Wireless Network problems (Extreme & 3 express)

The basics: 1700 sq ft two story house. iMac, Extreme, modem in upper right of house, two airport express in lower left of house.
The problem: music broadcast from extreme to expresses cuts out. I've called Apple several times but the problem continues.
I've tried extending the network and nothing seems to work well.
I even replaced my original airport extreme because I thought it was the problem. Now I don't know.
Having expressed all that, is there a way to test the original airport extreme and use it down stairs to replace an express and strengthen the network signal?
I have read similar inquiries but I'm not very tech savvy and would appreciate an easy-to-understand answer.
Many thanks,
Mike

Unfortunately there is no "magic bullet" when it comes to setting up an extended wireless network. By that I mean, no one solution works in all cases. The following Apple Support article does a good job of explaining the number of ways that are available to you with the AirPorts, but which you choose will depend on your requirements and what is practical / feasible to you.
As you will find out, Apple recommends using a "roaming" type extended network first over an extended wireless network where all of the base stations use wireless connections between them. Primarily, I believe, this has to do with throughput performance. However, a roaming network would require that all base stations are interconnected by Ethernet. If your home is not pre-wired for Ethernet, this can impose a significant problem with setting up one of these types of extended networks.
If you must go with a wireless all the way, then the key to success is the proper placement of each of the base stations to ensure that the signal quality (of the base station that will be extended) will be sufficient enough at each of the extending base stations. If the signal quality is too low, the extending base station will only be able to repeat the signal at the bandwidth that it receives it ... even if it "boost" the signal.

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