Testing the $2000 Ubiquiti E7 Audience WiFi 7 Access Point at a 300-Person LAN Party

jakkuh

Summary:

The video reviews the Ubiquiti E7 Audience, a high-end WiFi 7 access point designed for large audiences, costing $2000.

This device is rated for over 1500 clients, features an IP68 protection rating, and includes 10 GbE PoE++ input with a 1 GbE backup port. It operates on 5 GHz and dual 6 GHz bands, supporting 4x4 MIMO for 12 spatial streams and offers software-switchable directional antennas (90x90 or 50x50 degree patterns).

The presenter tests the E7 Audience at a 300-person LANFest event in a 30,000 sq ft space, positioning it 20-30 ft high using a makeshift pole mount.

Initial tests showed over 500-600 Mbps on 5GHz from 200 ft away, and during the event with ~140 connected devices on 6GHz, speeds reached over 1 Gigabit.

The AP handled over a terabyte of traffic over two days with minimal complaints, validating its performance in a demanding environment.

Introduction to the Ubiquiti E7 Audience [0:00]

• The presenter recounts a surprising experience of getting 400 Mbps Wi-Fi in a stadium with thousands of people, sparking curiosity about high-performance Wi-Fi solutions.

  

• He introduces the Ubiquiti E7 Audience, a top-of-the-line Wi-Fi 7 access point costing $2000, designed for large audiences like stadiums or universities.

  

• The device is physically large, exceeding the size of the presenter's head.

  

Physical Features and Durability [1:13]

• Mounting:
• It features a bracket for pole mounting, allowing for vertical or horizontal attachment and tilt adjustment, but no pan.

  

• It also includes drywall anchors for wall installation, suitable for environments like schools.

  

• Cable Glands and IP68 Rating:
• The access point has two cable glands to insulate Ethernet cables, preventing water ingress.

  

• This design contributes to its IP68 protection rating, meaning it is fully dust-tight and can withstand submersion up to 1 meter for an extended period.
• A demonstration shows the device still functioning while submerged in a sink.

  

• Connectivity:
• Rated for over 1500 clients.

  

• Features a 10 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) RJ45 PoE++ input.
• Includes a 1 GbE RJ45 PoE++ backup input for high availability, automatically switching if the primary link fails without LACP.

  

• Other Features:
• A small screen on the bottom shows "Ready for Adoption" once powered on, whose utility is questioned by the presenter given its intended high-mount usage.

  

• A reset button and an LED ring that wraps around the device.
• Power Requirements:
• The E7 Audience draws 26 watts without any clients connected.

  

• It requires a PoE++ switch like the UniFi Switch Pro XG 10 PoE.

  

Unique Technical Specifications [5:33]

• Band Support:
• It does not support 2.4 GHz, focusing instead on faster 5 GHz and dual 6 GHz bands.
• This configuration essentially provides the capability of two or three access points in one.

  

• MIMO and Spatial Streams:
• All three radios (5 GHz and dual 6 GHz) support 4x4 MIMO, resulting in 12 spatial streams.

  

• This allows for significant simultaneous communication with multiple devices.
• Antenna Directionality:
• The device has two sets of internal antennas that can be switched via software.
• Users can choose between a wide 90x90 degree pattern (wide mode) or a high-power, long-range 50x50 degree pattern.

  

• In its outdoor variant, it supports Automatic Frequency Coordination (AFC) on both 6 GHz antennas, allowing it to transmit at 36 dBm ERP (Effective Radiated Power), which is very high.

  

Real-World Testing at LANFest [7:41]

• Testing Environment:
• The presenter traveled to Colorado to test the E7 Audience at a LANFest event, a charity LAN party.
• The venue is a large, cavernous space, approximately 250 by 150 feet (30,000 sq ft), with 300 gamers attending.

  

• The challenge was to provide Wi-Fi for the entire space with a single access point.
• Network Setup:
• The LANFest setup is streamlined, with custom fiber reels and Ethernet "snakes" providing wired connections to each seat.

  

• The E7 Audience was powered by a UniFi Switch Pro XG 8 PoE, an 8-port 10 GbE PoE++ switch with two 10 GbE SFP+ ports.

  

• Mounting Challenges:
• The AP needed to be mounted in the middle of the room, 20-30 feet high, on a diagonal cross-brace structure.
• The standard mounting bracket only supports horizontal or vertical orientation, requiring a makeshift solution using zip ties and duct tape to attach it to a horizontal pipe.

  

  

• Configuration and Initial Tests (5GHz):
• The AP was configured with a deep blue RGB LED and set to wide-angle, low-gain antenna mode (90x90 degree pattern) on the 5 GHz band.
• Simulations in the UniFi Design Center suggested this configuration would provide good signal coverage for the entire space.

  

• A speed test at the far end of the room (~200 ft away) with no other users initially showed download speeds of 500-600 Mbps.

  

  

• Performance with 140+ Connected Devices (6GHz) [11:14]:
• During the event, with the venue filled and many phones/laptops connected via Wi-Fi (while most gaming PCs were hardwired), the AP handled over a terabyte of traffic in two days.

  

• The traffic graph showed consistent peaks of 1 Gigabit per second or more.
• The presenter conducted a speed test on his laptop, 200 feet away, achieving over 990 Mbps.

  

• Band Utilization Analysis:
• The low band 6 GHz radio (using channels in the lower 6 GHz spectrum, set to 320 MHz wide) was utilized significantly more than the high band 6 GHz radio (using channels in the higher 6 GHz spectrum, set to 160 MHz wide).

  

  

• This is attributed to devices preferring the wider channel available on the low band.
• Adjusting the low band to match the high band at 160 MHz resulted in more even distribution of client connections.

Conclusion [12:55]

• The E7 Audience performed exceptionally, with virtually no Wi-Fi complaints over two days in a large, open space, despite one user needing 2.4 GHz.
• The presenter was "flabbergasted" by its performance and decided to donate the AP to LANFest for future events.
• LANFest is highlighted as a charity organization that hosts LAN parties across the country to raise money for various charities.