When we talk of routers, one would imagine the usual, a block of plastic with a ton of antennas stretching out, maybe with some lights.
ASUS on the other hand, values style just as much as functionality, and it kind of shows with the Lyra Voice, a tri-band Wi-Fi router that doesn’t look like a router in any way. Ironically, this device actually offers a lot more than that. Let’s dig in.
Specifications
| Network Standard | IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11ac |
| Product Segment | AC2200 ultimate AC performance : 400+867+867 Mbps |
| Coverage | Large homes |
| Data Rate | 802.11a : 6,9,12,18,24,36,48,54 Mbps |
| 802.11b : 1, 2, 5.5, 11 Mbps | |
| 802.11g : 6,9,12,18,24,36,48,54 Mbps | |
| 802.11n 256QAM : up to 400 Mbps | |
| 802.11ac : up to 867 Mbps | |
| Antenna | Internal dBi antenna x 6 for Wi-Fi |
| Bluetooth antenna x1 | |
| Transmit/Receive | 2.4 GHz 2 x 2 |
| 5 GHz-1 2 x 2 | |
| 5 GHz-2 2 x 2 | |
| Memory | 256 MB Flash |
| 512 MB RAM | |
| Operating Frequency | 2.4G Hz, 5 GHz-1, 5 GHz-2 |
| Encryption | WPA2-PSK, WPA-PSK, WPA-Enterprise , WPA2-Enterprise |
| WAN Connection Type | Internet connection type : Automatic IP, Static IP, PPPoE(MPPE supported), PPTP, L2TP |
| Ports | RJ45 for 1Gbps BaseT for WAN x 1, RJ45 for 1Gbps BaseT for LAN x 1 |
| Features | Router app |
| MU-MIMO | |
| Traffic Analyzer | |
| SmartQoS | |
| – WMM | |
| – User definable rules for IP/MAC/Port | |
| – Upload and download bandwidth management | |
| – ACK/SYN/FIN/RST/ICMP with highest priority | |
| AiProtection | |
| Parental Control | |
| Guest Network | |
| Button | Power Switch |
| Power Supply | AC Input : 110V~240V(50~60Hz) |
| DC Output : 19 V with max. 2.37 A current | |
| OS Support | Windows 10 |
| Windows 10 64-bit | |
| Windows 8.1 | |
| Windows 8 | |
| Windows 7 (Ensure that BIOS and drivers are the latest version to support Windows 7) | |
| Windows Vista | |
| Windows 2000 | |
| Windows ME | |
| Windows XP | |
| Windows Server 2003 | |
| Windows Server 2008 | |
| Windows Server 2008 R2 | |
| Windows Server 2012 | |
| Windows Server 2012 R2 | |
| Mac OS X 10.1 | |
| Mac OS X 10.4 | |
| Mac OS X 10.5 | |
| Mac OS X 10.6 | |
| Mac OS X 10.7 | |
| Mac OS X 10.8 | |
| Dimensions | 270 x 75 x 75 ~ mm (WxDxH) (Without Bezel) |
| Weight | 975 g |
| Operation mode | Wireless router mode |
| Range extender mode | |
| Access point mode | |
| SRP | PhP15,390 |
Design and Features
The Lyra Voice’s bar design isn’t exactly typical for a router, and that’s because ASUS wanted to set this device as an elegant piece in your living room, while still doing what it’s supposed to do. Up front, you get an ASUS branding along with an LED light which indicates the router’s status.
At the back are two ports, one for WAN, which is where you’ll connect the cable that comes from your main router, and one for LAN, along with the power port. There’s also a DTS branding, along with the power switch.
Up top, you get dedicated buttons for enabling or disabling the microphone, for adjusting volume, and controlling playback, partially.
The Lyra Voice router also functions as a Bluetooth + Alexa/Google Assistant-enabled speaker. Yes. When it’s properly set up, you can use your voice to execute commands such as playing music, and ask questions about a lot of topics, such as weather, time, and a lot more. It also works as a repeater to extend Wi-Fi range, or as part of an AiMesh Wi-Fi system.
Setting up the router is very easy. All you have to do is download the ASUS Router app, and let it find the Lyra Voice. Once it finds the device, it’ll then ask you to supply credentials for your network.
When set up, you’ll be able to access the router’s features, set network IDs, adjust sound settings and more. AIProtection Pro by TrendMicro can also be enabled by a simple switch. It protects your connected devices from cyber threats, like potentially harmful content in disguise.
It does this by performing in-depth scans of both inbound and outbound data. It even intelligently updates itself whenever a new patch is available to ensure always up-to-date protection.
Smart QoS allows you to set bandwidth priority for a set of predefined tasks. So if most users are into streaming, you can set that as the highest priority, and so on.
The ASUS Router app allows you to sign in with your Amazon account to access services connected to it, such as Spotify and Deezer.
To customize Alexa, you have to install the Alexa app on your mobile device. Once done, login to your Amazon account and let it do its magic. Once enabled, you can now customize Alexa with skills and connect to services such as Spotify. There’s Deezer too, but unfortunately it’s not supported in our region.
For parents who want to ensure that their kids don’t stumble on inappropriate content, the router offers Advanced Parental Controls, wherein they can just tick a checkbox and the device will then apply the corresponding filters. They can also easily monitor usage, and even set times to block Internet access.
Voice Commands
You can ask Alexa, such as about the weather, playing something from a music streaming service, be updated on the news, and more. You can even set reminders and add things to your Amazon cart. Oh, if you’re having a hard time with that math problem, it might just work.
In instances, you’ll have to be clear with your words so that Alexa can understand your commands. Normally, it does, even from a distance, so long as you’re loud enough.
Performance
As this is a Tri-band router, you’ll find 2.4GHz, and two 5GHz options on your device when scanning for available networks. The 2.4GHz band is useful when you’re far from the router, while the 5GHz gives you better performance when you’re close.
- Indoor
- Outdoor 1
- Outdoor 3
As far as range is concerned, I still had decent connectivity even when the router is placed on the 2nd floor in a room, and I was on the first. I even went as far as going out of our house to the other side of the road (about 20 meters), and I could still watch a YouTube video with no buffering.
Even when 4 devices were connected, three of them streaming, and I’m playing a game, my ping was still at what I’d normally get, which is good, and stable at that too.
The Lyra Voice isn’t going to blow you away with its sound, the treble seems muddy and lacking, and the mids, quite recessed. There’s a bit of bass there, but the overall signature isn’t really my cup of coffee. At least, it’s loud enough for a small room
Emman has been writing technical and feature articles since 2010. Prior to this, he became one of the instructors at Asia Pacific College in 2008, and eventually landed a job as Business Analyst and Technical Writer at Integrated Open Source Solutions for almost 3 years.
