiiM Amp Pro and WiiM Ultra support Dolby Digital Audio, making them perfect for building a 5.1 surround sound system. A 5.1 system creates an immersive audio experience by delivering sound from multiple directions. This setup is ideal for movies, gaming, and music, offering six channels:

  • Five full-range audio channels (Front Left, Center, Front Right, Surround Left, Surround Right)

  • One subwoofer channel for low-frequency effects (LFE)


With a 5.1 surround system, you'll feel enveloped in sound, enhancing the dynamics of your audio experience.

You can achieve this immersive audio setup by connecting multiple WiiM devices in a multi-room configuration. This approach is flexible and cost-effective, allowing you to enjoy the full 5.1 channel experience. This guide will show you how to set up a typical 5.1 surround sound system using WiiM devices.

Learn More about WiiM's Dolby 5.1 Surround System



The principle behind using the advanced WiiM group which contains multiple WiiM devices to create a Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound system relies on advanced audio processing algorithms and multi-device collaboration. Here's how it works:


1. Role of the Master Speaker:
The WiiM device connected to your TV and subwoofer acts as the master speaker. It automatically processes and plays the Center, Front Left, and Front Right audio channels and the subwoofer channel using an advanced algorithm. This ensures the optimal reproduction of the front channels and subwoofer channel, providing clear and precise audio from the master speakers.


The Center channel audio is processed and distributed between the Front Left and Front Right channels using the advanced algorithm. This design eliminates the need for a dedicated physical speaker for the Center channel, ensuring optimal audio reproduction.
 
Note that a separate center speaker is not yet supported in this version but will be added soon.



2. Role of the Surround Speakers


WiiM Amp/Pro/Pro Plus/Ultra: Functions as surround speakers. Support for one or two WiiM Edition Audio Pro speakers as surround speakers will also be added soon. These devices handle the Surround Left (SL) and Surround Right (SR) audio channels, completing the surround sound experience. This setup ensures that the surround speakers fill the space with immersive audio from the sides and rear, enhancing the overall soundstage.

 

WiiM devices seamlessly combine the front and subwoofer channel processing of the master speaker with the surround sound playback from the surround speakers, allowing you to effortlessly build a complete Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound system and enjoy a fully immersive audio experience.

Before You Begin


  • Set up two or three WiiM devices.
  • One WiiM device (WiiM Ultra or WiiM Amp Pro) connects to your TV and subwoofer and serves as the master device in a WiiM group.

  • The remaining WiiM device(s) functions as surround speakers. You have two options:
  • Option 1: Use one WiiM streamer or amplifier (e.g., one WiiM Pro) to function as both the Surround Left and Surround Right speakers.

  • Option 2 (Coming Soon): Use one or two WiiM edition speakers (e.g., two WiiM Edition A10 units) to function as the Surround Left speaker and the Surround Right speaker, respectively. You can mix and match different WiiM devices.

  • Make sure your TV has an HDMI ARC output port.

  • Place the speakers properly.

  • Connect all  WiiM devices to the same Wi-Fi network.

Steps to Set Up a 5.1 Surround Sound


Step 1. Connect a WiiM Device to your TV


  1. Use an HDMI cable to connect a WiiM device to your TV.

  2. Set your TV to output audio to your master WiiM device.

  3. Set the audio output format on your TV to Auto, Dolby Digital Audio, or a similar option.


Step 2. Create a Multi-Room Setup in the WiiM Home App


  1. Open the WiiM Home app on your mobile device.

  2. Go to the Devices tab.

  3. Tap the Chain Link iconon the WiiM device which connected to your TV.

  4. Select the other WiiM devices from the device list.

  5. Tap Done to group WiiM devices and set up a Dolby 5.1 surround audio system.


Step 3. Configure Settings for Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound


  1. Open the WiiM Home app.

  2. Enter the Now Playing page.

  3. Tap theicon to enter the Dolby Surround 5.1 Audio settings page.
  4. Make the following settings:
  • Enable Surround 5.1 Audio.

  • Assign audio channels to surround speakers: 
      - When using one WiiM device as surround speakers, set it to Surround.
      - When using two WiiM devices as surround speakers, set them to Surround Left and Surround Right, respectively.

  • Adjust Group Audio Delay. For details, refer to Using the Group Audio Delay Setting for WiiM Multi-Room Audio.


By leveraging multiple WiiM devices in a multi-room setup, you can achieve a 5.1 surround sound system and enjoy the immersive benefits of this audio format.


Tips


  • Place the speakers around the listening area at ear level with front speakers near the TV, surround speakers slightly behind or to the sides, and the subwoofer near the center for optimal sound.

  • The audio or video being played must support Dolby Digital Audio format; otherwise, achieving a 5.1 channel sound experience will not be possible.