Mesh network versus a simple Wi-Fi extender


In anyone’s experience, does implementing a pricier Mesh network yield any sonic advantages to just using a good Wi-Fi extender and running a good Ethernet cable from that?  From people who have very good streamer setups it seems like using a simple but good Wi-Fi extender from TP-Link etc. is more than fine.  Thoughts?

soix

I have heard recommendations against a mesh network for audio, as if the connection switches from one node to another, there could be dropouts.

I’ve got a mesh setup and the connections are stable, i.e. no roaming unless the signal drops below a certain threshold.

 

This PC Mag article explains the differences - Wi-Fi Range Extender vs. Mesh Network: What’s the Difference?

You almost never move your streamer through your home while playing music, so I don't think switching would be a real problem.  I do believe in keeping things simple though.  Mesh is great for large homes with lots of square feet to cover, including when you are looking for coverage say at the pool and the garage, that sort of thing.

Read the reviews on any extenders carefully too though, as I've had really mixed experiences far worse than audio quality.

You are doing yourself a disservice if you don't find a way to go hardwired to your streamer.  

Me and my neighbor both have ~2500 square feet homes.  We both tried extenders.  He was not  having problems with audio but his PCs dropping off.  I was having audio drop outs.   Both our experiences with extenders sucked.  He went to a mesh network and solved his PC dropouts. I followed suit.   My audio now is for the most part solid 😎.  Having a mesh node sitting near my main rig and hard wiring my streaming server to that solved my stability problems and I did not experience any degradation in SQ.   Note:  My HT, and about half the other devices in the house are hard wired to the base node or the router/modem.  

The mesh pods work much better in our house than the old extenders, which were really hit and miss.  So many drop outs.