JBL’s Charge series has long been popular for its blend of robust sound, long battery life, and portable durability.
With the release of the Charge 6, many owners of older Charge 5 units have wondered: can I link my shiny new Charge 6 to my trusty Charge 5 to boost the volume and stereo separation? Read on for a complete rundown.
PartyBoost is JBL’s proprietary pairing standard introduced with the Charge 5. It allows you to wirelessly link two or more compatible JBL speakers for synchronized playback. In the Charge 6, JBL have moved away from PartyBoost and embraced Auracast instead.
Watch: Skip To Next Track On JBL Charge 6
Pair JBL Charge 6 To Charge 5
To pair two speakers, you’d normally need to ensure both are turned on and one of them is connected or paired to a device that will be playing audio. Then, you will need to press either the PartyBoost or Auracast buttons (depending on your speaker) to establish a connection.
The JBL Charge 5 features the PartyBoost button (🔗), while the Charge 6 incorporates the Auracast button, along with it’s JBL partner, the Flip 7. This, therefore means that you cannot pair the two speakers together, because of the different pairing technologies they feature.
PartyBoost speakers can only pair to other PartyBoost speakers, similar to Auracast speakers. For instance, you can pair the JBL Charge 5 to another Charge 5, JBL Flip 6 or Flip 5, etc.
To connect the JBL Charge 6 to another speaker, you will need to ensure that both feature the Auracast technology. This can be a speaker from JBL (like the Flip 7 and another Charge 6) or any other brand of speaker with Auracast technology.
Pair Speakers with PartyBoost & Auracast
To pair speakers, you need to plug in or fully charge your Charge 5 and Charge 6, then press the power button on each to turn them on.
On your smartphone (or tablet), enable Bluetooth and pair to either the Charge 5 or Charge 6—whichever comes first alphabetically in your device list.
Once you do this, press the PartyBoost or Auracast button on the already-connected speaker (you’ll hear a tone and see the PartyBoost LED flash). Within 30 seconds, press the PartyBoost or Auracast button on the second speaker. Both will flash rapidly as they find each other.
After a few seconds, the LEDs on both speakers will glow steadily, and your phone’s audio output is now blasting through two boxes.
Download and open the JBL Portable app (iOS/Android). Navigate to your paired speaker group and choose Stereo Mode, then assign Charge 5 as Left and Charge 6 as Right—or vice versa.
Why Pair Charge 6 with Charge 5?
Louder, Room-Filling Sound: Combining the output of both speakers delivers a significant bump in overall volume, ideal for outdoor gatherings or larger rooms.
True Stereo Separation: JBL’s app lets you assign one speaker as Left and the other as Right for an authentic stereo experience—vocals centered, instruments panned, and a wider soundstage.
Seamless Control: Once paired, either speaker’s controls (play/pause, volume up/down) operate both units in perfect sync.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Speakers Won’t Detect Each Other: Ensure both are within 10 meters (30 feet) of each other with no major obstacles. Power-cycle both units (turn off, then on again) and retry PartyBoost presses within 30 seconds.
Audio Out of Sync: Disconnect and re-pair in the JBL Portable app. Check for firmware updates in the app—older firmware can cause latency or pairing glitches.
Only One Speaker Plays: Verify that both speakers show as a single stereo group in Bluetooth settings. Unpair from your phone entirely, then repeat the PartyBoost or Auracast sequence without first pairing to your phone (They can sometimes link speakers independently of the phone, then you reconnect).
Tips for Best Performance
Keep Firmware Up to Date: Always run the latest firmware via the JBL Portable app to benefit from stability fixes and improved connectivity.
Optimal Placement: For true stereo, set speakers several feet apart and angled toward the listening area. Avoid placing them on metal surfaces, which can dampen bass.
Power Management: Pair a plugged-in speaker with a battery-powered one for extended party time. The Charge 6’s built-in powerbank can also recharge your phone mid-party.
Alternatives & Beyond: If you’re looking to pair more than two speakers, JBL supports party mode where up to 100 PartyBoost-compatible speakers can stream simultaneously—though for most home or small-gathering uses, two speakers strike the perfect balance of simplicity and sonic impact.
