How to Pair JBL Audio Charge 5 Speakers Together
By Robert Jones · 2024-02-07
Robert Jones here, and I'll show you how to link two JBL Charge 5s for proper stereo sound. It's a doddle and really opens up your music – trust me, it's worth it for that immersive experience.
Right, listen up, because Robert Jones here, and we're about to get stuck into something that can genuinely transform your portable music experience. You've probably got a JBL Charge 5 knocking about – cracking bit of kit, isn't it? But if you're only running one, you're really missing a trick, especially when it comes to getting that proper, room-filling sound. Trust me on this, stereo sound makes all the difference.  *How to Pair JBL Audio Charge 5 Speakers Together — tested in the SpeakersMag workshop.* Today, we're going to sort out how to get two of these clever little beasts talking to each other, not just for a bit of extra oomph, but for proper stereo sound. It's not rocket science, mind, but there are a few nuances that can trip you up if you're not careful. Honestly, it's worth the five minutes it takes to set up for the rewards it brings. **Quick Verdict:** Pairing two JBL Charge 5s for stereo is a doddle and absolutely worth it for a much richer, more immersive sound. ### Who It's For: * Anyone who owns one JBL Charge 5 and wants more depth from their music. * People who want to improve the sound of their outdoor gatherings or parties. * Those who appreciate proper stereo imaging, even from a portable setup. * Anyone looking for a relatively inexpensive way to upgrade their portable audio experience. * Folks who already have two Charge 5s sitting around and haven't tried this yet. ### Who Should Skip It: * Those who are perfectly happy with mono sound from a single speaker. * People who genuinely only need background music and aren't fussed about quality. * If your budget is so tight you can't stretch to a second Charge 5 – though keep an eye out for sales! * If you're expecting a true high-fidelity home cinema experience; this is still portable audio, remember. ## Why Bother with Two, Eh? What's the Fuss About Stereo? Now, I know some of you are probably thinking, "One Charge 5 is loud enough for me, Robert. Why do I need another?" And fair play, a single Charge 5, on its own, punches well above its weight for a speaker its size. It's got a decent bass thump, clear mids, and enough volume to annoy the neighbours if you really push it. I've had a few of them in the workshop, flogging them for days, and they hold up brilliantly. But here's the thing: music, the way it's recorded, is meant to be heard in stereo. That means you've got a left channel and a right channel, each carrying different bits of the soundstage. When you listen to just one speaker, all those separate bits get squashed together into a single point. It's like watching a film in glorious Technicolor but only through a tiny peephole – you get the picture, but you lose all the depth and space. With two speakers, correctly separated, suddenly that music opens up. You hear instruments placed where they should be in the mix, vocals dead centre, drums spread out. It creates an *image* of the band or orchestra right there in front of you. It's not just about more volume; it's about more *music*. It's the difference between hearing a wall of sound and being able to pick out individual bricks. And for a portable setup, it's about as good as it gets without lugging around a pair of proper passive speakers and an amp. I always recommend a stereo setup if you can swing it. The soundstage it creates, even from relatively small speakers like the Charge 5, just makes the whole experience so much more engaging. You'll find yourself hearing things in tracks you've listened to a hundred times before. It's a revelation, honestly. ## The PartyBoost Palaver: A Quick Explainer Before we get our hands dirty, let's clear up the tech behind it all: JBL's "PartyBoost." If you've had JBL speakers before, you might remember "Connect+" on older models like the Charge 4 or Flip 4. PartyBoost is the newer version, and this is crucial: **PartyBoost speakers will *only* link up with other PartyBoost speakers.** You can't mix a Charge 5 with a Charge 4, for instance. They speak different languages, metaphorically speaking. PartyBoost allows you to link multiple compatible JBL speakers together. For our purposes today, that means two Charge 5s for stereo. But you could, theoretically, link up to 100 PartyBoost speakers for one hell of a racket – though I've never tried that, and I doubt my neighbours would appreciate it if I did! The main thing to remember is the compatibility. Don't go buying a Charge 5 expecting it to play nice with your old Flip 4; it just won't happen. This is a common mistake I see folks making, so thought it was worth a mention. ## Getting Started: What You'll Need Not much, thankfully! You'll just need: * **Two JBL Charge 5 speakers:** Both fully charged, or at least with enough juice to last your listening session. Nothing worse than one speaker conking out halfway through your favourite album. * **A Bluetooth-enabled device:** Your phone, tablet, laptop, whatever you use to stream your tunes. Make sure its Bluetooth is switched on. * **Your music library or streaming service:** Obviously. Couldn't have a party without the tunes, could we? That's it. No special cables, no apps you absolutely *have* to download (though the JBL Portable app can be handy for a few tweaks, we'll get to that). Simple as chips. ## Step-by-Step: Pairing Your Charge 5s for Stereo Sound Right, let's get down to brass tacks. Follow these steps, and you'll have glorious stereo in no time. I've done this countless times myself, so trust the process. ### Step 1: Power On Both Speakers Seems obvious, doesn't it? But you'd be surprised how many people overlook the basics. Press the power button on both your JBL Charge 5 speakers. You'll hear the usual JBL power-on chime, and the power indicator light should illuminate. ### Step 2: Connect One Speaker to Your Device via Bluetooth Pick one of your Charge 5s. This will be your "primary" speaker, the one that talks directly to your phone or tablet. Make sure the other speaker isn't currently connected to anything else – it's good practice to disconnect it from any previous Bluetooth pairings to avoid confusion. On your primary Charge 5, press the Bluetooth button. It's the one with the little Bluetooth logo, can't miss it. The LED indicator around the button will start flashing, meaning it's in pairing mode. Now, go to your phone or tablet's Bluetooth settings, find "JBL Charge 5" in the list of available devices, and tap to connect. You'll hear the familiar JBL connection chime when it's successfully paired, and the Bluetooth light on the speaker will go solid. At this point, you should be able to play music through just this one speaker. Give it a quick test to make sure it's all working as it should. ### Step 3: Activate PartyBoost on Both Speakers Now for the clever bit. On both your primary Charge 5 and the second Charge 5, press the "PartyBoost" button. It's the one that looks a bit like an infinity symbol or two overlapping circles. You'll hear a short tone from each speaker, and the PartyBoost buttons will illuminate and start flashing white. They're now actively looking for other PartyBoost-enabled speakers. Give them a few seconds, and you should hear another chime as they connect to each other. The PartyBoost lights on both speakers should then stop flashing and remain solid white. Congratulations! They're now linked. By default, they'll be in "Party Mode," which means both speakers are playing the full mono signal, just louder. Great for big gatherings, but not what we're after for proper stereo. ### Step 4: Switch to Stereo Mode Using the JBL Portable App (Recommended) This is where the JBL Portable app comes in really handy. While you *can* cycle through modes without it, the app makes it far simpler and gives you visual confirmation. Download it if you haven't already – it's free on iOS and Android. Open the JBL Portable app on your connected device. It should automatically detect your linked Charge 5s. You'll see an option to switch between "Party Mode" and "Stereo Mode." Tap "Stereo Mode." The app will then show you which speaker is assigned as Left and which is Right. You can even swap them over if you find the placement isn't quite right for your room. Just drag and drop them in the app. You'll instantly notice the soundstage widen and the instruments separate. ### What if I don't want to use the app? You can still switch to stereo mode, but it's a bit more fiddly and less intuitive. After the speakers have linked in PartyBoost (Step 3), simply press the PartyBoost button *again* on one of the speakers. It *should* cycle through Party Mode and Stereo Mode. Listen carefully; you might notice a subtle change in the sound. This method isn't always reliable in telling you which speaker is left or right, which is why I strongly push for using the app. Honestly, save yourself the head-scratching and just get the app. ## Troubleshooting Common Pairing Problems Things don't always go smoothly, do they? I've had my fair share of head-scratching moments with various bits of kit. Here are a few common issues and what to do about them: * **Speakers not connecting to each other:** * **Check distance:** Are they too far apart? Keep them within a few metres, especially during the initial pairing. * **Interference:** Any other Bluetooth devices nearby causing a ruckus? Try turning them off temporarily. * **Reset:** Sometimes a simple reset does the trick. Hold down the Bluetooth and volume down (-) buttons on both speakers for about 10 seconds until they power off and reset. Then try the pairing process again. * **Firmware:** Ensure both speakers have the latest firmware via the JBL Portable app. Outdated firmware can sometimes cause compatibility glitches. * **Only one speaker playing, or both in Party Mode:** * **App check:** Open the JBL Portable app. Does it show both speakers connected? Is the "Stereo Mode" option available and selected? If not, try re-linking them. * **PartyBoost button press:** If you're not using the app, try pressing the PartyBoost button on *one* of the speakers again to cycle the mode. Listen for the sound change. * **Audio dropouts or stuttering:** * **Source device distance:** Is your phone too far from the primary speaker? Keep it close. * **Obstructions:** Walls, metal objects, even bodies can interfere with Bluetooth signals. Try moving things around. * **Battery level:** Low battery can sometimes affect Bluetooth performance. Ensure both speakers are well-charged. * **Can't connect primary speaker to phone:** * **Forget device:** Go into your phone's Bluetooth settings and "forget" or "unpair" the JBL Charge 5, then try connecting again from scratch. * **Restart phone/speaker:** The classic IT solution, but often effective. ## Optimising Your Stereo Sound: Placement Matters! Just pairing them up is half the battle. To truly get the most out of your stereo Charge 5 setup, you need to think about placement. This isn't high-end hi-fi, no, but a little thought goes a long way. I've seen folks just plonk them down anywhere, and it really does impact the experience. * **Separation:** Don't put them right next to each other. For a decent stereo image, aim for at least 1.5 to 2 metres apart. Experiment a bit; a smaller room might need less separation, a larger outdoor space can handle more. * **Equal Distance:** Try to position them roughly equidistant from your main listening position. This helps with the imaging and ensures a balanced sound. Imagine an equilateral triangle with you at one point and the speakers at the other two. * **Height:** Place them at roughly ear level if you can. On a table, a shelf, or even some speaker stands if you're getting fancy. Don't stick one on the floor and one on a tall shelf; it'll sound lopsided. * **Boundaries:** Be aware of walls and corners. Placing speakers too close to a wall can boost bass (sometimes too much, making it muddy). Placing them in a corner can make the bass boomy. A bit of distance from the wall (say, 30cm or so) is usually a good starting point. * **Outdoor vs. Indoor:** Outdoors, you have fewer reflections, so you might need slightly more volume or separation to achieve the same effect. Indoors, room acoustics play a bigger role, so subtle adjustments can make a noticeable difference. Honestly, take a few minutes to move them around once they're paired. Sit in your usual listening spot and see what works best. You'll be surprised at the difference a few inches can make to the overall sound quality and stereo effect. ## The JBL Charge 5: A Quick Look at the Specs (Still Relevant!) Even though we're talking about pairing, it's worth remembering what a solid piece of kit the Charge 5 is on its own. For its size and price point (around £130-£160 depending on where you look), it's a bit of a belter. | Feature | Specification | | :------------------- | :--------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Transducer** | 52 x 90mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | | **Rated output power** | 30W RMS for woofer, 10W RMS for tweeter | | **Frequency response** | 65 Hz – 20 kHz | | **Signal-to-noise ratio** | > 80 dB | | **Battery type** | Li-ion polymer 27 Wh | | **Battery charge time** | 4 hours (5V/3A) | | **Music play time** | Up to 20 hours (depends on volume level and audio content) | | **USB charge out** | Yes (5V/2A) | | **Bluetooth® version** | 5.1 | | **Water and dust proof** | IP67 | | **Dimensions (W x H x D)** | 223 x 96.5 x 94 mm | | **Weight** | 0.96 kg | That IP67 rating is a godsend, isn't it? Means you don't have to panic if it gets splashed by the pool or caught in a bit of drizzle at a BBQ. The 20-hour battery life is genuinely impressive too, especially if you're using it to charge your phone via the USB-out port. I've relied on mine heavily during garden parties and workshop sessions, and it rarely lets me down. ## Beyond Stereo: Other PartyBoost Compatible Speakers While this article focuses on the Charge 5, it's good to know there are other JBL speakers that play nicely with PartyBoost. If you've got a mate with a Flip 6, for example, you could theoretically link your Charge 5 with their Flip 6. However, for true stereo, you'll always want two identical speakers. Mixing and matching different models in stereo mode usually results in an unbalanced sound due to their different frequency responses and power outputs. For "Party Mode" where both just play the same full-range signal, it's less of an issue, but for proper stereo, stick to a pair of Charge 5s. Some other popular JBL PartyBoost compatible speakers include: * JBL Flip 6 * JBL Pulse 5 * JBL Boombox 3 * JBL Xtreme 3 * JBL Go 3 (No, just kidding! The Go 3 is too small and doesn't have PartyBoost. Couldn't resist a laugh.) Seriously though, the Xtreme 3 and Boombox 3 are absolute beasts, and pairing two of those would likely require ear defenders for prolonged listening. Two Charge 5s strike a really good balance between portability, volume, and sound quality for stereo pairing. ## The Real-World Difference: My Own Experience I've had a pair of Charge 5s knocking about for over a year now, and I mainly use them for two things: background music in the workshop and outdoor gatherings. Honestly, the difference between one and two for the workshop is staggering. My workshop isn't tiny, probably 5 metres by 4, and one speaker just doesn't fill it properly. It sounds thin and a bit lost. But with two, separated by about 3 metres on opposite workbenches, suddenly the music has presence. It feels like it's *in* the room, not just coming from a single point. For outdoor use, say a BBQ in the garden, a single Charge 5 is okay, but it struggles to project decent bass across a wider space. Add the second, and you get a much more robust, fuller sound that carries really well. My wife even commented on how much better the music sounded at our last garden party. And she usually only notices if the bass is rattling the windows! That's a win in my book. I've tried linking them with other PartyBoost speakers, like a Flip 6, just to see what happens. For "Party Mode," it works fine, a bit more overall volume. But for stereo, the difference in character between the Charge 5 and the Flip 6 means the soundstage feels a bit lopsided. The Charge 5 has more grunt down low, so one side felt heavier than the other. Stick to two identical units for the best stereo effect, that's my advice. ## Maintaining Your Paired Speakers Just a quick word on keeping your kit in good nick. It's not just about the sound, but longevity too. * **Charging:** Always use the official JBL charger or a reputable 5V/3A power supply. Don't skimp on cheap alternatives; they can damage the battery over time. Charge both speakers fully before a big outing. * **Cleaning:** The Charge 5 is IP67, so it can handle a rinse. If it gets muddy or dusty, a quick wipe with a damp cloth or a gentle rinse under the tap is fine. Just make sure the charging port cover is securely closed. * **Storage:** If you're not using them for a while, store them in a cool, dry place. It's generally best for lithium-ion batteries to be stored at around 50-60% charge if they're going to be dormant for months. * **Firmware:** Keep an eye on the JBL Portable app for firmware updates. JBL often releases updates that improve performance, fix bugs, or even add features. It's quick and easy to do. Treat your gear well, and it'll treat you well in return. Simple as that. ## FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered ### Can I pair a JBL Charge 5 with a Charge 4? No, unfortunately not. The JBL Charge 5 uses "PartyBoost" for multi-speaker linking, while the Charge 4 uses the older "Connect+" system. They are not compatible with each other, so they won't link up. ### How many JBL Charge 5 speakers can I link together? You can link up to 100 PartyBoost-enabled JBL speakers together, though for practical purposes and true stereo sound, two Charge 5s are what you'll generally want. More than two will revert to "Party Mode" (all speakers playing the same full signal) or be very hard to set up for multi-channel audio. ### Does pairing two Charge 5s drain the battery faster? Yes, playing through two speakers will generally consume more power than just one, especially if you're playing them at higher volumes. However, each Charge 5 still has its own battery, and their individual 20-hour battery life is still quite generous. You might not hit the full 20 hours with both blasting, but you'll still get a good few hours out of them. ### Can I use the JBL Portable app to adjust EQ when paired? Yes, absolutely! Once your Charge 5s are paired and connected to the app, you can access the equalizer settings to tweak the sound to your liking. This is a brilliant feature for fine-tuning the bass, mids, and treble to suit your environment or personal preference. I always have a little fiddle with the EQ to get it just right. ### What's the optimal distance between two paired Charge 5s? For a good stereo image, aim for around 1.5 to 2.5 metres (5 to 8 feet) between the two speakers. This creates a convincing spread of sound. In smaller rooms, you might bring them a bit closer, and outdoors you can sometimes stretch them out a little further. Experiment to find what sounds best in your specific space. ## Final Word So there you have it. Linking two JBL Charge 5 speakers for proper stereo sound is a no-brainer if you've got the kit. It really does elevate the listening experience from "good portable sound" to "genuinely impressive for what it is." The instructions are straightforward, and the JBL Portable app makes light work of the setup. If you're currently only using one, I'd strongly urge you to consider getting a second, especially if you can snag one in a sale. You'll hear your music in a whole new light, with a width and depth that a single speaker just can't provide. For garden parties, workshop tunes, or just chilling out on the patio, a stereo pair of Charge 5s is a fantastic, robust, and great-sounding solution. You won't regret it, promise.