JBL makes some of the most popular portable speakers around, but it can be hard to understand the differences between its JBL PartyBoost and Connect+ speakers. Not all JBL speakers can connect. Let us guide you through how to hook up multiple JBL speakers. Your next party will be up and running in no time.
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Make sure your JBL speakers are compatible with one another before connecting them. JBL Connect+ speakers only connect to other Connect+ speakers. Likewise, JBL PartyBoost speakers only connect with PartyBoost speakers.
To pair compatible JBL speakers together, you need to pair a primary JBL speaker to your phone. Then press the Connect buttons on all other speakers you want to activate. Download the JBL Portable app to alternate between Party and Stereo modes.
JUMP TO KEY SECTIONS
- Which JBL speakers can connect to each other?
- How to connect multiple JBL speakers together
- What is JBL PartyBoost?
- What is JBL Connect+?
- How to disconnect speakers from JBL Connect+ and PartyBoost
Which JBL speakers can connect to each other?
Ryan Haines / Android Authority
JBL PartyBoost speakers can only connect with other JBL PartyBoost speakers — the same goes for Connect+ speakers. This means you cannot connect a JBL Flip 6 and Flip 4 together, despite being under the same Flip line. The former uses PartyBoost, while the latter uses Connect+. You can connect a Flip 6 to the Flip 5, though, since these both use the PartyBoost standard. Likewise for the JBL Charge 3 and Flip 4 Connect+ speakers.
Here’s a list of compatible JBL PartyBoost and Connect+ speakers.
| JBL PartyBoost | JBL Connect+ | |
|---|---|---|
Model | JBL PartyBoost JBL Boombox 2 | JBL Connect+ JBL Boombox |
Maximum number of speakers | JBL PartyBoost 100 | JBL Connect+ 100 |
Listening modes | JBL PartyBoost Stereo | JBL Connect+ Stereo |
Compatability | JBL PartyBoost Only compatible with PartyBoost speakers | JBL Connect+ Only compatible with Connect+ speakers |
App | JBL PartyBoost JBL Portable (Android/iOS) | JBL Connect+ JBL Portable (Android/iOS) |
How to connect JBL speakers together
To connect two or more JBL PartyBoost speakers, download the JBL Portable app. Then, follow these steps:
- Connect your phone to a JBL PartyBoost speaker. This will be the primary speaker.
- To pair the speaker to your phone, press the speaker’s Bluetooth button.
- On your phone, follow Settings > Connected devices > Pair new device (the exact path varies by phone).
- Tap the name of your JBL speaker.
- Press the Connect button on all the subsequent speakers you want to connect.
- It will take up to 30 seconds for all speakers to connect.
- Open the JBL Portable app and choose between Stereo or Party mode.
For JBL Connect+ speakers, download the JBL Portable app. This gives you control of your speaker network. To connect multiple JBL speakers with Connect+, follow these instructions:
- Establish a connection between the primary JBL speaker and your phone.
- To pair a JBL speaker to your phone, press the Bluetooth button.
- On your phone, follow Settings > Connected devices > Pair new device.
- Tap the name of the designated JBL Connect+ speaker.
- Play music through one of the speakers.
- Press the Connect button for all of the speakers you wish to link together.
- It shouldn’t take longer than 30 seconds to complete the connection.
- Launch the JBL Portable app and select Stereo or Party mode.
What is JBL PartyBoost?
Ryan Haines / Android Authority
JBL PartyBoost is the company’s current standard for daisy-chaining Bluetooth speakers together. JBL PartyBoost is the newer version of JBL Connect+. You can connect up to 100 PartyBoost speakers for thunderous sound, or keep it simple with a two-speaker stereo setup. Party mode is great for family gatherings if everyone has a modern JBL speaker.
You can manage your speakers in the JBL Portable app. This makes it easy to alternate between Party and Stereo mode. Here, you can dictate the left and right channels. The Portable app also lets you customize the EQ of certain speakers, toggle a feedback tone on/off, and update the firmware. For speakers like the Pulse series, Portable app users can customize the Light Show mode, too.
What is JBL Connect+?
JBL Connect+ is the company’s previous standard for connecting its Bluetooth speakers. Like PartyBoost, Connect+ supports the simultaneous use of up to 100 speakers. In the Portable app, you can choose between Party and Stereo mode. The app lets you assign a left and right channel to each speaker for Stereo mode.
JBL Connect+ and PartyBoost speakers are not cross-compatible.
You can connect up to 100 wireless JBL speakers, but they must all work with the Connect+ standard. PartyBoost and Connect+ are the same, but they are not cross-compatible.
How to disconnect speakers from JBL Connect+ and PartyBoost
To disconnect a single JBL speaker from PartyBoost or Connect+, press the Power button. This won’t disturb the rest of the active JBL speakers. Disconnecting a single speaker makes sense when one friend is leaving the party early and wants to take their speaker home.
To disconnect all speakers from the PartyBoost or Connect+ network, press the Connect button on the primary speaker.
Top JBL speaker questions and answers
Provided the two JBL speakers you plan on connecting support the company’s PartyBoost feature, you can connect them together. You can also pair two older JBL speakers that support Connect+, although these cannot be paired with newer JBL speakers that use Partyboost.
Your JBL speakers may not be connecting if they are not compatible with one another. Remember: you can’t connect a JBL PartyBoost speaker to a Connect+ speaker. See our list of compatible JBL speakers.
If the speakers are compatible with one another but still aren’t connecting, check to make sure it’s fully charged. If the speakers still can’t connect, you may need to perform a hard reset. To reset your JBL speaker:
- Press the power button to turn your speaker on.
- Press and hold the volume up and playbuttons.
- The LED will glow to indicate a successful reset.
Unfortunately, the JBL Go 2 does not support Connect+ or the company’s PartyBoost feature to be connected to other speakers.
To pair two wireless JBL speakers together, download the JBL Portable app and connect your phone to a JBL PartyBoost speaker. This can be done by pressing the speaker’s Bluetooth button and navigating to Settings > Connected devices > Pair new device on your mobile (the exact path varies by phone.) Tap the name of your JBL speaker, and press the Connect button on all the subsequent speakers you want to connect. It will take up to 30 seconds for all speakers to connect. Open the JBL Portable app and choose between Stereo or Party mode.
When powering your JBL speaker for the first time, it will automatically enter pairing mode. Otherwise, press the power button followed by a single press to the Bluetooth button.
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