Dayton’s WF150A Makes Powered Wireless Audio Amazingly Affordable

Dayton’s WF150A Makes Powered Wireless Audio Amazingly Affordable​

(February 13, 2019) Here we are… AGAIN… with more red-hot Dayton Audio news. This time, Dayton is taking a break from adding to its MK Series of speakers, officially releasing what might be the company’s most intriguing product in recent memory. Meet the WF150A multi-Room Integrated Amplifier, a wireless streaming solution that can turn a pair of passive speakers into wireless performers. There are several products on the market similar to the WF150A (some offering more common integration methods), but Dayton is a clear winner when it comes to price. As of today, this unit is insanely affordable, currently selling on (you guessed it…) Parts Express for $276.90 ($352.89 MSRP).

At its core, the WF150A is a 2 x 75W stereo amplifier (20Hz – 20kHz, 0.1% THD, S/N 88.6 dB) with output that can be attenuated by both bass and treble controls (±6 dB). Size-wise, it’s a slim-line product, featuring a 17" W x 10-1/4" D x 2-5/16" H chassis that allows for room-friendly placement.

Content can be fed to the unit using traditional connection methods: three RCA inputs, an optical input that’s tied to an AK4388 24-bit/192 kHz DAC, and a single Ethernet input for LAN integration. But it also carries both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity for convenient wire-free streaming. Additionally, the use of multiple WF150A units (or other Hi-Fly enabled products) in a single home allows for synchronized multi-room audio, device groupings throughout a home, or multi-user single device playback configurations.

And if added bass is desired, the WF150A provides a single pre-amp output for use with an active subwoofer. You can even tap the convenience of discrete playback using the front-mounted headphone output.

The free Hi-Fly app (Android/iOS) allows for control of the W1F150A (in single or whole-home configurations) right from your phone or favorite portable device. And owners can stream music from favorite services or networked devices, even managing integration other Hi-Fly enabled products. Also, Dayton has supplied quite a few front-mounted controls, including favorites presets, source selection, power, and volume control (and a remote control is included too!).

Take a moment to look at this unit’s price point, because $276 is insanely reasonable for amp/wireless combination product that introduces convenience into your home. Of course, it appears that widely popular streaming options (such as Apple AirPlay2) are missing. But, I look at WF150A and instantly think about outdoor speaker applications and areas of a home where easy to access music playback is desired but funds for gear are limited.

Well played, Dayton.

AV NIRVANA has requested a review sample.

 

[Matthew J Poes]

This thing is really pretty cool. It’s a potent yet inexpensive version of the Sonos or Bluesound devices. While not as refined or robust, it’s a whole lot cheaper. I could see making a really cool multiroom setup out of this. The Hifly app has improved a lot over the years too.

 

[tesseract]

Finally, an all-house/garage decision that doesn't cost a paycheck or three to own. Looking forward to the review!

 

[Todd Anderson]

Perfect for deck speakers... an office... slim line TV system.

I’d be curious to price this vs a refurb marantz slim line on A4L.

 

[Todd Anderson]

So, I did a quick price check on refurb slim-line units. It looks like Marantz and Yamaha slims can be had for about $350-ish (give or take) plus tax and shipping. What that gives you (extra) is access to room correction, onboard services such as TIDAL, etc, voice control, etc.

Dayton certainly is providing some interesting bang for the buck, here. I guess the choice to buy will really be driven by application and what kind of equipment already exists in a home.

 

[Matthew J Poes]

So, I did a quick price check on refurb slim-line units. It looks like Marantz and Yamaha slims can be had for about $350-ish (give or take) plus tax and shipping. What that gives you (extra) is access to room correction, onboard services such as TIDAL, etc, voice control, etc.

Dayton certainly is providing some interesting bang for the buck, here. I guess the choice to buy will really be driven by application and what kind of equipment already exists in a home.

Hey Todd, the Hi-Fly app actually integrates a lot of streaming services much like Heos and Sonos do.

https://www.daytonaudio.com/index.php/hi-fly-multi-room

It’s meant to be a cheaper alternative to those systems.

Assuming the maranta slimline has Heos built in, I think that would be a better quality product with a better amplifier, probably a better dac and overall better parts. It would also cost a multiple more so you get what you pay for. I really think of the Dayton Hi-Fly products as poor mans sonos.