If you want to use high-bandwidth applications, like streaming video, over your wireless network, 5GHz is by far the better choice. Higher radio frequenciesВ allow faster data transmission, so 5GHz allows much faster network connections than 2.4GHz. The major difference between 2.4GHzВ and 5GHz isВ the speed of data transmission, which you may have also heard described asВ 'bandwidth'. SomeВ high-end, top-of-the-line routers come with these already, and if you are interested in extending the range of your wireless network for all of your wi-fi activities, it could be worth looking into a router upgrade. Range for both bands canВ be greatly increased by the use of specialized 'high-gain' directional antennas. than lower frequency (2.4GHz) waves.В Since the transmissions are being sent with essentially the same power from the source, 2.4GHzВ wireless networks will usuallyВ have a greater range than 5GHz networks. Higher frequency (5GHz) radio waves lose more of their energy passing through walls, airВ etc. Certain materials in walls, tiles, and pipework can dramatically impact your effective streaming range. Many externalВ influences affect the range of a wireless network, making it impossible to predict what range you will achieve in your location. In addition, the 2.4GHz bandВ has onlyВ 3 non-overlapping channels (channels 1, 6, & 11) for these various devices to operate on, compared to theВ 23В channels of theВ 5GHz band.В Having more channels makes it easier to find a channel that is notВ used by anyone else in your area.

Far fewer devices and networks currently use 5GHz. The main issue is that there are manyВ wireless devices running on 2.4 GHz, such as cordless phones, Bluetooth, baby monitors, radio controlled toys, amateur radio, microwaves,В etc., and lots and lots of existing wireless networks that might be near yours, such as your neighbors or people in your apartment complex. The 2.4GHzВ bandВ encounters more interference than the 5GHz signal because of two things: Interference (what messes up your experience): This should give you the basic 'at a glace' benefits of both, but we'll go into more detail as well. In this post, we'll break down the practical differences between themВ to help you choose which is best for your Play-Fi experience. Of course, as Wi-Fi audio fanatics, we know this is a big deal, but what does it really mean? Essentially, it means that if your device and your router have the same capability, yourВ music can beВ streamedВ using your choice ofВ two different wireless bands,В 2.4 GigaHertz (GHz) and 5GHz, otherwise known as 'Dual-Band'.

We're one of the first speaker companies to add this advanced feature, which will now be standard on all new DTS Play-Fi(R) products.

One of the biggestВ upgrades we've made toВ the new PR5 Receiver (just released!)В and PS5 Speaker (coming soon!)В is built-inВ support forВ Dual-Band Wi-Fi connectivity.

Wifi 2.4 vs 5