New Competition Alert: WiiM Introduces HomePod Duplicate and Anticipated First-to-Market Item
WiiM's latest move in the audio world is sending shockwaves, with their affordable smart speaker, WiiM Sound, taking the stage. This baby looks an awful lot like Apple's HomePod, but looks can be deceiving. WiiM's knack for extensive features and user-friendly experience quickly becomes apparent.
Built on WiiM's proprietary operating system, the WiiM Sound is controlled via the Home app. This nifty gadget offers a plethora of ways to stream music, from Chromecast and Spotify Connect to Tidal Connect and DLNA. Google and Alexa voice control are also on board, making it a true smart speaker.
WiiM Sound isn't a one-trick pony. It can work in a multi-room environment with other WiiM products, create a left/right stereo setup with another Sound, and even integrate into a home cinema system as a surround or centre channel in a Dolby 5.1 setup.
Room correction and EQ customization could prove valuable additions, and a 1.8-inch touchscreen adds a level of control that's been rumored for the next HomePod. Who's leading the race now? We'll find out when we test it out.
Spec-wise, WiiM Sound delivers with a four-inch woofer and dual-balanced mode radiator tweeters. Together, these bad boys crank out 100 watts of "room-filling" audio with hi-res support up to 24-bit/192kHz.
Pricing is the wildcard here. WiiM's success is largely due to their cutthroat pricing, so we're betting the WiiM Sound will undercut the $299 HomePod. The official price will be announced later in the year.
WiiM seems to be expanding their horizons this year, venturing not just into the smart speaker realm, but also the subwoofer market with the Sub Pro. This compact sub boasts a 250-watt Class D design with an eight-inch driver and WiiM's smart audio integrations. Again, pricing details will be revealed later.
Keep an eye out for WiiM's product launches. They've yet to officially announce the release dates and prices for the WiiM Sound smart speaker and the Sub Pro subwoofer. Stay tuned!
- The WiiM Sound, the latest addition to WiiM's audio lineup, is poised to challenge Apple's HomePod with its extensive features and affordability.
- The WiiM Sound speaker is controlled via the Home app and offers various streaming options, including Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, and DLNA, as well as Google and Alexa voice control.
- Beyond being a standalone smart speaker, the WiiM Sound can function in a multi-room setup, create a stereo system with another Sound, and even integrate into a home cinema system.
- Upcoming features for the WiiM Sound include room correction and EQ customization, similar to what's rumored for the next HomePod.
- Featuring a four-inch woofer and dual-balanced mode radiator tweeters, the WiiM Sound promises 100 watts of "room-filling" audio with hi-res support up to 24-bit/192kHz.
- WiiM is reportedly aiming to undercut Apple's HomePod price of $299, but the official pricing for the WiiM Sound will be announced later in the year.
- Expanding its horizons, WiiM is also venturing into the subwoofer market with the Sub Pro, a compact subwoofer featuring a 250-watt Class D design, an eight-inch driver, and WiiM's smart audio integrations.
- The release dates and prices for the WiiM Sound smart speaker and the Sub Pro subwoofer have yet to be officially announced, so keep an eye out for WiiM's product launches.
