Bluetooth VS WiFi Streaming | Which Is Right For You?

[@CameronHeard]

I really love your videos man. Another funny pro for wifi audio streaming. (This is Chromecast centric) My house is connected to a VPS as a VPN on the router level, I was away from home, across town one day. and my phone is automatically connected to that VPN when I am using the cell network for data. I was going to listen to Pandora, and I happened to see the car button. I thought it was a glitch. for giggles I just tapped it. Little did I know, My girlfriend left the AV receiver on. The receiver switched to the input since that was the only input with a signal. My girlfriend frantically text me saying something along the lines of "there's a ghost playing Metal in our house."

[@KirbyMeetsAudio]

Hahaha! What a great story!

[@dylanwhite6539]

Cameron Heard that's great!

[@sjwiz5991]

Short of using cell network data, can wifi-'s range for audio speakers be as expansive as an arena/coliseum?

[@veckia]

Kirby, IT here, WPS (aka QSS) is great in theory, it is on almost any wireless router since 2010 even the low priced ones, but and this is a HUGE BUT, WPS is a security flaw, it can be easely breached within a couple hours and a hacker might be using your connection for evil purposes, I always disable the wps option on my routers. =) Anyway, great video. Keep up the good work! =)

[@heinzkitzvelvet]

I've got 14 LG Music Flow WiFi speakers throughout my home and garage. It's the most awesome thing in the world to hear my music everywhere I go.

[@fernandofarandato4852]

Hey! My name is Fernando and I'm from Argentina. Isaw some of your videos and let me tell you, they are awesome! Keep going!

[@KirbyMeetsAudio]

Thank you, Fernando!

[@kevinlivingston9563]

Great video and I think you did a good job avoiding stepping on any "audiophiles" VERY sensitive toes. Keep putting out great content Kirby!

[@KirbyMeetsAudio]

Haha it's a minefield! Thanks for watching, Kevin!

[@A_Handle_2_Continue]

The lossless question depends on how good your setup is. There is also a consideration of which direction you will be streaming. If I stream lossless to a good setup, it's digital who cares where it's coming from. However if I stream from my computer or a DLNA device to my phone, there is the limiting factor. A phone is not a great DAC/headphone amp. All the extra care of ripping with Exact Audio Copy or buying from HDTracks is lost within the phone and headphones/ear buds. I came to the same conclusion about online forums you did. Thank you do much for your time in making these videos. SHOW IDEA: How to improve on some piece of sh.. speaker that I got for little or nothing. Why no 3-way speakers?

[@GGUU03]

I'm so glad that I found your channel, Kirby! I'm from México and currrently I'm studying Electronics and Communications engineering. I want to study a master's degree on Acoustics, and this channel inspires me a lot. I haven't built an audio system (but in cars), and I want to build a really hi-fi audio system in the future (when I have enough money, here in México everything is expensive). Finally I have a question for you: what do you think about tube amps? Keep the good work, bro!

[@ashliehiggins]

cheap way to add wifi streaming is to get a chromecast audio, usually £15-30. and it isn't too bad.

[@KirbyMeetsAudio]

Very true! I haven't used one personally, but I've heard they work well. Thanks for watching!

[@argon1490]

Someone else has a KZbin video of a speaker build with the Chromecast audio. I've found the device very easy to use and the system does multi-room casting. Worth trying. There are ways to stream your home music collection as well. I like being able to turn off my phone/tablet or at least extend battery life when I'm streaming music from a web-based source. For those who prefer to roll their own, Open WRT seems to have audio support. One might be able to create something similar to the iEast wifi module with a USB sound card and small, travel router like the GL-MT300 series.

[@lavidboys]

I'm currently building side table at home with speakers come out on the bottom of the table. I've wondering a way to connect multiple speakers and one control. The idea is a prototype to potentially sell locally. Thanks for the tip

[@rbmanb]

Shiaomi mi TV box is another good solution. It has the Chromecast built-in and offers a menu and extra features for an affordable price. It's also offers 4k stream and now it has an international version and support.

[@Awsomeize1]

Yes you are right ... i do own a few bluetooth speakers but their range is not anywhere near the given range ... i think rooms and walls break the direct line of sight and propagation through the wall makes it all laggy

[@Awsomeize1]

Hi kirby im here again seeing another one of your amazing videos as usual ! Nothing better for a night study session than your video ;)

[@KirbyMeetsAudio]

Thanks for watching, Saif!

[@raffaeledelsarto1189]

how about using an apple TV coupled with a DAC to stream hifi audio over the wifi?

[@gerrym4377]

Fantastic video Kirby! I think a raspberry Pi based speaker would be awesome... But Bluetooth is extremely accessible so a great choice - your grandma probably knows how to connect to it 😉🙌👍

[@argon1490]

With the Pi units also providing touchscreen capability, that would be a sweet device. Sadly, by the time you add audio and wifi to a Pi Zero, you're not too far from a Pi B+ or 3.

[@meesterDave]

Hi Kirby! What’s your opinion on chromecast audio and AirPort Express? The cromecast audio costing ‘only’ around $35 seems like a cheap alternative to a WiFi receiver... But maybe there’s a catch...?

[@booboobear6083]

Hello, Kirby. I'd like to put a sound system in my backyard using my iPod classic as the music source. I understand I'll probably need a Bluetooh transmitter hooked into the headphone jack of my iPod (which is in a docking station.) But, can I transmit the music directly from my iPod classic (with Bluetooth transmitter) to a wireless/Bluetooth all-weather speaker that's located outside? Or, do I need to transmit from the iPod to an amp then transmit from the amp to the Bluetooth speakers? Do you design systems? If so, what's your design fee? Many thanks.

[@ChunkySteveo]

What's your thoughts/suggestions for a good "zoned" system other than Sonos or Logitech Squeeze system?

[@KirbyMeetsAudio]

To be honest, the only experience I have with zones are Sonos and this iEast setup. Parts express also sells a unit that will do zones: b2b.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-wfa02-multi-room-wi-fi-audio-adapter-for-ios-android--300-576 Again, I've never used it, so I have no idea if it's good. But there ya go! Thanks for watching!

[@jeromejohnson1954]

Hi: I was looking for the blue tooth module called m"I eaze?" (do I have the name right? I looked for the link as you instructed but it didn't happen on my end.....what was the correct name of this module that you recommended?Thanking you in advance, Jeremy

[@SiHill80]

Kirby, have you looked at using the Chromecast Audio? Could this be a good wifi option

[@andreweatstacos6494]

I've learned a lot from your videos thank you! I plan on getting my speaker parts together soon! On another note, what glasses do you have?

[@KirbyMeetsAudio]

Awesome! Good luck! They are Warby Parker. Thanks for watching!

[@Sichers]

Hey man, been loving your vids, and I plan on making some speakers based on one of your designs (I'll be getting plans from you). A question I have for you is actually about your earrings. I have gauged ears as well and I really like your tunnels and I was wondering where you got yours? Did you make them or did you buy them? Thanks! Keep up the awesome vids.

[@KirbyMeetsAudio]

Thank you! To be honest, I have no idea where I got them... I've had them for like 10 years. Thanks for watching!

[@JesusCliment]

Lossless audio is not what you describe, i.e., "the information that is sent from your phone is the exact same that is received at your speakers". Broadly speaking, lossless audio is a mechanism to compress audio so that the compressed information contains the same data as the uncompressed one. E.g., AAAAAAAAA -compress-> (8A) -decompress-> AAAAAAAA MP3, OGG/Vorbis and other compression mechanisms use psychoacoustic models that discard information that is believed not to be registered by the listeners. Different levels of compression result in different artifacts in the final stream. E.g., AAAAAAAA -compress-> A.A.A.A. -decompress-> Aa?Aa?Aa?Aa? E.g., AAAAAAAA -compress-> A..A..A. -decompress-> Aa?a?Aa?a?Aa? In a digital world "the information that is sent from your phone" is always the exact same information that is received at your speakers. Compared with analog transmission (think am/fm radio), in which signal variations (interferences) degrade the transmission of information, in digital streams (generally) interferences interrupt the reception. Some technologies (OGG/Vorvis) utilize a mechanism called "peeling" in which the information can be degraded by removing part of the data (think "every other bit"), thus reducing the needed bandwidth but also reducing the quality of the stream. So, over WiFi, if you stream from Pandora or Spotify, you are constrained by the quality of the stream that they transmit in the first place (128bps MP3 Vs. FLAC lossless), but there is no additional compression from your receiving device to your speakers. Over Bluetooth, you are constrained by the original quality of the stream *plus* the compression artifacts that the bluetooth audio transmission may add to the stream. If you are out in the wild running, or on the subway, it might be barely noticeable. However, if you are at home with a pair of high end speakers, it might be.

[@OutRAjious]

would you have bluetooth or wifi at home sound quality can you hear difference using spotify …!?? Tx

[@thevintagehifiambassador8524]

I stared at your ear and reading now how a tunnel grows...ah ok Hifi great, I‘ll watch the videonow. Nice voice :-)

[@sanjaybhadu2230]

Thanks for video.....I have one question. I have SONOS PLAY 5 and its a wifi player. wifi means we should have internet connection. Suppose I don't have internet access. Is there any device in market that can make a wifi connection between my mobile and SONOS Play 5 without internet connection?

[@DVZNMedia]

damnit...now I gotta go build a system. Great video man.

[@KirbyMeetsAudio]

Heck yes you do! Send me photos when you're done! Thanks for watching!

[@DVZNMedia]

no doubt, I'm going to be on it

[@standevos8631]

Hey man, I already asked you about speaker kits under a 100 bucks. Are you still making it? Your videos are great btw

[@KirbyMeetsAudio]

I have my first kit up in the shop! You can see it here: kirbymeetsaudio.com/shop/fawn-bluetooth-speaker-build-kit-wood-kit-pre-order I'm still working on the kit under $100. It's a little more difficult to get the price down, so I'm still testing out parts to make sure it's great! Thanks for watching!

[@arisdom3929]

i am in to the cuality of the sound reather than just sound so i prefer wired conection over all but i think that the only way to steam good cuality sound is by an external hifi DAC and that is not cheap at all, not to mention that the sett up is very dificuld and includes programin the router

[@JonnyLK21]

Hey kirby, I was wondering which is that cool watch that you have, its really nice man!

[@KirbyMeetsAudio]

Thanks! I love this watch! You can find it here: amzn.to/2cXQtaO

[@JonnyLK21]

Thanks dude!! 😉👌

[@JonnyLK21]

Thanks dude!! 😉👌

[@AshleyWilsonAU]

Too much "I don't know"s for my taste... seems like you aren't sure of anything, and I'm not talking about just the conclusion either... Having said that, good video and audio quality (I've never watched one of your videos before). I'd recommend Chromecast Audio for streaming, because it gives you the highest quality audio on every single audio system with a 3.5mm audio jack, and with superfast pairing and zones configurable from the smartphone.

[@Vantasks]

Any ideas what would be the best way to have a laptop with Windows 10 in one room, connect to some old multimedia speakers with no built in bluetooth or wifi in another room, but to have it do so on demand, from the laptop? I also want it to transmit all system sounds, not just audio and not from any streaming websites. I tried a bluetooth adaptor, but the bluetooth would disconnect if it wasn't in use for several minutes. This would mean that you could be listening to something, not listen to anything for a few minutes and by the time you put on something else, you have to go back and turn the adaptor on again. I also tried a Neet Airstream Pro, but I can't get it to work well. I tried it with Airfoil, but it doesn't give a constant connection and seems to keep dropping and when it did finally connect, there was a delay on sending the system sound so what I saw on youtube was way out of sync with what was being played on the multimedia speakers. Ideally I'd like something that's just constantly connected wirelessy and will only turn off if I unplug it physically. If I could have something that would just give me volume control for the laptop speakers and volume control for the separate speakers it would be great! Any feedback would be appreciated :)

[@MakingStuffco]

Thanks man, lov your channel!

[@KirbyMeetsAudio]

Thank you!

[@jasonoliver3548]

one pro for wifi streaming vs Bluetooth is notification interruptions. I love wifi streaming at home, but the go, the only option is Bluetooth. I really hate the notification interruptions, I wish someone could figure out how to route just the music through Bluetooth!?!?

[@KirbyMeetsAudio]

Very true! Good point, Jason. Thanks for watching!

[@GurnamSinghchannel]

can we stream music with WiFi at the same time when connected with Wifi Internet?

[@raffaeledelsarto1189]

building is where is the fun!

[@vitorrego30]

Chromecast audio may be in this list

[@xavierayayaell546]

Keep up the good work.

[@KirbyMeetsAudio]

I'll keep making if you keep watching! Thanks!

[@venkatraman08be]

hi, can I convert ordinary speaker into wireless with WiFi dongle in USB port of amplifier? please advise

[@laurispeterisvejs4007]

Hello Kirby! I have a question I broke me headphones whit wire and I think that I can repar them but not whit a wire, I want to make my headphones wireless and I have low budget, but WiFi I in hy home is awesome and I don't pay for that. so can you please say me which wifi/Bluetooth music receiver I should buy. P.S I love your channel and ur videos are soo good!

[@giovannidaprince]

Great Video!!! Great Info!

[@abhidwd]

Please make a video on building WiFi speakers

[@VicTorHal]

Is it possible to make 3 speakers play together with bluetooth?

[@KirbyMeetsAudio]

I don't believe so, but I may be wrong. Thanks for watching!

[@LukeMtech55]

Yes, add Chromecast Audio to each Bluetooth speaker.

[@rbmanb]

Some Bluetooth speakers support it. You gonna have to buy the same speakers by that same company though.

[@jedteng2650]

if Im going to use my phone to play music,im using wifi as a connection to the internet,So this means I wont be able to use the wifi music streamer since Im already connected to wifi?

[@SamB-fv6su]

I like your earbuds Kirby !! umm ... I think they’re earbuds ....

[@tech-knowledge7076]

does wifi audio need internet connection or it works with WiFi hotspot

[@adligeleute]

Hey Kirby, It would be real awesome to see you build a crossover for like 2 midrange speaker and a tweeter... Cause i am interested in building a soundbar without full range drivers... Nice video ;)

[@KirbyMeetsAudio]

Thanks! I will be doing a few videos on crossovers in the future. Thanks for watching!

[@ricardofl]

Your videos is perfect.. ! =)

[@johnknoxville4304]

Im about to buy a sound bar (home theater) so i can enjoy movies and probably games. My place is a one bedroom and tv in living room, so not a big house. Now im confused between wifi and bluetooth. I need help :(

[@andrewbenjack727]

House tour?

[@josephpray125]

I have a Sony Receiver with Bluetooth , but my Walmart Bluetooth headphone wont work , my android phone will , but not the headphones . looking for something decent to hook in to the phone jack on my Sony Receiver , so i can listen to my tapes , records , what have you , with out disturbing my wife when i work out . any suggestions ? around 25 bucks or so . i have the Sony 100 Watts 2-Channel Stereo Receiver - Bluetooth - Black STR-DH190 , with the phono , tape deck DVD /VCR , etc hook to it .

[@sun622]

Doesn't some one make a wifi bluetooth device? Using your wifi, it activates your bluetooth. You can turn on a bluetooth device from across the country. Who makes one?

[@mashups7293]

i get about 50-75ft with my jbl bluetooth speaker using my iphone.

[@rbmanb]

You build your own systems? Wowah. How??

[@GUIDOHERNANGUASCH]

You can do that with a PC, a raspberry pi for example.

[@KirbyMeetsAudio]

Yeah! I'll be doing a raspberry pi build in the future. Thanks for watching!

[@GUIDOHERNANGUASCH]

Looking forward to it!!

[@MrFreakwent]

Very informative ! I like bluetooth, and I like wifi. The next logical step after audio boards is a board with a processor - like a Pi or unlocked Android using wifi. Why ? because of the two way interface . . I can select the audio from my server so long as the Pi (etc.) has a display that will display simple folder structures and menu cues. The small size lets us keep portability .

[@JaydenLitolff]

With Bluetooth you can hear your notification sounds

[@rafikyandre]

Men you shouldn´t go weekly, but two or three times a week

[@StanleyMarak]

What's the answer? I don't wanna watch the whole 7 minutes

[@Awsomeize1]

Woah i was the first to comment ! Damnn

[@hughmoore786]

I gave you thumbs down because you did not make it clear what is "slave" (or peripheral) and what is "host" (or controller) . . . but than again I have the same issues with traffic signals . . . (not enough user feedback . . . if you have ever sat in front of a red light on your motorcycle waiting for the light to change you'll know what I mean) Bluetooth is purely slave . . . WiFi can sponsor both but needs some kind of host device You may want to use the old keyboard vs screen analogy . . . at one time they were one unit called a computer but the screen was slave to the keyboard . . . now because of connecting points they are becoming one again with touchscreen. Connecting Devices . . . ? ? ? Yeah . . . a wall outlet . . . a nail . . . even a tire . . . all connecting devices ! ! ! You may want to stay away from this one. Good luck in any case ! ! !