Bluetooth vs. WiFi: Which to Choose for Your In-Store Music | Blog (2024)

The recent history of business music solutions and audio connectivity can be summed up simply:

First, there was Wifi, and it was good - with terrific sound, strong expandable signals and the ability to link together multiple speakers on a single network -- all with no wires anywhere in sight.

Next came Bluetooth connectivity, and it too was good, providing an inexpensive, flexible solution with multiple options for playback from phones, tablets, PCs and other devices.

Now users had a choice to make - which could be confusing. And that wasn’t so good.

Today we’re here to help sort through the pros and cons of both Bluetooth and Wifi connectivity options so that you can make the smartest decision for playing back music from a sound system in your retail location or office.

Choosing Wifi For Playing Back Music at Your Business

When Wifi first hit the scene, most people couldn’t believe what they were seeing - all their networks, PCs and other crucial tech devices could now be connected without wires running anywhere and everywhere. For many businesses, especially those seeking to fill a larger physical space with music, wireless was the best choice.

Consider the pros and cons of using Wifi for in-store/in-office music playback:

Pros:

• Allows for linking of multiple speakers on a single network
• Ability to extend speaker range through extension of network
• Delivers fuller, richer and more synchronized sound experience
• Allows users to take advantage of Cloud Cover Music’s high-quality SONOS equipment options

Cons:

• A more expensive solution than Bluetooth
• Proprietary controllers may not be compatible with all services
• Wifi compression settings must be adjusted to work with Cloud Cover Music services

Choosing Bluetooth to Connect Your Music to Your Speakers

Popularity of the Bluetooth format happened fast. One day people were talking about this new standard of wireless connectivity, and seemingly the next it was a part of our daily lives, providing a smooth universal connection between a vast array of devices, both at home and in the workplace.

But is Bluetooth the best solution for playing music in a business setting? Consider the pros and cons of Bluetooth:

Pros:

• Inexpensive to implement
• Portability provides extra convenience
• Solid solution for small stores, seasonal needs

Cons:

• Allows for broadcast to only one single speaker (unless using a transmitter for multiple speakers)
• Industry standard 30-foot range can be limiting in larger spaces
• Not all Bluetooth classes work with the same compression formats

In sum, choosing Wifi or Bluetooth to connect music-to-speakers or sound systems provides numerous benefits, but may also come at a cost.

Wifi is more expensive, but delivers richer sound and a wider, expandable range of service. Conversely, being able to use Bluetooth on existing devices means lower startup costs, but that comes at the expense of sound quality and range - which is decidedly smaller than traditional wireless.

Working with the Experts to Make The Right Choice

At Cloud Cover Music, we create unforgettable music experiences for your business that are compatible with both WiFI and Bluetooth connectivity formats. You can use your own smartphone, tablet or PC to connect to, and control, your music for business mix via Bluetooth, or use Wifi to take advantage of our SONOS-based proprietary system that provides unprecedented control and sound quality.

When you work with CCM, we’re here around the clock to help you select the format that is best for your business. And to see for yourself which format best meets your needs, visit our website today, and take advantage of our 14-Day free trial.