Definition: WiSA

(WIreless Speaker and Audio) A wireless audio standard from the WiSA Association, Sunnyvale, CA. WiSA is used to transmit multichannel, high-definition audio wirelessly between A/V components. Debuting in 2011 and pronounced "why-suh," WiSA supports up to eight channels of uncompressed digital audio at 96 kHz, 24-bit resolution (see 96/24).

The speakers must be identified for the WiSA transmitting device, such as a TV, Blu-ray player or stand-alone WiSA transmitter (see image below). This can be done manually on a TV or tablet, or automatically with speakers that ultrasonically "ping" each other to detect locations and channel assignments.

Adjust the Sweet Spot for Better Listening
When listening to a WiSA-compliant home theater, users can identify their current location in the room, and the system adjusts speaker delay and volume to make their seat the sweet spot for listening.

The Unlicensed U-NII Band
Transmitting in the unlicensed U-NII 5 GHz band, WiSA uses dynamic frequency selection (DFS) to change channels when interference is detected. WiSA transmitters are always looking ahead for another channel to switch to if necessary (see U-NII). See high-resolution audio.

A WiSA-Based Speaker System

In 2012, the Aperion Intimus 4T Summit speakers were the first to use WiSA. The Aperion transmitter (top) has HDMI inputs for video sources and HDMI-out for the TV. (Image courtesy of Aperion Audio.)

The Wireless Home Theater

Introduced in 2014, Sharp's SD-WH1000U Blu-ray player offered the total wireless solution with WiSA wireless for audio and WiHD wireless for video. If speakers are not WiSA compliant, Sharp's Wireless Bridge turns any amplified speaker into a WiSA receiver. (Images courtesy of Sharp Electronics Corporation.)