WiiM Pro Plus vs SONOS Port vs Yamaha WXC-50 Streamer Comparison

The Scientific Audiophile picks apart the top 3 streamers in the market today to determine if one is better than the others.
For more information on WiiM products:
wiimhome.com/
Timeline:
0:00 Introduction
1:45 Quick Look
3:06 WiiM Inputs
3:40 Minimum Preamp Inputs
3:57 WiiM Outputs
4:20 Additional Items
4:35 WiiM Mic
5:00 Trigger - Yamaha
6:35 Trigger - WiiM
7:00 WiiM Software
7:18 WiiM Remote
7:50 Price comparison
8:05 WiiM LED Lights
8:45 Streaming Options
9:50 Best App
11:16 PEQ
12:26 Sound Quality
13:26 Channel Separation
14:03 Infinite Rating
14:30 Conclusion
#audiophile #wiim #yamaha #sonos #streamer #streaming #dac

[@chrislj2890]

I have the Yamaha WXC-50, the WiiM Pro, and the WiiM Mini.The WiiM and Yamaha are perfectly capable of playing Apple Music by simply selecting either streamer from my iPhone or MacBook Air. The big advantage of the Yamaha over the WiiM is that Yamaha has native support for SiriusXM which WiiM does not. I have to use the SiriusXM app and stream to the WiiM via Bluetooth. This stuff can get very confusing when you are using multiple devices through three different apps, lol.

[@gabech2789]

I just received my WiiM pro plus , thank you for sharing your takes 😃

[@chrisstudebaker7548]

I love the angels of Diane Bish staying with her! Your 90 yo mother must be a true audiophile because she ignores the manual. Thank you for your science and delicious infinite rating!

[@granti9546]

Great review! I have a couple of pro pluses and love them. Found your video after seeing a couple of Yamaha wxc-50s on Facebook Marketplace for $200. I wasn't tempted. Thanks for saving me the trouble!

[@scientificaudiophile]

Awesome, thank you!

[@rejean2744]

I have had the WXC-50 for three years. I only use it to stream. (Bifrost DAC to Emotiva Pre )About a year ago I purchased the WiiM Pro. After about four months I went back to the Yamaha. I think I get better performance. (700 hrs. listening) JMO. I only use Spotify for now. (I've tried Tidal, no problem there with the Yamaha)

[@scientificaudiophile]

Well 700 hours of listening will make all the difference vs 600. I think the WXC-50 is better - for now, since I don't use the streaming services it can't stream. Thanks for the comment.

[@larryh9525]

Hi, I also have a Wiim Pro connected to an SMSL-SU1 and noticed that sonically the Wiim isn't quite up to snuff. My solution was to use Audirvana Studio via UPnP to stream Qobuz to the Wiim. This was definitely a step forward sonically.

[@lazarprodanovic8373]

What WiiM needs is more PEQ's and better implementation of it (so far a long time promise only). This alone makes biggest difference to competition and if you are on tight budget in simple stereo setup even four that it has are enough for sloping down highs and dealing most with first three room influenced peeks. No turn off in app is really a let down. Yamaha is old now but from every standpoint quality which is less important when it comes to something which changes and progress as rapid as streamer's. However when it comes to all in one integrated amp's like new R-N line from 800A upwards with YPAO (room correction), self filters and and YPAO dynamic loudness (correction) there really is no competition especially higher tier 1000A (A-S 70x power stages) and 2000A (A-S 1100 power stages). Tho pricing isn't really good especially when compared to previous gen recently discontinued R-N803 (R-N803D) models which are in line with new R-N 1000A. Sonos is a pure garbage for putting in low quality condensers on purpose.

[@carminedesanto6746]

GM ☕️☔️ from Toronto. I run the Wiim Pro ( the original) feeding optically my new Denafrips Ares 12-1 DAC …and it’s pretty decent 😊

[@warrenbailey1473]

Your critical thinking is profound thx

[@asx1248]

Your Mum is so lucky to have Bish with her wherever she goes now.

[@DarenLee]

Hats off to your mum, my mum can’t even handle Bluetooth from phone to active power speaker 🙈. I still love my mom. :)

[@DarenLee]

The WiiM pro plus. Source button (on remote and its unit) does it toggle within the input source? I can’t tell because I am color blind and I hate the led indications.

[@scientificaudiophile]

Does the source button (do you mean preset buttons) toggle the input source? Yes, if its a streaming service. I am unable to set a preset to optical or Line In.

[@JosephTongret]

The Audiophile Sheriff is back! Who will he serve a warrant on next?🤣

[@elijahpalmer6323]

Honestly, how do you keep the orange blazer so fresh? Do you have a bunch of them on rotation in your walk-in closet or do you just buy a new one every time one creases?

[@scientificaudiophile]

I seem to find a lot of homeless people with these blazers. A bottle of Mad Dog 20/20 keeps the rotation fresh.

[@carminedesanto6746]

Well done sir!🍷

[@scientificaudiophile]

Thank you kindly

[@Mizar-XED]

I believe that Denon, Yamaha and Sony still possess an archaic approach to software which leads to a somewhat cumbersome experience. I tried using HEOS and found out I'm better off using Bluetooth or setting up my own Media Servers.

[@robertorodriguez2609]

Is there any kind of bass management from the wiim's sub out?

[@scientificaudiophile]

No sub out on the WiiM. Your sub would have to have line inputs and then line outputs to use - or use the WiiM SPDIF out to another preamp for bass managements.

[@robertorodriguez2609]

@@scientificaudiophile I thought you said it has sub out, must be one of the other streamers, my bad....thanks!

[@scientificaudiophile]

WXC-50 has sub out

[@Roddy451]

algorithm... 5:55 🤣🤣 A very fair review. I am looking for your test, review, and grade on a set of Tekton speakers... (Crickets)

[@scientificaudiophile]

I was actually working with Eric at Tekton prior to seeing the recent developments. I wrote him letting him know I'm no longer interested due to litigation. He wrote back saying he isn't suing anyone. Then he dropped the video explaining his definition of litigation. Weird. I'm not touching Tekton - well maybe @tekton tools, but not the speakers.

[@Roddy451]

@@scientificaudiophile Well, that was quite interesting, and I greatly appreciate you sharing this. I obviously did not know that you were previously in a business relationship with Tekton, so I do apologize. I do feel bad for all the parties involved. I will not add anything else to it. I do not intend to belittle Tekton at all. My support to Gene, Erin, and you will continue. You do have a unique, no-BS, no-apologies style with a wry sense of humor, which is very welcome. 👍 Keep rocking with Diane Bish!... and using Tekton Tools, of course.

[@scientificaudiophile]

@@Roddy451 No, never in a business relationship with Tekton or anybody. I was interested in reviewing his speakers and we were communicating when this stuff happened.

[@middleearthltd]

The Wiim streamers are bang for the buck with good software but the sound quality has been questioned in comparison to other streamers at a higher price point. If you stream Spotify then it is a no-brainer… buy the Wiim I would wait and see what the Wiim Ultra has to offer before spending a dime on any of their products. I believe it is Beta right now. This was an excellent review video in my opinion. Glad to see this channel grow and I like seeing you in the comment chats out there….

[@scientificaudiophile]

I try not to comment on comments in my videos. Very unprofessional.

[@scientificaudiophile]

PS: I love hobbits!

[@middleearthltd]

@@scientificaudiophile I said “out there” I have seen you comment in the chat for other reviewers which I think is cool The comments were positive I miss the reviewer sarcasm era LOL You comments are 10X more impactful than a regular comment 🤔 If that was not you then please know there is your Doppelgänger out there in the KZbin audio review chats

[@realitykicksin8755]

How can you forget USB input on your ideal amp inputs?! tssss.

[@andyj2120]

I tried the Wiim Pro Plus. I wanted to play via wifi from my laptop on Media Player. It worked for a few songs then did not...I have the highest possible fibre speeds and it just sucked...sent it back...also the soundquality was no better from the WiiM Pro Plus than my laptop DAC with a 3.5mm to rca jack directly from the laptop headphone jack.

[@scientificaudiophile]

DACs are getting to the point where only a broken one will sound significantly different. I stopped using my NAS when the hardware failed.

[@user-xg6zz8qs3q]

I have the Bluesound Node. No other streamer has as many inputs/outputs. I even use the subwoofer out. I am disappointed with the competition. The Node is expensive. The app is just okay.

[@scientificaudiophile]

I haven’t heard the Node. Are they part of the Lenbrook group? I’m can’t find contact information on their website.

[@dwdrum11]

So no good with Apple Music then if it’s Bluetooth only, do these not support airplay? That’s how many apple users send music in cd quality to a streamer. Not via Bluetooth. Shame but I’ll avoid looking at these if that’s the case.

[@scientificaudiophile]

No airplay at this time.

[@chrisgray5518]

@@scientificaudiophile Their website says it supports AirPlay 2. Is that not correct? Thank you!

[@scientificaudiophile]

@@chrisgray5518 sorry, I mixed up Apple Airplay with Apple Music. Yes, it supports Airplay.

[@chrisgray5518]

@@scientificaudiophile Perfectly fine my friend! I opted for the Wiim amp tho. Curious if I could use the sub out into a Fosi sub amp, and run that into a pair of 10” 4 ohm car subs. Sounds hillbilly I’m sure, but I want to mount the subs to the inner wall of a shed and kinda turn the whole thing into a speaker box. The Wiim will run outdoor speakers mounted to it, and the bass will just come from the walls. Sort of. The effect works with a powered sub now, sitting on the floor inside.

[@scientificaudiophile]

@@chrisgray5518 Let me know how that works out.

[@kevinusta7534]

Just read that Wiim is dropping an Ultra version streamer with a color display and ARC.

[@scientificaudiophile]

I'm super excited if they can undercut the Eversolo with it!

[@michaelwright1602]

What good is the hardware if the software does not work, or is very buggy? WiiM for the WIN!

[@timharbert7145]

What is this 'Bose' you speak of?

[@lsaideOK]

No love for Bluesound? Has HDMI.

[@scientificaudiophile]

I have not heard the Bluesound yet. It's on sale at Crutchfield, so I'll talk to my Dad.

[@AndiGomez-yu2dx]

@@scientificaudiophileYour dad is gonna go broke soon.

[@archstanton1628]

Any decent streamer needs usb out too, as a minimum.

[@sk9592]

For me, the selling point of the Wiim's usability has nothing to do with me and everything to do with other people in my house and visitors. With the Wiim, I don't need to show others how to use it or get them to install or sign into a particular app. It also doesn't matter if they have an iPhone or Android. They can play multi-zone music via Airplay 2 or Chromecast. Something they are already familiar with. Sonos treats Android users like second class citizens. And Yamaha doesn't have any multi-zone support unless you are logged into the MusicCast app.

[@disienna]

I have one objection to this post: Android users are second class citizens.

[@CurlyHoward928]

Wow. I always knew streaming was a black hole I did not want to be sucked into. Talk about a good way to ruin an evening of listening to music. More wine please.

[@alejandrobusquets6214]

Personally, I like the sound of the Yamaha WXC-50 much better than the WiiM Pro Plus. It seems to me that the difference in price is well worth it in the sound quality. With the Wiim Pro Plus, I almost completely lose the stereo image; for the first time I hear the speakers instead of the full sound in the space. Probably for those who find the application more important than the sound quality, WiiM is a good choice...

[@scientificaudiophile]

Thanks for the input. I didn’t notice loss of soundstage with the WiiM Pro Plus and channel separation was excellent. Not sure what could have caused the issues.

[@jakedavila4468]

Bro, get your mom to get with it!

[@terryforsythe8083]

Drop Apple music, switch to Tidal or Qobuz, and get a WiiM. 😅

[@wahid-lg1kk]

I run Tidal on a small dap, plugged into my dac preamp by USB, which then feeds into an old Luxman class A amp.. Old Wharfdale speakers. No hassles. No huge investments. Amazing sound.

[@wahid-lg1kk]

What do these 33% of people who only stream Spotify, need hifi for? Wouldn't, like, some tin cans and string do just as well?