If you're looking to pump up the volume on your Bluetooth speaker, you're not alone. Many of us have experienced the frustration of a speaker that just doesn't seem loud enough. Fortunately, there are several tricks you can try to make your Bluetooth speaker louder and enjoy your music (and home theater content) with a boost.
To make your Bluetooth speaker louder, ensure it's fully charged and placed optimally, preferably in a corner or against a wall. Note that volume issues could be at the speaker or the streaming source, so you may need to equalize volume on your smartphone or connected device directly.
From simple hacks to more complex solutions, we'll provide step-by-step instructions on how to make your Bluetooth speaker louder below, starting off with a quick recap of how Bluetooth speakers work so you can understand all of our technical recommendations.
Understanding the Basics of Bluetooth Speakers
When it comes to listening to music, Bluetooth speakers have become a popular choice for their wireless convenience and portability. Bluetooth speakers are wireless speakers that connect to your device via Bluetooth technology. They are also known as portable speakers, which means you can take them anywhere with you, whether it's to the beach, park, or even on a hike. If you have one laying around, you may even be able to wrap it into your home theater audio setup.
Bluetooth speakers come in various shapes, sizes, and designs, but they all work in the same way. They receive sound signals wirelessly from any Bluetooth-enabled device, such as smartphones, tablets, or laptops. The sound is then amplified and played through the speaker. They fail in interesting ways too, with some users reporting the speakers being too loud.
It's important to note that Bluetooth speakers pick up the settings from their source. Therefore, if you're experiencing low volume or poor sound quality, it may be due to the settings on your device. For example, if you're connecting your Bluetooth speaker to a PC or Android device, you may need to adjust some settings to optimize the sound quality. But, how do you make them louder?
How To Make Your Bluetooth Speaker Louder
If you want to get the most out of your Bluetooth speaker, here are the things you can do to make them louder.
Maximizing the Volume on the Speaker and the Source
The first step in making your Bluetooth speaker louder is to increase the volume on both the speaker and the connected device. Make sure that both the volume levels are set to their maximum levels. This seems simple, but in many cases it's simply that the volume is too low on one of the connected devices or the speaker!
iOS and Android Connections
For iOS connections to a speaker, you can also go to Settings > Music > EQ and turn off “Late Night” or “Spoken Word” to get a boost in volume. Otherwise, the phone's volume controls should work properly with a Bluetooth connection to the speaker.
If you're connecting your Bluetooth speaker to an Android device, you may notice that the volume is not as loud as you would like it to be. This is because of a feature called Absolute Volume, which limits the maximum volume of the Bluetooth device. To disable Absolute Volume, go to Settings > Developer Options > Networking > Disable Absolute Volume. This will allow you to increase the volume on your Bluetooth speaker beyond the default limit.
PC Connections: Equalizing the Volume On The PC
If you're connecting your Bluetooth speaker to a PC, you may notice that the volume is not as loud as you would like it to be. Here's a forum discussing the issue. This happens because the volume on your PC is not optimized for your Bluetooth speaker. To equalize the volume on your PC, follow these steps:
- Go to “Control Panel”.
- Click on “Sound”.
- Make sure you are on the “Playback” tab.
- Click on the device you are trying to fix.
- Now click the “Configure” button and follow the prompts. (Be sure you also click the “Test” button.)
- Once that is complete, click the “Properties” button.
- When you are done with your changes, in “Properties”, click “Apply” and then “OK”.
- Then click “OK”, again, on the main “Sound window”.
Optimizing Speaker Placement
The placement of your Bluetooth speaker can have a big impact on its overall volume. To get the most out of your speaker, try placing it on a hard surface, such as a table or countertop, rather than a soft surface like a bed or sofa. This will help to amplify the sound and make it louder. Additionally, try placing your speaker in a corner or against a wall to help reflect the sound and make it even louder.
Forget and Re-Pair
It sounds silly, but forgetting the speaker from the device's bluetooth connections and re-pairing it is a tried and true tactic that clears this volume issue for some users. Navigate to your devices bluetooth connections to “forget” the speaker, then put the speaker in pairing mode and re-connect it.
Leveraging Multiple Bluetooth Speakers
When it comes to increasing the volume of your Bluetooth speaker, using multiple speakers can be a game-changer. By connecting two or more speakers, you can create a more immersive sound experience and fill a larger area with sound.
To leverage multiple Bluetooth speakers, you will need to ensure that all of your speakers are compatible with each other and can be connected simultaneously. Some speakers come with a “party mode” feature that allows you to connect multiple speakers wirelessly. For example, the JBL Flip 5 (on Amazon), perhaps absurdly, allows you to connect up to 100 JBL speakers together.
Another way to connect multiple speakers is by using a splitter cable. This cable allows you to connect two speakers to the same Bluetooth audio source. However, keep in mind that this method may not be as effective as using speakers with party mode. And you'll want to have a look at our article on Connecting Multiple Bluetooth Devices To One Smartphone if you're trying to do this!
When using multiple speakers, it is important to position them strategically to ensure that sound is distributed evenly. Placing the speakers in different corners of the room can help create a surround sound effect.
Using External Amplifiers with Bluetooth Speakers (Not Recommended)
You can also consider using an external amplifier. An external amplifier is a device that can increase the power of the audio signal that goes to your speaker. This can lead to a significant boost in volume and clarity.
When you connect an external amplifier to your Bluetooth speaker, you can expect to get a more powerful sound that can fill up a larger space. This is especially useful when you're hosting a party or an event and need to amplify the sound to a larger audience. An external amplifier can also help to improve the overall sound quality and bass response of your speaker.
But this can get pretty complicated. You'll not only need to use a Bluetooth transmitter and receiver in order to route the audio somewhere upstream of the amplifier. Then, the amplifier will need to be wired to the speaker, sidestepping the Bluetooth functionality.
So, to be clear, we don't recommend this. If you need an amp, then you probably want to be dealing with wired speakers anyhow! The low-volume Bluetooth speaker just isn't enough for you.
Tips for Preserving Sound Quality at High Volumes
When it comes to making your Bluetooth speaker louder, you might be tempted to crank up the volume to the highest level possible. However, this can lead to distorted sound and even damage to your speaker. Here are some tips for preserving sound quality at high volumes:
- Use an EQ app: Many Bluetooth speakers come with an EQ app that allows you to adjust the sound settings. Use this app to adjust the bass, treble, and other settings to your liking. This can help prevent distortion and improve sound quality.
- Keep your speaker away from walls: Placing your speaker too close to walls can cause the sound to bounce back and create echoes. This can lead to a loss of sound quality and make it harder to hear your music. Keep your speaker at least a few feet away from walls to prevent this from happening.
- Avoid using cheap cables: Using cheap cables to connect your speaker to your device can lead to poor sound quality. Invest in high-quality cables that can handle the high volume levels without causing distortion or other issues.
- Take breaks: It's important to take breaks when listening to music at high volumes. This can help prevent damage to your ears and improve overall sound quality. Try to take a break every 20-30 minutes to give your ears a rest.
Can You Hear Me Now?
So, there are several ways to make your Bluetooth speaker louder. By adjusting the EQ settings in the connected device, or by managing volume controls directly, you can increase the volume of your speaker and enjoy your music at a higher volume. If none of these tricks work, you may have to accept the inevitable: that your Bluetooth speaker is simply too small.
