Can You Pair Bluetooth Soundbar to Other Bluetooth Speakers?

Can You Pair Bluetooth Soundbar to Other Bluetooth Speakers?

Yes, you can pair a Bluetooth soundbar to other Bluetooth speakers, but it typically requires specific brand ecosystems or external hardware like a Bluetooth transmitter. Most standard soundbars are designed as receivers (to play audio from your TV) rather than transmitters (to send audio to other speakers), so a direct “out-of-the-box” connection between two different brands is rarely possible without a workaround.

TL;DR: Key Takeaways for Quick Setup

• Brand Ecosystems: Brands like Samsung, Sony, and Sonos allow pairing via proprietary apps (e.g., SmartThings, Music Center).
• Hardware Solution: Use a 3.5mm or Optical Bluetooth Transmitter if your soundbar has an “Audio Out” port.
• Software Solution: Use Apple AirPlay 2 or Google Home to group speakers regardless of their Bluetooth status.
• Latency Warning: Mixing brands often causes audio lag (latency), which can ruin the movie-watching experience.
• The Best Method: Stick to the same manufacturer to ensure perfect sync and soundstage integration.

Understanding the “Receiver vs. Transmitter” Problem

To understand if can you pair bluetooth soundbar to other bluetooth speakers, you first need to understand how Bluetooth roles work. In my years testing home theater setups, the most common frustration comes from a misunderstanding of Bluetooth profiles.

Most soundbars use the A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) as a Sink (Receiver). This means they are built to “catch” the audio signal from your phone or TV. They are not natively built to “toss” that signal further to another speaker.

When you ask, “can you pair bluetooth speakers to sound bar,” you are essentially asking the soundbar to act as a Source (Transmitter). While high-end models from Bose or Sony have started including “Bluetooth Out” features, the vast majority of mid-range and budget models do not.

Method 1: Using Brand-Specific Ecosystems (The Easiest Way)

If you own modern equipment, the answer to can you pair bluetooth soundbar to other bluetooth speakers is often found in the manufacturer’s mobile app. Large brands have developed “Party Modes” or “Multi-room” features to bypass standard Bluetooth limitations.

Samsung (SmartThings & Group Audio)

Samsung uses the SmartThings app to bridge devices. If you have a Samsung Q-Series soundbar, you can often “Group” it with other Samsung Bluetooth speakers.

1. Open the SmartThings app.


2. Select your Soundbar.


3. Tap on “Create Group”.


4. Add your secondary Bluetooth speakers (must be Samsung-compatible).

Sony (Wireless Party Chain)

Sony is a leader in this space. Many of their soundbars and portable speakers support Wireless Party Chain or Stereo Pair. I have successfully synced a Sony HT-A7000 soundbar with two SRS-XG300 portable speakers to create a temporary surround setup.

• Pros: Perfect sync, easy setup.


• Cons: Only works within the Sony ecosystem.

Bose (SimpleSync Technology)

Bose utilizes SimpleSync to allow users to pair a Bose Smart Soundbar with Bose Bluetooth headphones or Bose Bluetooth speakers.

• Step 1: Open the Bose Music App.


• Step 2: Select your soundbar.


• Step 3: Click “Group” and find your secondary Bose speaker.

Method 2: The Hardware Workaround (Bluetooth Transmitters)

If your brands don’t match—for example, you have a Vizio soundbar and JBL speakers—you cannot pair them directly. To solve the question of can you pair bluetooth speakers to sound bar in this scenario, you need a Bluetooth 5.0 Transmitter.

How to Set Up a Bluetooth Transmitter

I recommend using a device like the 1Mii B03 or Avantree Oasis Plus. These support “Dual Link,” allowing them to stream to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously.

1. Check Ports: Ensure your soundbar has a 3.5mm Aux Out or an Optical Out (this is rare, as most ports are “In”).
2. Connect Transmitter: Plug the transmitter into the soundbar’s Output port.
3. Pairing Mode: Put your secondary Bluetooth speakers into pairing mode.
4. Sync: Hold the pairing button on the transmitter. It will “broadcast” the soundbar’s audio to the speakers.

Comparison of Connection Methods

Method 3: Software & Hub Solutions (AirPlay 2 & Chromecast)

If you are streaming music from your phone to your soundbar and want it to play on other speakers simultaneously, you don’t actually need to pair the speakers to the soundbar. Instead, you pair both to a central hub.

Using Apple AirPlay 2

If both your soundbar and your extra speakers are AirPlay 2 compatible, you can select multiple outputs on your iPhone.

• Swipe down to Control Center.


• Tap the AirPlay icon.


• Check the boxes for both the Soundbar and the Bluetooth Speaker.

Using Google Home (Chromecast Built-in)

For Android users, the Google Home app allows you to create “Speaker Groups.”

1. Open Google Home.


2. Tap the “+” icon and select “Create Speaker Group”.


3. Select your Chromecast-enabled soundbar and other speakers.


4. The audio will play in perfect sync across all devices.

The Critical Challenge: Audio Latency and Lipsync

The biggest hurdle when you try to pair bluetooth speakers to sound bar is latency. Standard Bluetooth (SBC codec) often has a delay of 100ms to 200ms.

In my testing, if the soundbar is playing through a wired HDMI connection and the extra speakers are playing via Bluetooth, the “echo” effect is unbearable for movies.

How to fix latency:

• Use aptX Low Latency (LL): Ensure both your transmitter and your speakers support the aptX LL codec.


• Adjust TV Settings: Most modern TVs (LG, Samsung, Sony) have a “Digital Audio Delay” or “Lip Sync” setting in the sound menu. You can delay the soundbar audio to match the slower Bluetooth speakers.

Can You Pair Bluetooth Soundbar to Other Bluetooth Speakers for Surround Sound?

A common question I receive is: “Can I use two random Bluetooth speakers as rear surrounds for my soundbar?”

The short answer is No.

Standard Bluetooth pairing only sends a Stereo (Left/Right) signal. To get true 5.1 or 7.1 Surround Sound, the soundbar needs to decode the signal and send specific “Rear Channel” data.

• Proprietary Rear Kits: Most brands (Samsung, LG, Vizio) sell specific Wireless Rear Speaker Kits that use a dedicated 2.4GHz wireless frequency (not Bluetooth) to ensure zero lag and proper channel separation.


• Bluetooth Limitations: If you force a connection using a transmitter, your “rear” speakers will simply play the same full-range audio as the front soundbar, creating a “Multi-room Mono/Stereo” effect rather than true surround sound.

Step-by-Step: Connecting Mixed Brands Using a Dual-Stream Hub

If you are determined to make this work with different brands, follow this exact workflow that I use for outdoor movie nights.

Required Equipment:

• Soundbar with an Aux/3.5mm Output.
• Two Bluetooth Speakers (any brand).
• Dual-Link Bluetooth 5.0 Transmitter.

The Process:

1. Power Down: Turn off Bluetooth on your phone and TV to prevent “accidental hijacking” of the signal.
2. Hardwire: Connect the Transmitter to the Soundbar’s “Audio Out” port.
3. First Pair: Put the transmitter and the first Bluetooth speaker into pairing mode. Wait for a solid light.
4. Second Pair: Press the pairing button on the transmitter again. Put the second speaker into pairing mode.
5. Test: Play audio through the soundbar. The transmitter will now “split” that audio and send it to both Bluetooth speakers simultaneously.

Expert Tips for Optimal Sound Quality

1. Bluetooth 5.0 is Mandatory: Do not use older Bluetooth 4.2 adapters. Bluetooth 5.0 offers better bandwidth and significantly less interference.
2. Line of Sight: Bluetooth signals at 2.4GHz are easily blocked by human bodies and furniture. Keep the “line of sight” clear between the soundbar/transmitter and the auxiliary speakers.
3. Disable “Power Save”: Some Bluetooth speakers turn off automatically if the volume is too low. Keep the source volume high and adjust the physical volume on the speakers themselves.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I pair a JBL speaker to a Samsung soundbar?

Not directly via Bluetooth. You must either use a Bluetooth Transmitter connected to the Samsung soundbar’s output or, if you are streaming from a phone, use a third-party app like AmpMe or AirPlay 2 to play to both simultaneously.

Why is there a delay when I pair my speakers to my soundbar?

This is caused by the processing time required to compress audio into a Bluetooth signal and decompress it at the speaker. To minimize this, use devices that support aptX Low Latency or the newer Bluetooth LE Audio standard.

Do all soundbars have Bluetooth “Out”?

No, most soundbars only have Bluetooth “In.” High-end models like the Sony HT-A5000 or Bose Smart Soundbar 900 are exceptions that feature a “Transmitter Mode” specifically designed to send audio to Bluetooth headphones or speakers.

Can I use a Bluetooth splitter?

Yes, a Bluetooth splitter (or Dual-Link Transmitter) is the most reliable way to connect multiple speakers to a single soundbar if the hardware doesn’t support it natively.