Wiim Sound Review: Great Audio, But Missing Key Features
The smart speaker market is seeing a surge in innovation, with companies focusing on multi-room streaming, intuitive displays, and higher fidelity audio. The Wiim Sound, priced at $299, is the latest contender, aiming to challenge established players like Sonos, Amazon, and Apple. While it offers a unique combination of features, including a touchscreen display not found on all competitors, it also has limitations, notably the lack of support for Apple Music and AirPlay.
The Wiim Sound distinguishes itself with a focus on sound quality and a sleek design. It features two full-range tweeters and a 4-inch long-throw woofer, delivering a strong bass response and clear highs. ZDNET’s review notes that even at low volumes, the bass is noticeable, and while distortion can occur at higher levels, the overall sonic performance is impressive, particularly when compared to the Sonos Era 100. The speaker supports high-resolution audio up to 24-bit/192 kHz, exceeding the fidelity offered by many competitors.
A Different Approach to the Smart Speaker Experience
Unlike Amazon’s Echo devices, the Wiim Sound requires a dedicated remote to access voice assistant capabilities. Here’s a deliberate design choice, prioritizing a cleaner aesthetic and a more focused audio experience. The inclusion of a touchscreen display is another differentiating factor, though its functionality is currently limited. While it can display photos, act as a clock, and show the currently playing track, its potential remains largely untapped. Users accustomed to more interactive displays, like those found on Amazon’s Echo Show devices, may find it somewhat underutilized.
The Wiim Home companion app is central to the user experience, providing control over EQ settings, streaming service integration, and source inputs. It also allows users to create playlists from various supported platforms, including Spotify, SoundCloud, Pandora, Qobuz, Deezer, Napster, and Tidal. However, the absence of Apple Music and AirPlay support is a significant drawback for users heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem. This omission was specifically highlighted in ZDNET’s review as a major consideration for potential buyers.
The Wiim Sound also offers a multi-room pairing feature, similar to Sonos, allowing users to group multiple speakers for synchronized audio playback. However, the implementation isn’t as seamless or intuitive as Sonos’ system. Wiim speakers tend to operate more independently, which can be beneficial for individual speaker customization but less ideal for creating a unified multi-room audio experience. Reddit users have also discussed challenges with achieving optimal audio quality via Wi-Fi when using Apple Music with Wiim devices.
Design and Connectivity
Aesthetically, the Wiim Sound strikes a balance between modern minimalism and understated elegance. It’s slightly larger than the Sonos Era 100 and significantly bigger than the Apple HomePod 2, but its design allows it to blend seamlessly into various home environments. The touchscreen display adds a touch of personalization, and the physical controls on top of the speaker provide convenient access to basic functions like play/pause, volume adjustment, and track skipping. A 3.5mm jack on the underside allows for wired connections to compatible devices, offering additional flexibility.
The speaker’s design choices reflect a broader trend in the smart speaker market, where manufacturers are moving away from overly intrusive designs and towards more subtle, integrated aesthetics. This approach aims to appeal to a wider range of consumers who prioritize both sound quality and visual harmony.
What the Wiim Sound Doesn’t Offer
Despite its strengths, the Wiim Sound isn’t without its shortcomings. The lack of on-device voice command functionality is a notable omission, requiring users to connect the speaker to Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, or Google Home for voice control. The limited functionality of the touchscreen display also feels like a missed opportunity. Expanding its capabilities to include features like calendar integration or on-screen playlist search could significantly enhance its value.
the Wiim ecosystem, while growing, isn’t as mature or comprehensive as those offered by Sonos or Amazon. Software updates and feature additions are crucial for long-term success, and Wiim will need to continue investing in its app and software support to remain competitive. ZDNET’s review of the WiiM Amp Ultra highlights the company’s focus on improving audio streaming quality, suggesting a commitment to enhancing the overall user experience.
Buying Considerations and Alternatives
The Wiim Sound is a compelling option for audiophiles and power users who prioritize sound quality and granular control over their audio settings. Its robust EQ settings and flexible connectivity options produce it a versatile choice for a variety of listening environments. However, potential buyers should carefully consider its limitations, particularly the lack of Apple Music and AirPlay support.
If seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem is a priority, the Sonos Era 100 remains a strong contender. For those seeking a more visually engaging smart speaker experience, the Amazon Echo Show 11 offers a larger, more interactive display. The best choice depends on individual needs and preferences.
Looking ahead, Wiim’s success will likely hinge on its ability to address the current limitations of its software and expand its ecosystem. Continued investment in app development, the addition of support for key streaming services like Apple Music, and the exploration of new features for the touchscreen display will be crucial for establishing the Wiim Sound as a long-term player in the competitive smart speaker market.