Connect/Pair Two Harman Kardon Speakers Together
By Robert Jones · 2021-03-27
If you have a pair of two Harman Kardon speakers, you can
So, you've got a couple of Harman Kardon bits and bobs, maybe a couple of the Onyx Studios, or perhaps a pair of the Go + Play? And you're wondering if you can get them playing together, act like a proper stereo pair? Fair enough, it's a common question I get asked here at SpeakersMag. Years ago, it used to be a right faff to get any two speakers from different brands, or often even the same brand, to play nice wirelessly. But things have moved on a bit, haven't they? ### Can You Even Do It? Right, let's get straight to it. Yes, you *can* usually link up two Harman Kardon speakers. Not all of them, mind you, and it often depends on the exact model. Harman Kardon, like a lot of these bigger companies, sometimes has different connecting tech in different product lines. Some use what they call "True Wireless Stereo" (TWS), and others might use something slightly different, or just not have the feature at all. It's always a good idea to check your specific model's manual, or just have a quick look on their website. It'll usually tell you clear as day if it supports stereo pairing. Now, I've got a couple of the older Onyx Studio 4s in my garage, and I used to run them as a stereo pair when I was tinkering with the old Mini Cooper. Sounded pretty decent for the price, honestly. You get a much better sense of space and imaging with two separate speakers rather than trying to get one box to do everything. ### How to Get Them Talking Most of the time, the process is pretty straightforward. You're usually looking for a button on one of the speakers, often labelled "Connect" or something similar, maybe even a little chain link icon. Here's the general gist: 1. **Power 'em Up:** Make sure both your speakers are charged up and switched on. Obvious, I know, but you'd be surprised how many times people forget a simple step. 2. **Pick a Master:** Decide which one's going to be the boss. This one usually gets connected to your phone or source device first. 3. **Bluetooth Connect (Master):** Pair your main speaker to your phone, tablet, or whatever you're using for music. Get that bit working first, make sure music's playing out of it. 4. **Initiate Pairing:** Now, press the "Connect" or "TWS" button on the *master* speaker. It'll usually start flashing, looking for its mate. 5. **Join the Party:** Then, on the *second* speaker, press the same button. They should start talking to each other. You'll often hear a little chime or a voice prompt saying "speakers connected" or something similar. Lights usually change from flashing to solid too. 6. **Test It Out:** Play some music. See if it's coming out of both. Listen for the stereo separation. If you're standing between them, you should hear instruments and vocals spread out in front of you, rather than just from one point. It sounds a bit simple, and generally, it is. But sometimes, you hit a snag. ### Common Hurdles I've Seen * **Different Models:** Often, speakers need to be the *exact same model* to pair properly. You can't usually pair an Onyx Studio 5 with an Onyx Studio 6, for example. The tech just isn't perfectly compatible. * **Firmware:** Sometimes, if one speaker has much older firmware than the other, they might struggle. Worth checking if there are any updates available via the Harman Kardon app, if your model supports it. * **Distance:** Keep them reasonably close during the initial pairing. Once they're linked, they usually have a decent range, but for that first handshake, closer is better. * **Interference:** Other Bluetooth devices around can sometimes mess with the connection. Try turning off other Bluetooth gadgets temporarily if you're having trouble. * **Resetting:** If all else fails, a good old factory reset can sometimes fix things. Check your manual for how to do this for your specific model. It usually involves holding down a couple of buttons for a few seconds. ### Why Bother with Two? Honestly, it makes a huge difference. One speaker, no matter how good, is always going to be a bit limited in how it projects sound. With two, you get: * **Proper Stereo Imaging:** Music's recorded in stereo, for the most part. Having left and right channels coming from left and right speakers just sounds right. You hear the space in the recording better. * **Wider Soundstage:** The sound feels bigger, wider, more expansive. It fills a room much better than a single point source. * **More Power, Less Strain:** Two speakers working together often sound louder and less strained than one speaker trying to crank out the same volume. Each speaker is doing half the work, essentially, leading to less distortion. I've been running a pair of JBL Flip 5s (JBL is part of the Harman group, so similar tech often applies) in my office for background music when I'm writing, and the difference between one and two is night and day. It just sounds so much more engaging. ### Pros and Cons of Pairing **Pros:** * Significantly improved sound quality and stereo separation. * Wider soundstage, better room filling. * Often higher overall volume with less distortion. * More immersive listening experience. **Cons:** * Can be a bit fiddly to set up the first time. * Requires two identical, or at least compatible, speakers. * Uses up two devices, obviously. * Battery life might drain a bit quicker in stereo mode, as both are working. ### My Takeaway If you've got two compatible Harman Kardon speakers lying around, I'd highly recommend giving this a go. It really transforms the listening experience from a decent portable sound to something much closer to a proper, albeit compact, hi-fi system. Just make sure you're pairing like with like, and don't be afraid to poke around in the settings or consult that manual if things get a bit stubborn. It's usually worth the small effort, honestly. ### FAQ – Common Questions I Get **Q: Do both speakers need to be the exact same model?** A: In most cases, yes. Harman Kardon's stereo pairing technology is typically designed to work with identical models to ensure perfect synchronisation and sound quality. **Q: How far apart can I place the paired speakers?** A: Once connected, they usually maintain a good connection within typical room sizes, often up to 10-15 metres. For the best stereo effect, I'd suggest placing them a few metres apart, equidistant from your listening position. **Q: Will pairing two speakers drain the battery faster than using just one?** A: Yes, generally. Both speakers are actively working and drawing power, so you'll likely see the overall battery life reduced compared to using a single speaker, especially at higher volumes. **Q: What if I lose the connection between the two speakers?** A: Try turning both speakers off and on again. If that doesn't work, you might need to re-initiate the pairing process, starting from connecting your source device to the primary speaker. Sometimes moving them a bit closer during reconnection helps.