Bluetooth 5.0 range doesn't seem any different

[kirksucks]

I have a cheap Bluetooth speaker that I didn't expect to be different with 5.0 on my phone and it isn't.

I have a high-endish Samsung soundbar with Bluetooth and just like the cheap speaker, I can't walk more than 8 feet away without it cutting out. Also if I'm standing in front of it and someone walks between me and the soundbar it cuts out.

I thought 5.0 was supposed to have better range? It still kind of bad.

Do I need a 2017 $500 BT speaker?

 

[SpookDroid]

You would need the connecting device in the new BT standard. Think of a router... just because you switch to a 1Gbps one doesn't mean your older 100Mbps devices will magically perform faster. Same thing here. Although supported, unless you have the right connecting equipment, the benefits of a new protocol will not be apparent.

 

[Tsepz_GP]

I've definitely noticed a difference with some Bluetooth devices e.g. I can walk further in my garage from my car and the music will still be fine, same with my BT gym loudspeaker, I can go further in the house and it keeps playing just fine. On both with the S7 Edge the moment a wall or further distance came in the music would start skipping and losing connection.

 

[cmb713]

You can connect two speakers to your phone which is cool.

 

[kirksucks]

Dual mode works and is cool but I'm not getting better range. Wondering if it's the speakers

 

[SpookDroid]

Probably is. But the best way to test this (and again, unless the speaker supports the new BT protocol the test will probably be dependent on the BT chip/placement on the phone rather than whether or not it supports BT 5) is to grab both phones and speaker and test in an open field with direct line of sight.