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Recommended routers and connection expectations

How many musicians to connect and which router to choose

StageWave transmits low-latency, real-time audio over WiFi. This is not normal network usage: each connected phone receives a constant audio stream, which requires stable routers with good multi-device handling and real MU-MIMO support.

After years of testing dozens of models, we discovered that the Wi-Fi chipset matters more than the brand or the price. Routers with MediaTek chipsets consistently outperform Qualcomm- and Broadcom-based ones for multi-client audio streaming. That's why every recommendation on this page uses MediaTek.

👉 Read the full analysis: Why StageWave recommends routers with MediaTek chipsets

Quick recommendations:

Still our benchmark router — no modern model has surpassed it in stability for our use case. It's discontinued and increasingly hard to find, but if you can get one, buy it. 👉 View on Amazon

1-4 musicians

Xiaomi AX3000T or GL.iNet Beryl AX.

5-6 musicians

Asus TUF-AX4200.

7-8 musicians

GL.iNet Flint 2 or Mercusys MR90X.

More than 8 musicians

The most stable option is to use two MediaTek routers and distribute devices between them, or complement the setup with devices connected via Ethernet cable. If you're going to use a single router, make sure the chipset is MediaTek.

Key points to consider:

  • The router's chipset matters more than the brand or the price. We recommend MediaTek for multi-client live audio.
  • Not all WiFi routers work well with real-time audio, even if they have good specs on paper.
  • WiFi 6 / 6E / 7 is only worth it if all devices are compatible. Mixing generations usually worsens stability for every device, even the modern ones. If you don't control the devices, set the router to 802.11ac mode.
  • Connecting some devices via Ethernet cable frees up WiFi and improves latency and stability.
  • In our tests, TP-Link, Linksys, Ubiquiti, and AmpliFi routers (all with Broadcom or Qualcomm chipsets) have not delivered reliable performance with StageWave under real load.

Want to know more?

If you want to learn more about why StageWave needs specific routers, how MU-MIMO works, how to distribute devices across multiple routers, or see recommended configurations, check out these articles:

📘 Why StageWave recommends routers with MediaTek chipsets

📘 Everything you need to know about WiFi Routers for StageWave

📘 Using two or more routers with StageWave

📘 Connect your phone to the router using an Ethernet cable

If you can't find any of the recommended models in your country, write to us and we'll help you choose a compatible alternative.