WiiM tackles home cinema: its first Dolby Atmos soundbar wants to shake Sonos

Initially at the origin of a streaming solution marketed to third-party manufacturers before launching its own network players, WiiM entered the connected speaker market last year with the Sound and Sound Lite models. In an approach comparable to that of Sonos, with the ambition to offer an ecosystem of scalable and complementary products, the American brand is today diversifying into home cinema with its very first soundbar, called WiiM Bar.

A versatile Atoms 3.0.2 model, equipped with 8 speakers

106 cm long, a sufficient size to provide sound for a large television without taking up space in the living room, this model presents itself as a relevant compromise between the different formats of sound bars available on the market.

Despite its relatively general format, the WiiM Bar has no less than 8 speakers responsible for reproducing soundtracks on 3.0.2 channels.

On the front, there are three bass-midrange speakers and three tweeters, accompanied by four passive radiators intended to extend the bass response in order to compensate for the absence of a subwoofer. In addition, there are two upward-firing full-range speakers dedicated to the native reproduction of aerial effects encoded on Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundtracks. The integrated amplification develops a total power of 135 W.

Acoustic calibration and advanced music streaming solution

Proprietary sound optimization technologies are not left out. The bar can in particular automatically adjust its tone according to the acoustics of the room thanks to RoomFit calibration. We can also count on the AI ​​Dialog Enhancement mode, using an algorithm to improve the intelligibility of dialogue in real time. More conventional, the Voice, Cinema, Music and Night presets complete the package in order to adapt the sound reproduction to different types of content.

As WiiM specializes in audio streaming, beyond a Bluetooth 5.4 receiver, the bar naturally integrates a 6E wifi module allowing uncompressed wireless music streaming. If AirPlay 2 is missing, supported protocols include Google Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, and Amazon Music Cast. Added to this is DLNA/UPnP compatibility as well as Roon Ready certification to stream music from a NAS server or the Roon platform.

Scalability up to 5.1.2 with separate WiiM elements

Beyond voice control via external Alexa or Google Home devices, wifi connectivity allows the soundbar to be integrated into a multiroom ecosystem made up of other compatible devices via the WiiM Home application.

This also gives access to streaming services as well as numerous settings. In particular, there is a menu allowing you to add a pair of WiiM Sound speakers as surround back channels and a WiiM Sub Pro subwoofer, in order to extend the configuration up to 5.1.2 channels. The synchronization of the different elements takes place wirelessly, only a few mains sockets are necessary.

Complete, the connectivity includes an HDMI eARC port and an optical input for extensive compatibility with all types of televisions, as well as an Ethernet port. It also includes a USB-A port for a USB stick or hard drive containing audio files, as well as an RCA input for connecting a pre-amplified vinyl turntable, for example. The only real regret: the absence of an HDMI input dedicated to connecting an external source in pass-through.

A large 2.1″ screen for intuitive control at all times

The differentiating element of the WiiM Bar lies in the integration of a 2.1″ Touch Display touch screen, inherited from the WiiM Sound speaker. Its main interest is to display various information (volume, settings, reading content, type of audio stream, etc.) much more readable from the listening position than the majority of minimalist displays generally present on soundbars.

In addition to the WiiM Home application, the WiiM Bar can also be controlled using the Bluetooth remote control provided, without needing to be perfectly placed in front of it.

Available from July 2026 at a price of €499, the WiiM Bar has no reason to be ashamed of the offerings from Sonos, Sony, Samsung or JBL located in the same price range. On the other hand, to afford the complete 5.1.2 configuration and benefit from a significant performance gain, you will theoretically have to pay more than €1,500. All that remains is to hope that the brand or its resellers offer a complete pack at an advantageous price.

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