Mesh network versus a simple Wi-Fi extender

@jetter I’m not experiencing dropouts. In a perfect world I’d like to run an Ethernet cable from my router to my streamer, but that’s just not doable so I’ve heard people say running an Ethernet cable from an extender sounds much better than just using Wi-Fi. I was just curious if, assuming both have a sufficiently strong signal, a Mesh system has sonic advantages over an extender. Thus far it seems more of a signal strength/distance thing more than sonic differences, but…

A Wi-Fi extender will cut your speed in half. A mesh system satellite has a separate backhaul channel so it runs at full speed.

@grover30 This is the first I’ve heard about an extender possibly cutting speed in half. If I’ve got 1-gig service it seems I’d still have plenty of speed left to successfully stream music (assuming other family members aren’t simultaneously streaming movies I guess). Or does the slower speed affect performance regardless? Thanks for your interesting thoughts.

Ethernet cabling within sane distances is simple, cheap, reliable, and doesn’t suffer performance (speed) degradation. If you can physically do it.

With WIFI reliability and speed can be tricky, and it’s not as cheap (although not nearly as expensive as most of our hifi gear).

If you have 1Gig service to your home, you only need a very small fraction of that to stream audio. As a point of fact, I also have a 1Gig connection to my home, and use a wireless access point and an extender to my detached garage, where I have a very reliable connection and can stream hi-res audio, and 4k video simultaneously, as well as serving 3 desktop computers with ample speed.

Whether extenders or a mesh, the trick is to get a reliable strong wifi connection (this can be admittedly tricky). Given a sufficiently performant and reliable WIFI connection, I can see no disadvantage sonically.

Some would even argue that WIFI isolates you from electronic noise that might transit into your system via a wired connection. I’m not convinced that this is a real concern, or is just audiophile OCD.

When I upgraded my system after moving.  I ditched the mesh network only and installed an Amplifi HD system (also mesh) fed by an Arris SB8200 high speed modem.  But, I ran 50' of quality ethernet cable from my Amplifi HD box to another of the same caliber in my Audio closet.  I hardwire my three ethernet capable boxes, and use the Amplifi nodes for extending the network to my shop, and outside.  Also enabling Wi-Fi with my streamer and receivers, this all works a treat.  Critical streaming hard wired, guests and background wireless.  You could grow into this kind of system incrementally.  I do think the hardwire provides a narrow margin of improvement over the Wi-Fi.  As usual YMMV

@soix 

As I had to resort to using a Powerline extender for the purpose of having a network connection direct to my server I did ran a Speedtest just after reading your last post. Please bear in mind that I don’t have the best service in the area I live in- I believe it’s advertised at 250 Mbps.

When sitting 25 feet from the router- no walls to go through the test rang out at 92 Mbps up and 25 down.

Sitting in the same place but changing to the Powerline extenders Wi-Fi (1 floor down- 6 walls to go through) reads 30 Mbps up and 5 down.

If I go to the room where the extender is installed I get 30 Mbps up and 9 down.

That’s more than enough to stream music/video with and gives me a direct connection between extender/server. I’m sure almost anyone has better internet service than I do! Up until 2 years ago our service was advertised at 7Mbps!

Sorry- the last numbers were reversed for the room with the extender. Should read 30 Mbps download and 9 up. Router is Amplifi Alien with Netgear Powerline.