My thinking was that since these are 3-way speakers, they should be able to deliver room-filling sound with ease. However, I’ve noticed that they aren’t very popular or highly regarded. If you all believe they would actually be a downgrade, then I’d definitely prefer to consider the 3050i—provided I can find them within my budget.
Need guidance on next upgrade – WiiM Amp Ultra vs Speaker upgrade (Budget 78K)
- Thread starter Dhiraj
- Start date
caspian1985
Active Member
The WiiM Ultra does not have an amplifier - I use the Ultra at home and the upgrade in streaming especially with Spotify Lossless now is amazing.
The days of “poor quality Chinese” stuff is long gone - most brands including Marantz ( except for a few flagship models ) are made in China, Vietnam, Thailand etc.
I’ve heard the WiiM Amp Ultra briefly and I was impressed by its SQ.
What sets WiiM apart though is also its software. The number of EQ and integration options on the app, time alignment with the subwoofer, and most importantly their RoomFit room calibration knocks it oht of the park.
The Ultra is a worthy upgrade to any entry to mid level system IMHO
Do you think pm5005 has enough of power for Q3? https://store.plushtechnologies.in/...1vRgnZHiGVlfgzHltaA6xzjOdF4hcnM0nHzpejLEM9DZU
Not sure if I can buy from this link, if I consider these speakers. Let me know.
It was pretty obvious but If we're being pedantic, i was referring to the wiim amp ultra.
I use an Eversolo A8 and Kinki Studio EX-M1+ which are chinese but cheap poor quality stuff is poor quality stuff irrespective of origin - it just so happens to be mostly from China so its a manner of speaking and but obvious as well. i have other cheap class d amps which are just about alright but aren’t better than the Marantz PM6006 im using.
The M1 is made in Japan. But thats besides the point - the technology, expertise matters and quality control exercised by the parent company matters.
I’d urge you to hear more amps.
I’ve used dirac live on a number of devices and i prefer placement over software measures - sounds better on most days and twice on sunday.
Its a sidegrade in SQ but may provide a different flavour and definitely adds great ease of use which, for many, makes the entire experience more enjoyable.
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More than enough and then some.
But it from a dealer if possible. I don’t recognise this website.
What speakers was the WiiM Amp Ultra driving, and how large was the listening area? Also, please share which amplifier and speakers you paired with the WiiM Ultra streamer, and how well the bass management performed.
caspian1985
Active Member
I’ve spent times with amps ranging from cheap Fosi audio stuff to Bryston. It’s pretty obvious, but maybe I should clarify I was impressed by the Amp Ultra at its price point.
Placement and software measures are not mutually exclusive as I’m sure you know.
In terms of hardware and softwares quality and sound WiiM is super solid ( at the price again). That’s why they’ve grown the way they have.
I used to use the Marantz slimline class A/B amps to drive an old pair of Jamo’s, and the Marantz struggled. In terms of the Model M1’s class D implementation versus the Amp Ultra, a lot depends on the chips which are anyway 3rd party.
How the Ultra impacts a system depends on what the system is
its 76k. There are many other options around that price point, including the M1 for 9k more, which are better.
Do tell.
They make a competent product but its SQ is not its USP.
I have one too - the all in one bargain basement devices which compromised on SQ to meet a ceratin price point, not unlike perhaps the WIIM?
Thankfully, i cant think of any such caveats with rock solid amps like the M1 - whether driving budget or relatively high end, it always manages to sound good and comfortably drives everything you throw at it - from 20k speakers to 6L and everything in between, it puts up a good show as a good amp should.
jayantadak
Active Member
@Dhiraj, Would you suggest any bookshelf which would serve the purpose eliminating the towers due to paucity of space. Listening area is 170 sq ft. At present using Marantz Cinema 60.
jayantadak
Active Member
@ caspian 1985 - Are there any places in Mumbai where Wiim Ultra can be demoed ?
morerajendra5678
Active Member
You may contact hifimart. They can help you demo one.
ajuvignesh
Well-Known Member
In your case a floorstander or a bookshelf both will work since you have a subwoofer already. Changing speakers make the most impact in the system. In your budget, kef is a solid choice. Qacoustics is another good brand. Your amp can drive bookshelves with good sensitivity easily. Go for a bookshelf that is loud enough since your listening distance is long. How about monitor audio bronze or silver? If not qacoustics 3030i, concept 20 would do. If you can spare a little more cash, nothing can beat a fyne audio f500. Its a bargain at that price. Qacoustics 5020 is also good.
I’m actually in the same boat and still exploring upgrade options myself, so I may not be the best person to recommend bookshelf models. The experts here will be able to guide you much better.
As you can see, there’s no one size fits all. However, some products are more proven than others. With your current setup, i believe i have the closest approximation/reference of the sound you’re currently experiencing, room aside, because i have the Boston Acoustics A26 too and on nexus stands at that paired to a Marantz PM6006 (which is pretty much a 5005 with a toroidal transformer and DAC) so.
Having that out of the way, the Marantz M1 has not only much better SQ purely on the hardware side any day of the week and twice on Sunday but also has the much better room correction in DIRAC live that absolutely runs circles around the Wiims room correction. You cannot go wrong with the Wiim but the M1 has much better SQ, both with and without room correction,
But you don’t need a new amp, you need new speakers.
F500 looks really interesting, definitely want to consider that.
From what I’ve learned here, speakers usually make the biggest difference compared to amp upgrades. Could you share your upgrade journey starting from the PM6004 + A26 to your current setup, and explain what kind of improvement—or lack of improvement—you experienced at each stage? It would really help people like me who are on the same path to understand what to expect.
@DB1989 Could you please explain how this might result in a downgrade in sound quality? I’d like to understand your perspective better.
ajuvignesh
Well-Known Member
Definitely it is. The floorstanding version costs almost twice of the bookshelves if I remember correctly.
I am also considering Polk R200
ajuvignesh
Well-Known Member
That is also good I guess.
Purchase the NEW Audiolab 6000A MkII Integrated Amplifier at a special offer price.
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