Airport Extreme + Express + older Express audio dropouts

Question

Airport Extreme + Express + older Express audio dropouts

My set up is the following:

Coaxial from cable provider --> cable modem from provider --> Airport Extreme via Cat5e

Express #1 a few feet away, analog out to stereo, extending Extreme network

Express #2 2 rooms away, analog out to stereo, extending Extreme network

2014 Macbook pro, Yosemite

When I stream from iTunes to Express #1, it's generally fine from anywhere. When I stream to #2 (either by itself or in addition to #1) I get sporadic audio dropouts no matter where the macbook is, even though my internet stays steady. For example, the macbook is right next to Express #2, streaming internet radio and playing through internal speakers. When I also send the audio to Express #2 (multiple speakers in itunes), that Express audio stream is sporadic, even though the internal speakers stay consistently on. I would have thought dropouts would go away as the macbook got closer to #2, but there's little if any change.

If the macbook is right next to Express #2, does it stream directly to #2, or does it make a trip to the Extreme and back to #2? Possible Express #2 works to extend the network ok but is failing just for airplay? It's a first or second gen.

Thanks!

Posted on Sep 10, 2016 8:42 AM

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Answer 1

Tesserax

Level 10

158,484 points

Sep 10, 2016 9:42 AM in response to mister coffee

What are the exact models of each of your AirPort base stations?

When I stream from iTunes to Express #1, it's generally fine from anywhere. When I stream to #2 (either by itself or in addition to #1) I get sporadic audio dropouts no matter where the macbook is, even though my internet stays steady.

The basic path that AirPlay takes when streaming for your setup is as follows:

From the MacBook iTunes host to the AirPort Extreme.
From the Extreme to:
- Express #1 if that Express is chosen as the AirPlay "speaker," or
- Express #2 if that has been chosen as the speaker, or
- To both if both have been chosen as the speaker.

So, it is possible that the path will include multiple obstacles (walls) for AirPlay to traverse through.

If the macbook is right next to Express #2, does it stream directly to #2, or does it make a trip to the Extreme and back to #2?

AirPlay, in theory, would first travel to the base station that the iTunes host is connected to.

When extending, you lose significant amount of bandwidth just to maintain the wireless network in this configuration. So the question is, do you really need to extend your network or is streaming more important to you?

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Answer 2

Sep 10, 2016 9:52 AM in response to Tesserax

Most helpful, thanks. Not home at the moment, will post the exact models later on.

I actually want to extend the network AND add an airplay device. At first I thought I could extend via Ethernet, but my understanding is that I would have to make that a new network and even if I name it the same for "roaming", I would only be able to see one express or the other from iTunes, not both at the same time.

Yes, assorted obstacles are there. Basically, I want to stream from iTunes (and keep internet connection) to one or more speakers from anywhere in the house. Suggestions appreciated!

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Answer 3

Tesserax

Level 10

158,484 points

Sep 10, 2016 2:27 PM in response to mister coffee

At first I thought I could extend via Ethernet, but my understanding is that I would have to make that a new network and even if I name it the same for "roaming", I would only be able to see one express or the other from iTunes, not both at the same time.

No, that shouldn't be the case. Each Express will still be configured as AirPlay "speakers." Both should be available for streaming, either individually or together in a roaming network.

A roaming network would be ideal for extending as it will provide the best overall bandwidth over extending usng wireless-only connections.

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Answer 4

Sep 10, 2016 2:45 PM in response to Tesserax

I tried this just now and iTunes can only see one "speakers" instance at a time. Here's exactly how I set it up:

Modem to Extreme (AirPort Extreme 802.11n (5th Gen)), Extreme to Express #2 (AirPort Express 802.11g (1st Gen)) via Ethernet. Express #1 (AirPort Express 802.11n (1st Gen)) not physically wired.

Extreme was set to create a new network. Express #1 extends this network over wifi and is attached to speakers. Express #2 set to create a new network, w the same name and credentials as the first network. It's also attached to speakers.

When I roam around with my laptop, it appears that I'm seamlessly going from one network to the other with no interruption. I open iTunes near the Extreme and Express #1 (same room) and can see Express #1 in the speaker dropdown, but not Express #2. If I move to where I'm closer to Express #2 than I am to Express #1, there's no change in iTunes. If I quit iTunes and then relaunch it, iTunes can now see Express #2 but not Express #1. In my original setup described above, both Expresses were always visible to iTunes and #2 had dropouts.

Based on what you said, that shouldn't be the case -- possible there's something in my setup that's wrong? FWIW, Express #2 is too old to be setup via current Airport Utility, I have to run an older version from another Mac w OS 10.6.8 to change it's settings. I also haven't tried running ethernet directly from the modem to Express #2, it's been going from the Extreme.

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Answer 5

Tesserax

Level 10

158,484 points

Sep 11, 2016 8:07 AM in response to mister coffee

Based on what you said, that shouldn't be the case -- possible there's something in my setup that's wrong? FWIW, Express #2 is too old to be setup via current Airport Utility, I have to run an older version from another Mac w OS 10.6.8 to change it's settings. I also haven't tried running ethernet directly from the modem to Express #2, it's been going from the Extreme.

Ah, that might just be it. Sorry, I don't have an older 802.11g AirPort Express to verify this, but in my case it works with two 802.11n models.

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Answer 6

Sep 11, 2016 5:42 PM in response to Tesserax

Thank you again for taking the time, maybe I'll pick up a newer model and see.

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