Can I use the Bluetooth speakers as a microphone and use it during a phone call?

Many modern Bluetooth speakers have a built-in microphone that allows you to use the speaker as a speakerphone for phone calls. This can be a convenient feature, as it allows you to have hands-free conversations without needing to hold your phone up to your ear. The microphone picks up your voice and transmits it to the person on the other end of the call through the Bluetooth connection between your phone and speaker. In this way, Bluetooth speakers with microphones can function as speakerphones in addition to their main purpose of playing audio from your phone or other Bluetooth device.

In this article, we’ll look at how to use your Bluetooth speaker as a microphone for phone calls, including pairing it with your phone, enabling speakerphone mode, optimizing microphone placement, and troubleshooting any issues that arise.

How Bluetooth Speakers Work

Bluetooth speakers use Bluetooth wireless technology to connect to audio sources like smartphones, tablets, and computers in order to play audio and music without wires. Bluetooth uses radio waves to transmit data between devices, allowing Bluetooth speakers to connect to Bluetooth-enabled source devices that are within range (usually 30-50 feet).

When connecting via Bluetooth, the speaker acts as the receiving device while the source acts as the transmitting device. The source device’s Bluetooth antenna converts the audio signal into a radio signal, which is transmitted wirelessly to the speaker. The speaker then receives and converts this signal back into an audio signal using its own antenna and speakers to play the sound. This allows the audio transmission to happen seamlessly without wired connections.

The Bluetooth connection between devices operates on a specific frequency band of 2.4 to 2.485 GHz. When a Bluetooth speaker is powered on, it repeatedly scans this frequency band for a possible source device trying to pair and connect. The source device sends out this pairing request signal, allowing the two devices to establish a secure, encrypted wireless link. Once paired, the audio data can stream continuously via Bluetooth until disconnected.

Sources:

https://www.thehouseofmarley.com/blog/how-do-bluetooth-speakers-work/

https://www.dossaudio.com/blogs/news/what-is-wireless-bluetooth-speaker

Microphone Capabilities

Many Bluetooth speakers have built-in microphones that allow you to use the speaker for phone calls in addition to playing music. The microphone enables the Bluetooth speaker to function as a speakerphone, picking up your voice during calls so you can have hands-free conversations (https://www.amazon.com/bluetooth-microphone-speaker/s?k=bluetooth+microphone+and+speaker). The quality of the built-in microphone varies between models. Some speakers have omnidirectional microphones that pick up sound from all directions, while others have unidirectional mics that focus on capturing sound from a specific direction.

When shopping for a Bluetooth speaker with microphone capabilities, look for ones that advertise speakerphone, microphone, or call features. The product descriptions typically specify if a built-in microphone is included. Higher-end models often have superior microphone quality for conducting calls. Additionally, some speakers come with external microphone attachments to enhance the mic pickup during calls.

Before purchasing a Bluetooth speaker for speakerphone use, check reviews to confirm the microphone quality is sufficient for phone conversations. The mic needs to effectively pick up your voice and minimize background noise for a smooth call experience.

Using Speakerphone Mode

Many Bluetooth speakers have a built-in microphone that allows you to use the speaker as a speakerphone for phone calls. To enable this feature, you first need to pair your phone with the Bluetooth speaker (see Pairing Process section).

Once paired, turn on the speakerphone mode on your phone during a call. On an iPhone, tap the “Speaker” icon during a call. On Android, tap the “Speakerphone” icon. This routes the phone’s microphone and speaker to use the external Bluetooth device instead of the phone’s built-in microphone and speaker.

The speakerphone mode essentially turns the Bluetooth speaker into a microphone to pick up your voice during calls. The other party will hear your voice transmitted through the Bluetooth connection from the speaker’s microphone rather than the phone’s mic. This generally provides much clearer voice quality.

For example, the JBL Flip 5 and many other Bluetooth speakers include built-in microphones that enable speakerphone use. Just pair with your phone and enable speakerphone mode during calls to use the superior external microphone.

Pairing Process

The process for pairing a Bluetooth speaker to your smartphone is relatively straightforward. The first step is to turn on your Bluetooth speaker and put it into pairing mode – this usually involves pressing and holding a dedicated Bluetooth or pairing button on the speaker for a few seconds until an indicator light flashes. Refer to your speaker’s manual for specific pairing instructions.

Next, unlock your phone and open the Settings app. On an iPhone, go to Bluetooth and toggle it on if it’s not already enabled. Your phone will then start scanning for available Bluetooth devices. On Android phones, go to Connected Devices > Bluetooth and turn on Bluetooth if needed. Your phone should begin searching for Bluetooth devices at this point.

Once your speaker shows up in the list of available devices, simply tap on its name to initiate pairing. You may need to confirm pairing on both your phone and the speaker. Some speakers have a pairing code or pin that you need to enter on your phone to complete the process. Refer to your speaker’s instructions if you’re promped for a pin during pairing.

That’s all there is to it! Once successfully paired, your phone and Bluetooth speaker will automatically connect whenever they are powered on and in range without needing to redo the pairing process.

Testing the Microphone

The most important way to test a Bluetooth speaker’s microphone capabilities is by making actual calls. This allows you to check the mic quality in real-world conditions. When testing:

Make calls to friends using different speaker models to compare audio quality. Ask them how clearly they can hear you.

Try calls in different room environments – does background noise get picked up? Test near windows, in echoey rooms, outdoors, etc.
Check volume levels – is your voice too quiet even when speaking right into the speaker? Is the volume too loud causing distortion?
Note the microphone pickup range – how close do you need to be for it to detect your voice? Is it still clear from several feet away?

Try different Bluetooth connections – computer, smartphone, tablet. Is call quality consistent?

Making live test calls provides real evidence of how usable the Bluetooth speaker’s microphone will be. Prioritize speakers that provide clear, audible, and consistent call quality before purchasing.

Optimizing Placement

Proper placement of the Bluetooth speaker is crucial for optimizing it as a microphone for phone calls. Here are some tips for getting the best microphone pickup:

Position the speaker close to your mouth, around 6-12 inches away, for optimal voice pickup. This allows the microphone to best capture your voice.^[1]

Angle the speaker towards your mouth. Pointing it directly at you helps focus the microphone on your voice.^[2]

Avoid positioning the speaker behind you, as this makes it harder for the microphone to pick up your voice clearly.

Test different positions to find the optimal spot that maximizes voice pickup and minimizes ambient noise. Adjust the placement as needed during calls.

Consider mounting options like clips or stands to securely position the speaker for best performance. This prevents having to hold it and allows optimal placement.

Troubleshooting

If you are experiencing issues with the Bluetooth speaker microphone, there are some troubleshooting steps to try:

Check that the speaker and phone are properly paired according to the device instructions. Try unpairing and repairing the devices (Dell). Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on both devices.

Test the microphone in a different app like Voice Recorder to isolate the issue. The problem may be app specific.

Check microphone access settings and make sure the app has permission to use the mic. Disable and re-enable permission if needed.

Adjust placement and positioning of the speaker to optimize microphone pickup. The mic may have trouble at a distance or obstructed (Instructables).

Update the device firmware and software in case of a bug causing microphone malfunction.

As a last resort, reset the speaker to factory default settings in case the configuration is corrupted.

Limitations

While using Bluetooth speakers as a microphone for phone calls is convenient, there are some limitations to be aware of:

The built-in microphone may not work as well in noisy environments. Bluetooth speakers are designed mainly for music playback and not as high-quality microphones. They may struggle to isolate your voice in environments with lots of background noise like public places or construction sites. An external dedicated microphone may perform better in these situations (1).

Bluetooth connectivity introduces latency and compression that can reduce sound quality, especially for real-time applications like phone calls. The audio transmission over Bluetooth is compressed to conserve bandwidth, which can make voices sound less natural. There is also latency of around 100-200 ms caused by encoding/decoding that can create echos in calls (2).

The microphone’s location on the speaker can result in suboptimal voice pickup if the orientation or position isn’t ideal. Speakerphone modes often pick up better audio when the speaker is placed horizontally on a flat surface rather than vertically. Testing different positions may help improve voice pickup (3).

Conclusions

In summary, while many Bluetooth speakers do have built-in microphones that allow them to be used for speakerphone capabilities, the results can vary greatly depending on the specific model. Factors like microphone sensitivity, noise cancellation, and overall audio quality will impact how well the speakers can pick up your voice during calls.

If you plan to use your Bluetooth speaker as a microphone regularly, look for ones marketed specifically with speakerphone or call features. Test models out before purchasing if possible, and ensure voice pickup quality meets your needs. Proper microphone placement is also key for optimal performance.

While using a Bluetooth speaker as a microphone isn’t always ideal, it can provide a handy alternative in a pinch if needed. Just keep expectations realistic based on the speaker’s design and microphone capabilities. For daily speakerphone usage, dedicate conference speakerphones or headsets may provide better overall performance and reliability.