Glossary term

Wi-Fi Standard

Wi-Fi Standard names the newest wireless networking generation supported by a product’s built-in Wi-Fi.

Wi-Fi 4 is 802.11n; Wi-Fi 5 is 802.11ac; Wi-Fi 6 is 802.11ax; Wi-Fi 7 is 802.11be. A list ending in ac therefore means Wi-Fi 5. “Dual-band” describes frequency bands, not a generation.

Wi-Fi Standard — Streamer

Wi-Fi lets a streamer receive music over your home network without an Ethernet cable. An optional adapter does not count as built-in support.

Wi-Fi 6E extends Wi-Fi 6 into the 6 GHz band. To use it, both streamer and router must support 6 GHz, where available; Wi-Fi 6 alone is insufficient.

A newer generation cannot guarantee uninterrupted playback. Distance, walls and wireless congestion can still cause dropouts. Improve the streamer’s or router’s placement, or try wired Ethernet if the streamer has a port.

Sources

Intel: Wi-Fi 6 vs. Wi-Fi 6E/7: Understanding 6 GHz Band Support Differences — Intel
Apple: Use Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 networks with Apple devices — Apple
BluOS: How to Improve the Signal Strength to your BluOS Player? — BluOS
BluOS: How to avoid Wireless dropouts? — BluOS

Explore Network streaming

Sources

IEEE SA Wi-Fi Timeline — IEEE Standards Association
IEEE 802.11 Working Group: Standards approvals — IEEE 802.11 Working Group

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