WiiM Pro Plus Review: Sleek Design Meets Powerful Sound

Experience the compelling blend of sleek design and powerful sound in the WiiM Pro Plus, a standout music streamer that offers smart audio streaming features at an affordable price.

Introducing the WiiM Pro Plus: A Smart Music Streamer That Packs a Punch

When it comes to streaming music at home, the WiiM Pro Plus music streamer emerges as a curious middle ground in Linkplay’s growing line of WiiM streamers. Nestled between the original Pro and the soon-to-arrive Ultra, the Pro Plus is designed to either upgrade older audio setups with smart streaming features or enhance those systems that are a little behind on the tech front.

While the name "WiiM" might sound a bit quirky, the device itself is far from a novelty. Priced modestly, the Pro Plus dares to deliver quality without breaking the bank. If it can outperform its modest price tag by even a smidge, the awkwardness of saying "WiiM" might be the only compromise.

Price Snapshot: Affordable Sound Streaming

The WiiM Pro Plus music streamer launched at roughly $210 USD—a price that sets it apart as a bargain in the world of hi-fi streamers.

To put that in perspective, before testing the Pro Plus during summer 2023, I had been quite impressed by the Cambridge Audio MXN10 music streamer, a compact and affordable streamer I dubbed "fantastically budget-friendly." At the time, it was the cheapest decent streamer I'd encountered since the likes of Bluesound Node music streamer and Audiolab 6000N Play music streamer. Now, at less than half that price, the WiiM Pro Plus offers a tempting alternative—if it lives up to expectations.

Design & Build: Compact and Practical

The WiiM Pro Plus is less about flashy innovation and more about solid construction. Measuring just 42 x 140 x 140 mm and weighing about 400 grams—roughly the heft of a paperback or a box of chocolates—it’s a neat addition that won’t clutter your shelves.

Its plastic chassis doesn’t scream luxury, but the build quality is tidy. There are no sharp edges or visible seams, which is a small but important detail for a device that will likely sit within arm’s reach.

Accompanying the unit is a tiny, no-frills remote focused purely on functionality rather than glamour.

But where the Pro Plus truly shines is in its WiiM Home app, available for iOS and Android. It’s refreshingly intuitive, stable, and surpasses what you might expect from a device in this price bracket—outclassing even some pricier competitors’ apps. Plus, with Amazon Alexa voice control built in and a dedicated mic button on the remote, you can navigate your music hands-free.

Technical Specifications at a Glance

• Sources: AirPlay 2, Bluetooth 5.1, Google Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz, Deezer, Amazon Music, Pandora, TuneIn internet radio
• Network: Wi-Fi, Ethernet
• Inputs: Stereo RCA line-in, digital optical
• Outputs: Stereo RCA line-out, digital optical, digital coaxial
• Headphone Output: None
• Max File Resolution: 24-bit/192kHz
• Dimensions (HxWxD): 42 x 140 x 140 mm
• Weight: 400 g

The front panel hosts a set of capacitive touch controls for play/pause, volume, Bluetooth pairing, and preset selection—about ten touch spots in total—making physical control simple and crisp.

On the back, you'll find a practical lineup of ports: USB-C for power, Ethernet, optical digital input and output, coaxial digital output, and stereo RCA input and output. However, be warned—the RCA jacks sit quite close together and are recessed, so thick analog cables might be a tight squeeze. Thankfully, WiiM includes a more standard set of RCA connectors with the Pro Plus.

Connectivity & Streaming Features: Wireless and Wired Versatility

The wireless chops of the WiiM Pro Plus are impressive. Dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.1 support SBC and AAC codecs, alongside built-in Chromecast and Apple AirPlay 2. The accompanying app integrates seamlessly with Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz, Deezer, Amazon Music, Pandora, TuneIn, and various other streaming services. The ability to access music stored on your home network using DLNA compatibility rounds out a versatile package.

Inside, the star player is the AKM 4493SEQ digital-to-analog converter (DAC)—a powerhouse chip that gives the Pro Plus a significant edge over its simpler Pro sibling. It handles a wide range of digital audio types and resolutions up to 24-bit/192kHz with ease.

There’s also a Burr-Brown PCM1861 analog-to-digital converter, which lets you stream analog sources wirelessly to other WiiM devices around your house. This feature is a savvy way to build a multi-room audio setup without breaking the bank on pricey competitors.

Sound Quality: Crisp, Detailed, and Dynamic

The WiiM Pro Plus thrives when playing rich, high-resolution audio files, but what’s pleasantly surprising is its adaptability to less-than-perfect sources. Whether working with a compressed track or a sparing audio file, it delivers a clean, detailed, and dynamic listening experience.

Take, for example, the 24-bit/96kHz track “Grapevine” by Weyes Blood loaded from my network storage. The Pro Plus deftly reveals its strengths here—crafting a large, well-defined soundstage that lets each musician’s contribution shine. Despite the impressive scale, nothing feels distant; every element blends harmoniously.

The midrange is especially vibrant, with vocals rich in character and emotion. The system responds sensitively to subtle dynamic shifts, making vocal performances sound both natural and convincing.

Switching gears to a more straightforward 16-bit/44.1kHz track like “Drugs And Poison” by The Upsetters, the Pro Plus continues to impress. It’s not a powerhouse in the bass department—think nimble whippet rather than bulky bulldog—but the low end it produces is tight, detailed, and rhythmically strong. The overall tonal balance leans slightly cool but remains smooth and well-integrated, without any dips or exaggerated peaks.

Using the WiiM Pro Plus as a preamp with its volume control or as a link with other WiiM gear keeps your music’s essence intact. For instance, connecting a vinyl record player with a phono preamp to the analog input and then feeding that to a power amp lets the Pro Plus handle volume without altering the original sound character.

Yes, converting analog to digital, streaming wirelessly, and back to analog affects some detail and low-frequency precision, but it’s a small price for the convenience of enjoying vinyl throughout the home with just one turntable.

Final Verdict: A Stellar Entry Point for Wireless Streaming

For anyone dipping their toes into the world of diverse and feature-rich music streaming, the WiiM Pro Plus is tough to beat for the price. It sounds confident and high-quality, features a surprisingly well-executed control app, and can serve as a solid foundation for a multi-room audio system.

If you want something fancier, prepare to open your wallet a lot wider.

Scores:

• Sound: 5/5
• Build: 4/5
• Features: 5/5

"The WiiM Pro Plus delivers a large, well-defined soundstage, with every element blending harmoniously."

FAQ

• What streaming services does the WiiM Pro Plus support?
  It supports popular platforms like Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz, Deezer, Amazon Music, Pandora, TuneIn, and many others through its app.
• Can the WiiM Pro Plus handle high-resolution audio?
  Absolutely, it supports digital files up to 24-bit/192 kHz resolution, providing excellent sound quality.
• Is there a headphone output on the WiiM Pro Plus?
  No, the device does not include a headphone jack.
• Does the WiiM Pro Plus support multi-room audio?
  Yes, it can stream audio wirelessly to other compatible WiiM devices, making it suitable for multi-room setups.
• Can I control the Pro Plus with voice commands?
  Yes, it supports Amazon Alexa voice control with a dedicated microphone button on the remote.

Explore the rich sound and smart design of the WiiM Pro Plus and bring your favorite music to life. For those who love album art as much as the tunes, shop your favorite album cover posters at our store here — a perfect way to complement your listening experience with visual flair.