June 4 edits-
1) I read Linksys' support article on EA9500 antenna placement. I tested with 2 of the 4 antenna on each side adjusted for a multi story (multi floor) environment. I placed one antenna on each side horizontally and one of them diagonally and left the other half (other 4) in the original (stock) vertical position.
Unfortunately it made no difference (perhaps due to beam forming compensating for antenna placement as one or more people have suggested (as a theory for antenna placement perhaps not being that important / not making much, if any, significant difference.
The antenae on all devices under test should be oriented the same - this, for some, is non-obvious, but MIMO needs the paths to be similar at the receiver (which the AP is from the client)
2) After testing my Linksys, I hooked the Asus back up this morning and in the distant location (basement sofa), now the Asus is on par with the Linksys (even ever so slightly faster) on GHz. 2.4 GHz on the Asus, which was already better in this basement location (81 MBps for the Asus in this spot vs 43 Mbps for the Linksys) went up to 86 Mbps on the latest test this morning.
So while I liked the almost-free * USB MU-MIMO wifi adapter with the Linksys EA9500 (limited time offer) and liked the 8 ports vs 4 LAN ports (as well as the look of the Linksys - more refined elegant look), I will be sticking with the Asus RT-AC5300.
Hokey - I appreciate the subjective comments.
Asus RT-AC5300 Pros
Better wifi performance
Ability to set custom Smart Connect rules
Better UI overall
More frequent firmware updates
better than what?
Let's tear things down...
Subjective findings - check
Ability to set some smart rules - out of scope, as the other target doesn't do this
Better UI - subjective opinion
More Frequent Firmware Updates - this is not a plus - updates are bug fixes
Asus Cons
Antennae - Even a slight turn to the left makes them flop over. However they hold up well if left alone (so this is a minor con as I won't be playing around with them)
Looks (a minor con)
Only 4 ethernet ports
Shorter Warranty than Linksys
the floppy RT-AC5300 antennas are a known quality issue
Appearance - subjective - some might find it pleasing, others might find it a bit over the top
(sidebar - spousal approval factor, while subjective, is a key component)
4 LAN ports - not a big deal, even though for much less, I can find a managed switch to do more
Warranty - I think Asus here is probably on the spot, but should consider goodwill with premature adapter failure - subjective comment here
Linksys EA9500 Pros
Free USB MU-MIMO adapter ($60 value)
Looks? (I am still undecided as to whether I like the clean elegant look of the Linksys or the Asus' bolder look).
8 ethernet ports
3 year warranty
Antenna design (not in terms of performance) is more 'solid' (don't flop over)
the freebie adapter bundle is nice, but they, IMHO, at this price point should bundle it - permanently - it takes two to do MU-MIMO, so putting at adapter in the box gets one out of the way...
the other items are subjective opinion
Linksys Cons
Overall wifi performance is still good but in certain locations it is noticeably weaker than the Asus (CNet has it beating the Asus ?), especially on 2.4 GHz.
AC adapter short cord, so if the router is not close to the ground, the big bulky part of the adapter will be left dangling in mid air if you don't have room on the table or shelf where the router is. This is also unsightly
Typically far less frequent firmware updates
subjective comments again...
* (EA9500 was $15 more than the Asus since I got a Price Match on the Asus).
not important...
I am returning the EA9500 (I gave it my best shot) and also finally selling my two WRT1900AC units and my two AC66U routers.
Don't be a fanboi and report congnitive bias...
Nice try.
I'll trust Tim's reviews/articles first... someone has to call this out - the board is getting too much bias on Asus, and it's hurting other vendors.
(and yes, I expect to be wood-shedded on this one, perhaps, and if so, I'll just leave...)