WiiM Bar Review: t3.com Calls It a Powerful Step Into Spatial Audio

WiiM Bar Launches at £449 in the UK and $479 in the States

WiiM has entered the spatial audio soundbar market with its first hardware release in this category, priced at £449 in the United Kingdom, $479 in the United States, and AU$769 in Australia, according to a review published by t3.com. The company built its reputation on compact and affordable digital audio streaming gear, and the new hardware aims to challenge established competitors like Sonos while operating within a distinct price bracket.

The Tech TL;DR:

• Hardware Configuration: Features 3.0.2-channel spatial audio driven by three racetrack mid/bass drivers, three tweeters, two angled full-range height drivers, and four passive radiators powered by 135 watts of Class D amplification.
• Connectivity & Codecs: Equipped with HDMI eARC, Ethernet, USB, optical, 3.5mm inputs, plus Bluetooth 5.4 supporting SBC, AAC, and LC3 alongside triple-band Wi-Fi 6, though AirPlay compatibility is absent.
• Control & Integration: Operated via touch surfaces, an aluminium remote, a 53mm circular display, or the control app, which offers access to EQ settings and favourites.

Acoustic Architecture and 135 Watts of Class D Amplification

The WiiM Bar relies on a physical and digital signal processing array to generate its 3.0.2-channel spatial audio impression. Across its front surface, three 110 x 52mm racetrack mid/bass drivers and three 52mm tweeters manage left, right, and centre channels. Two additional 52mm full-range drivers sit near the ends of the top chassis behind perforated sections, angled upward to project height information into the soundstage. Low-frequency presence is managed by four 110 x 50mm passive radiators—two facing forward and two facing backward—while all eight powered drivers draw from a total of 135 watts of Class D amplification.

Physical inputs are housed in a rear recess, containing an Ethernet port, HDMI eARC, a USB slot, a 3.5mm analogue input, and a digital optical socket. Wireless protocols include Bluetooth 5.4 with SBC, AAC, and LC3 codec support, alongside triple-band Wi-Fi 6. This configuration enables streaming service integration, Google Cast, and internet radio, though t3.com noted the omission of AirPlay compatibility.

curl -X GET "http://wiim-bar-local-ip/api/v1/player" 
     -H "Accept: application/json"

Audio Performance Benchmarks Across Music and Spatial Tracks

When processing Dolby Atmos soundtracks from major streaming services, t3.com reported that the WiiM Bar delivers punchy, dynamic, and powerful audio. The lower frequencies provide a solid, weighty foundation, though bass details exhibit less variation than the midrange and treble registers. Dialogue projects clearly within a dedicated spatial pocket, and the substantial treble presence avoids harshness during heavy volume shifts. Despite its 135-watt power rating, the hardware maintains dynamic headroom without sounding strained.

For music playback in standard stereo, the soundbar allows users to route audio through just two tweeters and two mid/bass drivers rather than forcing all drivers to fire simultaneously. However, when handling spatial audio music mixes or movie tracks, t3.com observed that the bar struggles to project sound much higher than the top of the television screen, even when applying the maximum 12dB boost to the height channels inside the control application.

Design Footprint and the WiiM Home App Ecosystem

Measuring 74 x 1060 x 105mm (HxWxD), the matte-finished chassis fits alongside smaller displays such as a 48-inch television. Users can control the device via four top-mounted touch surfaces, a 53mm circular interactive top display, an aluminium remote handset with Amazon Alexa voice integration, or the WiiM Home app for iOS and Android. The app supports multi-room grouping with other WiiM hardware, detailed graphic and parametric EQ interfaces, and a room correction calibration tool that utilizes a smartphone microphone.