Does network speed make difference to music quality?

[admin_exported]

Hi folks

I need get a wireless system set up in my place so I can start streaming to Airport Express. Can anyone say if there is a difference in music quality if I go for a "n" network or a "g" network? I think the the g is around 50Mbps whereas n is 100 Mbps.

Cheers, Andrew

 

[Anonymous]

Either will be fine streaming music. Plenty fast enough.

 

[Anonymous]

I currently have a NETGEAR "g" router which I've been streaming to a Airport Express about 15 metres and 3 brick walls away. The sound is okay in generall but a bit fluffy. It also drops out all the time. I just bought a Netgear "n" router to see if it would improve things. Its a DGN2000 which I'm gonna take back cos it very inreliable. But when it does work the sound quality seems more precise.

I wasn't sure if this was due to the increased speed or range.

Any thoughts? Andrew

 

[Anonymous]

im not andrew but dropouts usually a signal strength issue you might need a wifi booster maplins have them

try moving the ae closer to the routezr first just to be sure

 

[Anonymous]

Hi

gonna get a high gain antenae for £10 to start with. See what happens.

Next step after that might be to get a Linksys "g" repeater for £50.

If the antenae doesn't work I might consider getting a decent "n" router like Airport Extreme £120. Have heard decent reviews about it.

I dunno if its worth investing in the "g" repeater as its an old standard. might be better to be forward thinking and go for "n"

Anyone want to pitch in?

Andrew

 

[idc]

Hi Andrew. The SQ and the drop out/reliability issues are different IMO.

Drop out is a technical issue which will be solved by repairing, if possible your router or getting a new one or changing where the router is positioned etc.

SQ is the issue of now much does the PC, router, USB etc affect the sound, or is it all just transferring 1s and 0s that has no affect on sound. So it is interesting that you say there is a SQ difference between the routers.

When you get your new n router can you do a comparison test to confirm that you do hear an SQ difference. If so, please post back for more forum debate.

 

[PJPro]

Use a wired network (like I do) and all of the issues will go away.

 

[Anonymous]

I'd love to have a wired network but I don't thing my dad will be too happy cable being strung along walls or chased in!

I'm not gonna get a replacement NETGEAR DGN2000 cos I've found out on the net that several other have had issues with it. If a new antennae doesn't work I think I'll go for a Airport Extreme "N". Its supposed to be reliable and has a good range.

Am I right in thinking that if I get a N router but the cards on my PCs laptop are G will I will not get the range benefits cos the system will operate as G?

Cheers, Andrew

 

[Anonymous]

idc:
Hi Andrew. The SQ and the drop out/reliability issues are different IMO.

Drop out is a technical issue which will be solved by repairing, if possible your router or getting a new one or changing where the router is positioned etc.

SQ is the issue of now much does the PC, router, USB etc affect the sound, or is it all just transferring 1s and 0s that has no affect on sound. So it is interesting that you say there is a SQ difference between the routers.

When you get your new n router can you do a comparison test to confirm that you do hear an SQ difference. If so, please post back for more forum debate.

weak signal makes the sound blurred like artefacts on your tv the router and pc dont change the sound at all dont know how these ideas get in your head next thing youll say itys the network protocol

 

[Anonymous]

the sound is blurred when the G router is used. The N router definately makes the sound clearer - this is why I'm thinking that an upgrade to a decent N router will pay dividends.

 

[manicm]

PJPro:Use a wired network (like I do) and all of the issues will go away.

Linn love people like you

 

[Anonymous]

just been looking at a powerline system. Uses your existing electrical ring mains as a kind of ethernet. Some of the kit for sale through amazon get 5 stars from 63 users!

Might give it a go as range is my priority.

 

[professorhat]

fobos8:just been looking at a powerline system. Uses your existing electrical ring mains as a kind of ethernet. Some of the kit for sale through amazon get 5 stars from 63 users!

I've heard nothing but bad personally, but if it's cheap, give it a go and see what you think.

 

[Anonymous]

have decided to take PJPro's advice and put in a wired link to other end of house.

Had a moment of clarity and found a great route outside under the decking. Gonna check with the old man first though. Should be any visible cables.

Cheers, Andrew

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Andrew,

Just thought I'd chip in on the powerline option. Although not the kind of thing we review here, I've recently been using a Devolo dLAN setup at home and have been very impressed indeed with how easy setup was and how good the connection is. I get a regular 63Mbps and have not had a drop-out yet. I'm actually going to upgrade to the 200Mbps version for HD video, but for music the standard 85Mbps should be fine.

I think the success or otherwise of one of these depends on how complicated your home's wiring is, but for me (brand new apartment) it's been excellent. Obviously I'd go for a 'proper' wired connection if possible, but if your 'old man' objects, a dLAN setup is certainly worth a go in my opinion.

 

[Gerrardasnails]

fobos8:
the sound is blurred when the G router is used. The N router definately makes the sound clearer - this is why I'm thinking that an upgrade to a decent N router will pay dividends.

I'm sorry but the speed of your network (as long as it's fast enough) will not make a difference to the sound! I had a G Netgear router and now have an N Linksys one. The only difference is the speed I get when scrolling through my media center - the N is much faster. Just think if you have a lossless file of say 50mb for one song and your network is streaming at 54mbps, the whole song will stream in under 1 second, so every second of the song will stream perfectly in real time - by doubling the speed, it won't make the sound any better.

 

[Anonymous]

Gerrardasnails:fobos8:
the sound is blurred when the G router is used. The N router definately makes the sound clearer - this is why I'm thinking that an upgrade to a decent N router will pay dividends.

I'm sorry but the speed of your network (as long as it's fast enough) will not make a difference to the sound! I had a G Netgear router and now have an N Linksys one. The only difference is the speed I get when scrolling through my media center - the N is much faster. Just think if you have a lossless file of say 50mb for one song and your network is streaming at 54mbps, the whole song will stream in under 1 second, so every second of the song will stream perfectly in real time - by doubling the speed, it won't make the sound any better.

A 50MB file will take 8 seconds over a 50Mbit connection,and thats if it were to run at theoretical maximum. Still though, your point remains that its plenty fast enough, as long as there is a pretty good signal.

 

[The_Lhc]

Ahem...

Gerrardasnails: Just think if you have a lossless file of say 50mb for one song

50MBytes.

and your network is streaming at 54mbps,

54Mbits/s.

If your byte is 16 bits then it'll be more like 16 seconds to stream the file (assuming theoretical maximum throughput).

In every other aspect you're absolutely correct, just not that one.

 

[Gerrardasnails]

the_lhc:
Ahem...

Gerrardasnails: Just think if you have a lossless file of say 50mb for one song

50MBytes.

and your network is streaming at 54mbps,

54Mbits/s.

If your byte is 16 bits then it'll be more like 16 seconds to stream the file (assuming theoretical maximum throughput).

In every other aspect you're absolutely correct, just not that one.

Thanks guys - my physics is poor!

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Tom

Can i use Airport Express with a Devolo set-up

Paul

 

[fido87456]

the_lhc:
If your byte is 16 bits then it'll be more like 16 seconds to stream the file (assuming theoretical maximum throughput).

In every other aspect you're absolutely correct, just not that one.

Ahem... I believe a byte is always 8 bits

(Well on 8086 architecture anyway)

 

[hammill]

fido87456:the_lhc:

If your byte is 16 bits then it'll be more like 16 seconds to stream the file (assuming theoretical maximum throughput).

In every other aspect you're absolutely correct, just not that one.

Ahem... I believe a byte is always 8 bits

(Well on 8086 architecture anyway)

These days byte does indeed refer to 8 bits, but that was not always the case. The DEC PDP-10 used a 7 bit byte for example.

 

[fido87456]

To answer the original question, your wireless speed won't make any difference to the sound you get. The signal strength will make a difference though. If you have a poor signal strength you will experience stuttering and dropouts in the sound (shouldn't be anything more subtle than that). The advantage from an Audio point of view of getting an 'N' type wireless over a 'G' type wireless is that the 'N' wireless routers are newer technology and people report that when using them it improves the signal strength for all wireless types, so has a better chance of enabling an uninterrupted audio stream.

I have a Squeezebox 3, and the wireless strength from my router (G type) is pretty poor in my front room, so I was getting occasional dropouts listening to FLAC files. My solution was to use Homeplugs. I have an 85Mb Homeplug next to my router and a Wireless Homeplug in my front room. (both bought from solwise).

 

[kena]

hammill:fido87456:the_lhc:

If your byte is 16 bits then it'll be more like 16 seconds to stream the file (assuming theoretical maximum throughput).

In every other aspect you're absolutely correct, just not that one.

Ahem... I believe a byte is always 8 bits

(Well on 8086 architecture anyway)

These days byte does indeed refer to 8 bits, but that was not always the case. The DEC PDP-10 used a 7 bit byte for example.

Or nine if you include parity bit.