WM09 Question

[Dan(NM)]

    I was wondering how many WM09s can be connected to the Manticore? Also, can the ML105s and a WM09 connect at the same time? I sent Minelab a message and am waiting to hear back. Thanks.

[Chase Goldman]

I own both the WM09 and the M105 headphones and there is no apparent way to pair the other device while either device is actively paired to the detector.  Unlike the WM08 for the first gen Equinox detectors which utilized a special wireless multicast protocol that was different than the BT headphones, the WM09, M105, and M85 apparently utilize the same Bluetooth LE chipset that appears to be locked down by Minelab to not pair with other 3rd party Bluetooth LE audio devices and also, apparently, appears to not be utilizing the Bluetooth LE Auracast multicast feature supported by the protocol.  The lack of multicast support appears to be further confirmed by the fact that no multiple wireless audio device paring instructions appear in the Manticore manual unlike the multi-pairing instructions contained in the first gen Equinox manual for the WM08 module.

If you want or need low latency multicast wireless, there is a workaround, but it's not free.  You can purchase a BT LE Auracast compatible wireless transmitter such as the Avantree Voyager or eppfun transmitter that run between $40 to $50 and compatible receivers or headsets to duplicate the WM08 low latency multicast feature of the first gen Equinoxes.  In fact, this setup can be used on any detector with a headphone jack.  HTH

[Dan(NM)]

Thanks Chase, exactly what I needed to know. 

[MdetmodUA]

Hi guys. I couldn't resist and took apart the WM 09 and ML105. My conclusions only:

 

Analysis of the hardware base of the new Minelab accessories (WM09 and ML105) indicates that the company is technically ready to implement full-fledged stereo audio and advanced data transfer functions similar to the XP Deus II ecosystem.

Here are the key conclusions based on the use of the Nordic nRF5340 chip:

1. Technological advantage of the nRF5340 chip

The use of the nRF5340 is a significant step forward compared to previous solutions (based on the nRF52 series), since this chip:

Has two cores (Dual-core): One core is dedicated exclusively to the radio protocol, the other to audio and application processing. This minimizes latency, which is critical for metal detectors.

Supports Bluetooth LE Audio (LC3 codec): This is a standard of the future, which allows high-quality sound (including stereo) to be transmitted with ultra-low power consumption.

Supports Isochronous Channels: A technology that allows sound to be transmitted synchronously to the left and right earphones separately, which is the basis for the "stereo revolution."

2. The answer to the XP "Stereo Revolution"

The XP Deus II uses target separation in the stereo panorama (Full Tones), which allows the operator to aurally identify "trash" or "colored target" by their location in the sound field.

Hardware readiness: Since the ML105 and WM09 are based on the nRF5340, they are physically capable of receiving a stereo signal. 

Software limitation: Currently, the Manticore outputs a mono signal. However, the n5340 architecture allows Minelab to release firmware that unlocks stereo mode (e.g., iron in one ear, color in the other, or spatial positioning of targets in a 2D plane).

The use of a chip of the level of the Nordic nRF5340 in the ML105 headphones and the WM09 module is direct evidence that Minelab was preparing a “stereo response” even at the design stage of the Manticore iron. Putting a top dual-core chip costing several times more than standard solutions for mono sound only is an economic absurdity if you do not have a strategic plan.

 

[UKD2User]

1 hour ago, MdetmodUA said:

Hi guys. I couldn't resist and took apart the WM 09 and ML105. My conclusions only:

 

Analysis of the hardware base of the new Minelab accessories (WM09 and ML105) indicates that the company is technically ready to implement full-fledged stereo audio and advanced data transfer functions similar to the XP Deus II ecosystem.

Here are the key conclusions based on the use of the Nordic nRF5340 chip:

1. Technological advantage of the nRF5340 chip

The use of the nRF5340 is a significant step forward compared to previous solutions (based on the nRF52 series), since this chip:

Has two cores (Dual-core): One core is dedicated exclusively to the radio protocol, the other to audio and application processing. This minimizes latency, which is critical for metal detectors.

Supports Bluetooth LE Audio (LC3 codec): This is a standard of the future, which allows high-quality sound (including stereo) to be transmitted with ultra-low power consumption.

Supports Isochronous Channels: A technology that allows sound to be transmitted synchronously to the left and right earphones separately, which is the basis for the "stereo revolution."

2. The answer to the XP "Stereo Revolution"

The XP Deus II uses target separation in the stereo panorama (Full Tones), which allows the operator to aurally identify "trash" or "colored target" by their location in the sound field.

Hardware readiness: Since the ML105 and WM09 are based on the nRF5340, they are physically capable of receiving a stereo signal. 

Software limitation: Currently, the Manticore outputs a mono signal. However, the n5340 architecture allows Minelab to release firmware that unlocks stereo mode (e.g., iron in one ear, color in the other, or spatial positioning of targets in a 2D plane).

The use of a chip of the level of the Nordic nRF5340 in the ML105 headphones and the WM09 module is direct evidence that Minelab was preparing a “stereo response” even at the design stage of the Manticore iron. Putting a top dual-core chip costing several times more than standard solutions for mono sound only is an economic absurdity if you do not have a strategic plan.

 

Based on their past history, Minelab would be more likely to bring out a new model than do anything other than minimal software updates.  I haven't taken my 105's to bits, or my WM09 for that matter, but I'm assuming that both left and right speakers (or 3.5mm jack pins) are physically/electrically connected to the same piece of copper on the circuit board.  Therefore ML would very likely be faced with the need to issue Mk2 "ST" versions of these devices - the same hardware constraint that XP has had to address. 👍

It's one thing to know what a device spec sheet says and a different one to know how a circuit board has been laid out for a specific implementation.

[GB_Amateur]

8 hours ago, UKD2User said:

I haven't taken my 105's to bits, or my WM09 for that matter, but I'm assuming that both left and right speakers (or 3.5mm jack pins) are physically/electrically connected to the same piece of copper on the circuit board.

Couldn't they sell you a knew listening device (headphones or interface module) to go with the new stereo software?

[UKD2User]

3 hours ago, GB_Amateur said:

Couldn't they sell you a knew listening device (headphones or interface module) to go with the new stereo software?

You prematurely snipped my post - the missing bit that said: "Therefore ML would very likely be faced with the need to issue Mk2 "ST" versions of these devices - the same hardware constraint that XP has had to address. "👍

[Chase Goldman]

Also, the wireless audio chip is the easy part.  XP stereo audio isn't just about transmitting stereo audio target information streams. The key is that XP is harnessing the processing power of their hardware to process simultaneous dual signal paths to generate that dual channel audio.  Once you have that, getting the audio transmitted wirelessly in stereo with low latency is not that heavy a lift.  XP did all of that with an "in house" low latency, wireless audio and data archtecture they have been refining since before 2010. 

Does Minelab have the processing hardware and design chops to execute a similar multiprocessing approach with a Multi-IQ machine? Most definitely.  While ML can likely execute that approach wirelessly built around the Nordic chipset's capabilities, I don't think ML "chose" the Nordic chipset anticipating using it for that purpose. I think they simply bid out the wireless audio portion of the design to a Chinese wireless audio electronics subcontractor and decided to use a BT LE compliant platform because it provided the desired low latency wireless audio desired and to provide resilience against future obsolescence (vs. APTX-LL which was being slowly phased out).  Also, they wanted to be able to "lock it down" to force end users to have to buy into only Minelab-branded compatible wireless audio accessories (ML105, ML85 phones and the WM09 receiver).  I don't think it necessarily signaled ML eventually going into a stereo audio direction.  But at least it can likely support it.

I think ML's GM 2000 might be closer to what XP is doing with enhanced, spatial audio with the Monster's Echo Wave audio feature.  The big head scratcher is why ML made the conscious decision to not provide on board low latency wireless audio as an option. Weird.