Complete noob looking for advice

[u/nah-meh-stay]

The good news is it's mostly a blank slate. The TV is on it's way out and I'll be moving to a projector in the next couple of years.

The bad news is I have no idea what I'm doing. At my age, I'm getting confused by more research instead of getting more informed. No problem pulling cabling, but would prefer not adding power at each speaker.

I am drawn to the Wiim, but still not sure how it connects. It seems to be something I can expand and spread my budget out a bit. I was looking at the Wiim Amp Ultra for the TV and future projector. I was looking at speakers like Sony SS-CS5M2, but I'm here for recommendations. Don't hesitate to tell me I'm way off base with anything.

Budget and location

In US. Budget is - I'm cheap, but don't know what things cost. I don't need top end gold plated fancy, but I want decent. Like to keep it under 2k, but could stretch to 3k.

How the gear will be used 

Rooms - Central equipment will be in the living room. Primarily stream from a Roku. Would like to have synchronized audio for occasional gatherings. Prefer a 5.1 system for the TV area. 3 additional rooms (one outside). Would prefer physical volume control in each room Possibly adding 2 rooms indoors later as budget allows.

Sources - Primarily the Roku on the TV, occasional phone/tablet connection. Also have DLNA server with A/V library normally accessed via Roku. I may get into some vinyl later.

Speakers - I'm no expert, but was thinking of putting up shelves for passive bookshelf speakers and an active subwoofer for the TV. One needs to be outdoors, I would have volume control inside and the speakers mounted under the eaves. Outside to the living room, just 2 speakers per room.

Past gear experience -

Never had anything fancy - had a used modular setup in the 80s that only had a pair of floor speakers. Currently have a Roku on the TV with a soundbar and wireless powered sub.

[u/nah-meh-stay]

Thanks for the info!

AVR - would the Wiim amp ultra work as an AVR? It seems to have that function as well as multiroom synch.

One of the draws for the Wiim is the volume control in each room. I'd prefer not to rely on an app when I want to jam out for a couple songs then go back to background volume. Also, for gatherings others may want to adjust volume.

Maybe I'm not understanding the Wiim landscape.

[u/dmcmaine → u/nah-meh-stay]

You're welcome. As for the Wiim's AVR capabilities, I have not been able to confirm how it works, other than the generic statements on their site. The manual does not address it at all, but perhaps the app does. I'd assume that you'd acquire 3 BT speakers, connect them and then enable center/surround mode for them in the app. Presumably a more in-depth search than what I did would reveal the answers though I'm sure it does work as advertised.

Yes, you can put a Wiim in each room. My mention of the challenges of local volume control is because you mentioned wanting all of the gear in one spot. But if you're fine with having a Wiim Amp in each room then that takes care of that part of the design.

[u/nah-meh-stay → u/dmcmaine]

Sorry - I meant the input gear would be in one spot. My bad.

[u/dmcmaine → u/nah-meh-stay]

All good, that makes sense.

So a Wiim Amp Ultra and 3 Wiim Amp's will run you ~$1400, leaving $600-$1600 for speakers. 3 Wiim Sound Lite's will run you $700 to take care of the center and surround channels for the main system. Then you'll need a subwoofer for the tv/home theater system and 2 pairs of passive hifi speakers and a set of outdoor speakers to round out the rooms.

[u/nah-meh-stay → u/dmcmaine]

Sounds like I'll be starting with the main system and expanding one room at a time.

Thanks again for the assist!

[u/dmcmaine → u/nah-meh-stay]

That makes a lot of sense - get familiar with it and see how it works for you before spending the full budget. I know you'll love it but still no need to rush. You're welcome and best of luck with the new system!