How to connect SRS XB20 Android?

The SRS-XB20 is a portable Bluetooth speaker from Sony’s Extra Bass line. It features Sony’s XB enhanced audio with increased bass response and wireless streaming capabilities via Bluetooth.

The XB20 has an IP67 waterproof/dustproof rating so it can be used outdoors by the pool or beach without worrying about splashes or rain. It also features a durable fabric coating and included detachable strap for easy portability.

With up to 12 hours of battery life, the SRS-XB20 provides ample music playback on the go. And with its two 46mm drivers, you get big sound packed into a relatively small speaker.

The XB20 allows you to stream audio from your phone, tablet or other Bluetooth enabled device wirelessly over Bluetooth. Once paired, you can control playback functions like play/pause and volume right from the speaker.

To get the most out of your XB20 speaker, let’s go over how to properly connect it to your Android phone using Bluetooth.

Requirements

To connect the Sony SRS-XB20 speaker to an Android phone or tablet, the following requirements must be met:

• Android device running Android 4.0 or higher with Bluetooth
• Sony SRS-XB20 portable wireless speaker
• Latest Sony Music Center app installed (optional but recommended)

To enjoy the full features of the SRS-XB20 speaker, your Android device should support applicable Bluetooth profiles like A2DP for audio streaming. Most modern Android phones and tablets running Android 4.0 or later include compatible Bluetooth support

Additionally, while not required, installing the free Sony Music Center app gives you access to extra features like customizing sound modes and lighting colors.

Enable Bluetooth

The first step is to ensure Bluetooth is enabled on your Android device. To do this, open the Settings app and look for the Bluetooth or Connections section.

Tap on Bluetooth to open its settings. If Bluetooth is off, tap on the toggle switch to turn it on. The toggle should turn blue when Bluetooth is on. For some Android phones, the Bluetooth toggle switch might be located on the Quick Settings panel instead.

According to this tutorial, Bluetooth is enabled in Android Studio by default to allow for app testing and debugging over a wireless network.

So once you ensure Bluetooth is indeed on in your phone’s settings, the device will start searching for and pairing with other devices automatically.

Put Speaker in Pairing Mode

In order for another device like a smartphone to connect to the SRS XB20 via Bluetooth, the speaker needs to enter pairing mode. This lets other devices know the SRS XB20 is available and looking to connect.

To put the SRS XB20 into pairing mode, press and hold the Bluetooth button on the top of the speaker until the light flashes blue. This indicates the speaker is in pairing mode and ready to connect. As per Tom’s Tek Stop, “Starting SRS XB20 Pairing Mode with the Power / Pairing Button” is essential when wanting to pair the speaker with another device.

The SRS XB20 will be discoverable on other devices for a few minutes while in pairing mode. Within that time you can locate the speaker on your phone or tablet’s Bluetooth menu and tap to connect. Once connected, the light will turn from flashing blue to a solid white light.

Select Speaker in Phone’s Bluetooth Menu:

To select the speaker in your phone’s Bluetooth menu:

1. Open the Bluetooth settings on your Android phone. This is typically located in the Settings app.

2. Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your phone. Tap the toggle to turn it on if needed.

3. Under the list of available devices, find and tap on “SRS-XB20” to initiate pairing with the speaker.

According to this video guide, if you don’t see the speaker show up, tap the Refresh icon in your Bluetooth menu to rescan for available devices.

4. Confirm pairing if your phone prompts you. Some phones will have you confirm a numeric code or accept the connection.

5. Once successfully paired and connected, audio played on your phone will now be routed to the SRS-XB20 speaker.

Connect and Start Streaming

Once the SRS XB20 is in pairing mode and you have selected it from your phone’s Bluetooth menu, the two devices will connect. You may hear an audible notification from both devices to indicate they have paired successfully. Music and other audio you play from apps on your phone will now automatically stream to the SRS XB20 speaker. The music streaming is enabled by the Bluetooth A2DP profile.

You can start playing a song or other audio on your phone to test that it streams properly and plays through the speaker. Adjust the volume as needed on your phone and the speaker for your desired listening level. Streaming over Bluetooth provides a wireless connection up to 30+ feet between your phone and the speaker.

Adjust Volume

The volume of the SRS-XB20 speaker can be controlled using both the speaker itself and the paired Bluetooth device. The speaker has -/+ volume buttons that can be pressed to turn the volume up or down. When these hardware buttons are pressed, the power indicator will flash white once to confirm the volume adjustment [1]. The volume can also be controlled directly from the connected Bluetooth device, whether it’s a smartphone, tablet, or computer. The device’s volume controls will sync with the speaker.

Using both means of volume control allows you flexibility in adjusting the sound level whether you are next to the speaker or across the room from it. The hardware buttons provide tactile feedback, while the device controls may offer more precision and granularity. You can use whichever method is more comfortable or convenient at the moment to ensure you get the audio level just right.

LED Indicators

The SRS-XB20 has several LED light indicators that provide information about the status of the speaker:

• The power indicator lights up solid white when the speaker is turned on. It will pulse white slowly when connected via Bluetooth.
• The Bluetooth indicator flashes blue while in Bluetooth pairing mode. It stays solid blue when connected via Bluetooth.
• The battery indicator light flashes orange when the battery is low and needs charging. It lights solid orange when charging the battery.
• The Extra Bass indicator lights up solid white when Extra Bass mode is enabled to boost low-end frequencies.
• The Live Sound indicator pulses magenta in time with the music when the Live Sound feature is enabled to simulate a live music atmosphere.

If the status indicators are not displaying as expected, refer to the troubleshooting section below.

Disconnect and Reconnect

To disconnect the SRS XB20 from your current mobile device, press and hold the power button for about 2 seconds until you hear a tone. The LED indicators will flash red to confirm disconnection. To connect to a new device, follow these steps:

1. Put the SRS XB20 into pairing mode by pressing and holding the Bluetooth button for 2 seconds until you hear a tone. The LED indicators will flash blue.
2. On your new mobile device, go to Bluetooth settings and make sure Bluetooth is enabled.
3. Select SRS-XB20 in the list of available devices to connect.

Once successfully connected, you will hear a tone and the LED indicators will display solid blue. You can now start streaming audio from your newly connected device. The SRS XB20 will automatically disconnect from previously paired devices when connecting to a new one.

If the SRS XB20 is out of range for more than 5 minutes, the Bluetooth connection will automatically terminate. To reconnect, manually pair the speaker again through your device’s Bluetooth menu. The speaker will remember previous pairings if preforming a manual reconnect.

Troubleshooting

If you are having issues connecting the SRS XB20 to your Android device via Bluetooth, there are some common solutions to try:

First, make sure Bluetooth is enabled on both your Android device and the speaker. Toggle Bluetooth off and back on to refresh the connection. Also ensure the speaker is in pairing mode so your device can discover it (according to dell.com).

If the speaker does not show up in your Android Bluetooth settings, try unpairing the speaker completely, then putting it back in pairing mode and searching again. You may need to delete the speaker from your Android’s paired devices list and start fresh.

Check that the Android and speaker are within 30 feet of each other. Bluetooth has limited range, so distance can disrupt the connection. Make sure there are no obstructions between the two devices.

If intermittent disconnections occur, try clearing the Android device’s cache partition or rebooting it completely (according to system76.com). This refreshes the Bluetooth connections and can resolve buggy behavior.

As a last resort, check for Android and speaker firmware updates which may improve Bluetooth connectivity. If issues persist, contact the device manufacturers for further troubleshooting.