For wi-fi streamers--a discovery to increase wi-fi strength


It was previously reported in a thread here that putting a piece of aluminum foil  behind a router can increase wi-fi signal strength, and I verified this with the Bluesound app for my Bluesound Node streamer.

Today, because I was having some internet speed problems, I experimented with the orientation of the base router of my mesh network, and found this made a significant difference in the wi-fi signal strength, going from "Good" to "Excellent."

Then for the first time I added a piece of aluminum foil behind the extension router unit nearest my streamer, and that further improved the wi-fi signal strength from -48 dBm to -43 dBm, the best reading I've ever gotten with this mesh network.

Given that an "Excellent" reading is considered by Bluesound to be necessary for streaming hi-res files, this is an important consideration for those doing wi-fi streaming.  And perhaps some members who have been disappointed with wi-fi streaming didn't have adequate wi-fi signal strength.  I suspect the audible differences (at least with the Node streamer) lie in problems with dropouts and buffering rather than sound quality, but I'm not certain of that or whether that would be the case for all streamers.

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Many years ago I dived into "network playing" (streaming) with a Bluesound Node. I quickly abandoned wifi as soix’s solution (mesh router) was an incomparably better connection. When I moved the Node outside I grabbed another mesh node on eBay for it. Out in the shed the Bluesound could hardly connect via wifi, much worse than my $100 phone.

Try a tin foil hat.

As I mentioned in the original thread, a free Wifi analyzer for your PC or phone can really help you here.  Not only do you need a strong signal, you want to move your router to unused channels to prevent Wifi congestion from your neighbors.

@erik_squires  I have not found a wifi analyzer that actually works.  Do you have a link or name?   Thanks!

@tbick  They all do!  Just need to know how to use them correctly.  I have them for PC, Mac and Android.

They have multiple views, some of which try to recommend channels, but I don't find that very helpful.  What you want is the channel / signal strength charts which look like a bunch of overlapping hills. 

That will show you the relative strength of your router plus all the other signals competing for the same channel.

The screenshots on this Android app will show you what to look for.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.farproc.wifi.analyzer

@soix 

Thanks for the recommendation of the ethernet cable.  I can move my mesh extender and use a shorter ethernet cable I already have to see if it makes any difference.  I'm skeptical that it will, although I think even a Bluesound tech support person said it could, and there seems to be a consensus on Audiogon that hardwired is better.  So I will experiment with the cable I have, and maybe order the one you recommended, since I presumably could return it if it's not helpful.