Podcast #1080: WiFi 6 and Amplifiers don't have to Break the Bank

This week we find out what makes wifi 6 something you'll want to upgrade to, especially if you have a lot of IoT devices on your network. We also start a discussion on amplifiers. Do you need to spend thousands of dollars to get a quality amp? We also read your emails and talk about some of the week's news.

News:

• DIRECTV STREAM Price Changes for 2023
• Apple bows out of Sunday Ticket talks, leaving Amazon and Google as the finalists
• Sonos filing hints that its next speakers will support WiFi 6
• Matter Support Arrives on 17 Amazon Echo Devices

Other:

• Kasa Smart Plug
• Ara's Woodworking
• Join the Flaviar Whisky Club and get a free bottle

Wifi 6

We've talked about wifi 6 for some time now and have said it's better. But exactly how is it better than previous wifi standards. Today we'll go through the main features and how it can help solve some of your wifi woes.

Key benefits of Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 6 technology include:

Higher data rates - 9.6 Gbps. That's up from 3.5 Gbps on Wi-Fi 5 (theoretical maximums). Orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) effectively shares channels to increase network efficiency and lower latency for both uplink and downlink traffic in high demand environments

Increased capacity - Multi-user multiple input, multiple output (multi-user MIMO) allows more data to be transferred at one time, enabling access points (APs) to concurrently handle more devices. The MIMO technology allows a router to communicate with multiple devices at the same time, rather than broadcasting to one device, and then the next, and the next. Right now, MU-MIMO allows routers to communicate with four devices at a time. Wi-Fi 6 will allow devices to communicate with up to eight.

Improved power efficiency - Target wake time (TWT) significantly improves network efficiency and device battery life, including IoT devices. This allows devices to plan out communications with a router, reducing the amount of time they need to keep their antennas powered on to transmit and search for signals. That means less drain on batteries and improved battery life in turn. This feature is meant more for smaller, already low-power Wi-Fi devices that just need to update their status every now and then. (Think small sensors placed around a home to monitor things like leaks or smart home devices that sit unused most of the day.)

Routers are on the market and range in price from about $100 for a basic setup to as high as $600 for Netgear Orbi whole house setup. A Linksys setup to cover a 3000 SF house will cost you about $300.

Amplifiers

XPA-7 Gen3 7 Channel Audiophile Home Theater Power Amplifier $2199

Audio

Power output: 200 watts/channel RMS into 8 Ohms; all channels driven | 300 watts/channel RMS into 8 Ohms; two channels driven | 490 watts/channel RMS into 4 Ohms; two channels driven

Audiophile quality Class A/B output stage.

Balanced and unbalanced inputs for compatibility with a wide variety of preamps and surround sound processors.

Features

Fully modular construction for optimum flexibility.

Comprehensive yet transparent protection circuitry protects from most common fault conditions without degrading sound quality.

Hardware

Dimensions: 17" x 19" x 8" (including feet)

Weight: 53 pounds (unboxed)

Power Requirements: 100 – 250 VAC 50/60 Hz (automatically detected).

BasX A7 Seven-Channel Power Amplifier $699

Audio

90 watts RMS per channel into 8 Ohms; all channels driven | 120 watts RMS per channel; into 8 Ohms. two channels driven | 125 watts/channel RMS into 4 Ohms all channels driven; two channels driven | 175 watts RMS per channel; into 4 Ohms.

The BasX A7 combines classical audiophile amplifier architecture, based on a heavy-duty linear power supply, and a carefully designed high current short signal path Class A/B output stage, with advanced microprocessor-controlled monitoring and protection circuitry, to deliver superb sound quality

Unbalanced inputs

Hardware

Dimensions:

17" wide x 4" high x 15-1/2" deep (not including connectors).

21-1/2" wide x 8" high x 21" deep (boxed).

Weight:

30 lbs (unboxed)

36 lbs (boxed)