What is Wiim…and is it a real Sonos rival?

As audio streaming options grew, Wiim emerged as an affordable and easy way to upgrade speakers with multi-room streaming capabilities.

Wiim is said to be an affordable option, “a time when multi-room rivals lost streaming smart.”

If you don’t realize, Sonos lost serious reliability last year, and Wiim is now completely at its peak.

Wiim is a brand born from Linkplay Technology, founded in 2014 by Google, Broadcom, Harman and others, “by a core team of high-caliber technology entrepreneurs.”

Unlike Sonos, Wiim doesn’t have its own multi-room synchronization technology. Instead, it relies on industry standard protocols such as Airplay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal, and Chromecast to achieve multi-room functionality.

However, Wiim’s gapless playback supports up to 24-bit/192 KHz audio quality, and works like a Sonos system as it allows you to create groups of Wiim devices to play the same or different music in different rooms.

However, it is working not only on Wiim brand devices, but also on developing custom audio streaming software and hardware for partners.

Partners such as Audio Pro, which launched two new WIIM-enabled speakers in October 2024. C5 MK II WIIM Edition and A10 MK II WIIM Edition (hereinafter).

These speakers are integrated into the Wiim system as if they were native Wiim devices, indicating a future in which Wiim can steal things like Sonos and become the backbone of the brand’s agnostic multi-room speaker setup.

So, whether you’re trying to breathe new life into your old speakers or add multi-room streaming to your home setup, Wiim products can also provide a solution for audiophiles and casual listeners.

Read to find out more.

What exactly is Wiim?

The focus of Wiim is to make high-resolution audio streaming easier to access and integrate. Overall, the device is designed to connect to existing speakers, stereo systems, or AV receivers, allowing Wi-Fi and Bluetooth streaming from a variety of services.

Currently, there are seven different Wiim devices available to buy, ranging from the bottom-end Wiim Mini to an Echodot Sequence device designed to connect to existing systems using auxiliary cables to the AMP Pro ($379) at the top of the tree.

The high-end duo features multiple input and output options, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, bit-perfect output, up to 192 kHz, 24-bit with digital optical or coaxial output, and Sonos Amp with numerous streaming options.

There are also CI models aimed at the professional installer market, such as the Wiim CI Mod A80 and the Wiim CI Mod S, which were revealed in September 2024.

How does it work?

Throughout the range, WIIM supports high-quality formats such as 24-bit/192kHz audio and works with a large number of codecs (including MP3, AAC, ALAC, APE, FLAC, WAV, WMA, OGG).

Unlike Sonos, Denon and Bluesound, Wiim doesn’t actually create speakers. Add modern multi-room audio smart, focusing on streaming devices that connect to speakers.

The exception to this rule are sound machines that incorporate WIIM wake up lights, an all-in-one Sunrise alarm clock, bedside reading lights and Alexa.

Let’s get started with Wiim

Setting up a WIIM device is easy. To configure your device, you will need the Wiim Home app, available on both iOS and Android.

This app guides your Wiim device by connecting it to your home Wi-Fi network and linking streaming services.

This app also allows you to customize your sound settings, integrate with your smart home setup, and manage multi-room playback if you have multiple Wiim units.

Streaming options and audio quality

Wiim Devices supports impressive streaming services, including major platforms such as Spotify, Amazon Music, and Deezer, as well as niche platforms such as Qobuz and Tidal, which offer high-quality audio options.

In terms of protocols, almost all major platforms are offered, including AirPlay 2, Google Cast Audio, DLNA, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Amazon Alexa Multiroom, QPlay 2.0, and Roon.

For those who want to maintain music integrity, Wiim Devices supports lossless streaming and high-resolution formats.

Wiim vs Sonos and the rest

The Wiim is located in a unique space, balancing affordable prices with high quality audio features. It is usually reserved for more expensive devices.

Compared to brands like Sonos and Bluesound, which offer integrated speakers, Wiim focuses on upgrading existing setups.

This approach raises your feet for people with legacy systems that require modern, streaming-enabled refreshes without compromising sound quality and removing existing, often expensive speakers and HI-FI setups.

Wiim is also affiliated with brands such as Audio Pro, allowing the platform to also use to expand existing setups into multi-room systems with multiple branded speakers all harmoniously.

WIIM devices compared