Sony SRS-XB40 Reference guide

Help Guide
Wireless Speaker
SRS-XB40
The following explains how to use this speaker. Select a topic from the navigation pane.
Getting Started
What you can do with the speaker
Parts and controls
Power source
Connecting to an AC outlet
Turning the power on
Turning the power off
Using the BLUETOOTH standby function
Charging USB devices such as smartphones
Auto power off function

Switching the auto power off function
Making connections
How to make a wireless connection with BLUETOOTH devices
BLUETOOTH
Pairing and connecting with a BLUETOOTH device
Connecting with a paired BLUETOOTH device
Connecting with an NFC-compatible device by One-touch (NFC)
Disconnecting the NFC-compatible device by One-touch (NFC)
Switching devices by One-touch (NFC)
Pairing and connecting with a computer (Windows 10)
Pairing and connecting with a computer (Windows 8)
Pairing and connecting with a computer (Windows 7)
Connecting with a paired computer (Windows 10)
Connecting with a paired computer (Windows 8)
Connecting with a paired computer (Windows 7)
Listening to music
BLUETOOTH device
Listening to music of a device via BLUETOOTH connection
Selecting the BLUETOOTH audio streaming playback quality (Codec)
Terminating the BLUETOOTH connection (After use)
Switching the BLUETOOTH devices connected at the same time (Multipoint connection)
Speaker Add function
Listening to music wirelessly with two speakers (Speaker Add function)
Switching between double mode and stereo mode (Speaker Add function)
Terminating the Speaker Add function
Terminating the BLUETOOTH connection (After use)
Wireless Party Chain function
Enjoying wireless playback using multiple speakers (Wireless Party Chain function)

Terminating the Wireless Party Chain function
Listening to music of a portable audio device, etc.
Enjoying EXTRA BASS
Phone calls
Receiving a call
Making a call
Terminating the BLUETOOTH connection (After use)
Using SongPal
What you can do with SongPal
Installing SongPal
Using Fiestable
What you can do with Fiestable
Installing Fiestable
Using the voice assist function
Using the voice assist function (Google app)
Using the voice assist function (Siri)
Information
About the indicators
Notes on use
Precautions
Notes on charging
Notes on water resistant feature
How to care for the speaker when wet
What is BLUETOOTH wireless technology?
What is LDAC?
Customer support websites
Troubleshooting
What can I do to solve a problem?

4-694-133-11(2) Copyright 2017 Sony Corporation
Power supply
Unable to turn on the speaker or charge the built-in battery
The power suddenly turns off
Sound
No sound/Sound from only one speaker/Low sound level/Distorted sound/Humming or noise in the speaker output/No voice or low voice from
callers
Sound becomes low while in use
BLUETOOTH
Unable to pair the speaker with a BLUETOOTH device
Unable to connect the speaker to a BLUETOOTH device with One-touch connection (NFC)
Unable to connect a BLUETOOTH device with the speaker in the Speaker Add function
Unable to connect with a speaker in the Wireless Party Chain function
Reset
Using the RESET button
Initializing the speaker

Table Of Contents
Wireless Speaker SRS-XB40 Help Guide i.......................................................................................
Getting Started i.................................................................................................................................
What you can do with the speaker 1.................................................................................................
Parts and controls 2...........................................................................................................................
Power source i...................................................................................................................................
Connecting to an AC outlet 4.......................................................................................................
Turning the power on 6................................................................................................................
Turning the power off 7................................................................................................................
Using the BLUETOOTH standby function 8................................................................................
Charging USB devices such as smartphones 11........................................................................
Auto power off function 13...........................................................................................................
Switching the auto power off function 14.....................................................................................
Making connections ii........................................................................................................................
How to make a wireless connection with BLUETOOTH devices 15..................................................
BLUETOOTH ii..................................................................................................................................
Pairing and connecting with a BLUETOOTH device 17..............................................................
Connecting with a paired BLUETOOTH device 20......................................................................
Connecting with an NFC-compatible device by One-touch (NFC) 22.........................................
Disconnecting the NFC-compatible device by One-touch (NFC) 25...........................................
Switching devices by One-touch (NFC) 26..................................................................................
Pairing and connecting with a computer (Windows 10) 27..........................................................
Pairing and connecting with a computer (Windows 8) 31............................................................
Pairing and connecting with a computer (Windows 7) 39............................................................
Connecting with a paired computer (Windows 10) 44.................................................................
Connecting with a paired computer (Windows 8) 47...................................................................
Connecting with a paired computer (Windows 7) 52...................................................................
Listening to music ii...........................................................................................................................
BLUETOOTH device ii.......................................................................................................................
Listening to music of a device via BLUETOOTH connection 56.................................................
Selecting the BLUETOOTH audio streaming playback quality (Codec) 59.................................
Terminating the BLUETOOTH connection (After use) 61...........................................................
Switching the BLUETOOTH devices connected at the same time (Multipoint
connection) 62.............................................................................................................................
Speaker Add function ii......................................................................................................................
Listening to music wirelessly with two speakers (Speaker Add function) 64...............................
Switching between double mode and stereo mode (Speaker Add function) 68..........................
Terminating the Speaker Add function 70...................................................................................
Wireless Party Chain function ii.........................................................................................................
TOC-1

Enjoying wireless playback using multiple speakers (Wireless Party Chain
function) 71..................................................................................................................................
Terminating the Wireless Party Chain function 74......................................................................
Listening to music of a portable audio device, etc. 75.......................................................................
Enjoying EXTRA BASS 78................................................................................................................
Phone calls iii.....................................................................................................................................
Receiving a call 79............................................................................................................................
Making a call 82.................................................................................................................................
Terminating the BLUETOOTH connection (After use) 61.................................................................
Using SongPal iii...............................................................................................................................
What you can do with SongPal 85.....................................................................................................
Installing SongPal 86.........................................................................................................................
Using Fiestable iii..............................................................................................................................
What you can do with Fiestable 87....................................................................................................
Installing Fiestable 88........................................................................................................................
Using the voice assist function iii.......................................................................................................
Using the voice assist function (Google app) 89...............................................................................
Using the voice assist function (Siri) 91.............................................................................................
Information iii.....................................................................................................................................
About the indicators 92......................................................................................................................
Notes on use iii..................................................................................................................................
Precautions 94.............................................................................................................................
Notes on charging 96..................................................................................................................
Notes on water resistant feature 97.............................................................................................
How to care for the speaker when wet 99...................................................................................
What is BLUETOOTH wireless technology? 100........................................................................
What is LDAC? 102.....................................................................................................................
Customer support websites 103........................................................................................................
Troubleshooting iii.............................................................................................................................
What can I do to solve a problem? 104.............................................................................................
Power supply iv.................................................................................................................................
Unable to turn on the speaker or charge the built-in battery 105................................................
The power suddenly turns off 106...............................................................................................
Sound iv.............................................................................................................................................
No sound/Sound from only one speaker/Low sound level/Distorted sound/
Humming or noise in the speaker output/No voice or low voice from callers 107.......................
Sound becomes low while in use 108.........................................................................................
BLUETOOTH iv.................................................................................................................................
Unable to pair the speaker with a BLUETOOTH device 109.......................................................
Unable to connect the speaker to a BLUETOOTH device with One-touch
TOC-2

Unable to connect the speaker to a BLUETOOTH device with One-touch
connection (NFC) 110.................................................................................................................
Unable to connect a BLUETOOTH device with the speaker in the Speaker
Add function 111..........................................................................................................................
Unable to connect with a speaker in the Wireless Party Chain function 112..............................
Reset iv..............................................................................................................................................
Using the RESET button 113......................................................................................................
SRS-XB40 | Help Guide | Initializing the speaker 114.................................................................
TOC-3

Help Guide
Wireless Speaker
SRS-XB40
What you can do with the speaker
One-touch connection (NFC)
BLUETOOTH®Ver. 4.2
Compatible BLUETOOTH profiles*1: A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP, SPP
By connecting the speaker with a smartphone via BLUETOOTH, you can talk hands-free using the built-in microphone and
speaker.
“Noise suppression” and “Echo cancellation” enable phone calls with high-quality sound.
Noise suppression: Noise picked up by the speaker is suppressed, so the caller will hear your voice with less noise.
Echo cancellation: By reducing sound from the speaker picked up by the speaker microphone, echoes generated by the
caller’s phone will be suppressed.
You can enjoy up to about 24 hours*2*3 of continuous wireless music playback with the built-in lithium ion rechargeable
battery.
BLUETOOTH standby function
By using the AUDIO IN jack (external input jack), you can enjoy music of portable audio devices, etc.
By connecting two SRS-XB40 speakers via BLUETOOTH, you can play audio in either stereo mode (stereo sound) or double
mode.
By combining up to 10 devices compatible with the Wireless Party Chain function, you can enjoy music at the same time.
Charging the speaker by connecting the AC adaptor supplied.
You can charge a USB device such as smartphone by connecting it to the DC OUT ONLY port (USB) of the speaker via a
USB cable.
Activating the lighting in synchronization with music.
Depending on the status of the system, the voice guidance outputs from the speaker as followings.
When setting the system to the pairing mode; “Bluetooth pairing”
When pressing and holding the (call) button to check the battery power during the system is turned on; “Fully
charged/About 70%/About 50%/About 20%/Please charge”
When the battery power is low; “Please charge”
When changing the L/R on SongPal during the Speaker Add function; “Left/Right”
The speaker has a water resistant specification*4*5 of IPX5*6 as specified in “Degrees of protection against ingress of water” of
the IEC60529 “Ingress Protection Rating (IP Code).”
Easy operation from your smartphone and tablet*7
BLUETOOTH standard profiles indicate the purpose of BLUETOOTH communication between devices.
*1 The battery life may vary depending on the ambient temperature or conditions of use. The method of estimating the battery life has been changed since
2015.
*2
When using a specified music source, sending music at the maximum volume level from a BLUETOOTH device, setting the volume level of the
speaker to 19, and turning off the lighting. If the volume level of the speaker is set to maximum, the usage life will be approx. 4 hours.
*3
Requires that the cap is fastened securely.
*4 The supplied accessories are not water resistant.
*5 IPX5 (Degree of protection against jets of water): The system has been tested and found to remain functional after exposure to direct jet streams of
water using a nozzle of 6.3 mm (about 1/4 in) internal diameter from any direction where approximately 12.5 L/ min of water is applied for a period of
more than 3 minutes from a distance of about 3 meters (about 10 ft).
*6
When using the dedicated app “SongPal.”
*7
1

Help Guide
Wireless Speaker
SRS-XB40
Parts and controls
(power) PAIRING button/indicator
1. CHARGE indicator
2. (BLUETOOTH) indicator
3. –/+ (volume) buttons
4. L(left)/R(right) indicators
5. ADD button
6. (play) button
7. (call) BATT (battery) button
8. EXTRA BASS LIGHT button/indicator
9.
2

Related Topic
About the indicators
4-694-133-11(2) Copyright 2017 Sony Corporation
The lighting built in the speaker is turned on/off when you press and hold this button for about 3 seconds.
N-mark
10
.Microphone
11
.Lighting
12
.Cap
13
.DC OUT ONLY port (USB)
14
.DC IN 9.5V jack
15
.RESET button
16
.AUDIO IN jack
17
.
3

Help Guide
Wireless Speaker
SRS-XB40
Connecting to an AC outlet
The speaker can be operated by connecting it to an AC outlet via the AC adaptor (supplied) or built-in battery (rechargeable).
When using the speaker for the first time, be sure to charge the battery for more than 1 hour before turning on the power.
You can operate the speaker by battery instead of the AC adaptor by charging the speaker before use.
Battery life (when using the BLUETOOTH connection)
About 24 hours*2.
The time stated above may vary depending on ambient temperature or conditions of use.
Checking the battery level of the rechargeable battery
After pressing or holding the (call) button for more than 3 seconds to check the battery power during the speaker is turned
on, the voice guidance “Fully charged/About 70%/About 50%/About 20%/Please charge” outputs from the speaker.
Connect the supplied AC adaptor to the DC IN 9.5V jack.
1
Plug the AC adaptor to an AC outlet.
Charging starts and the CHARGE indicator lights up in orange. Charging is completed in about 4 hours*1 and the indicator
turns off. Once the battery is fully charged, it will not be charged further even if the speaker is kept connected to an AC
outlet.
2
Time that is required to charge the empty battery to its full capacity when the speaker turns off.
*1
When the specified music source is used, the BLUETOOTH device is set to the maximum volume, the volume level of the speaker is set to 19, and the
lighting of the speaker turns off. If the volume level of the speaker is set to maximum, the usage life will be approx. 4 hours.
*2
4

When the battery is running low
When the voice guidance says “Please charge” and the CHARGE indicator flashes slowly in orange, the battery is running low
and needs to be charged. In this state, the speaker cannot supply power to other devices.
If the voice guidance says “Please charge” and the CHARGE indicator flashes 3 times in orange and goes off when you turn
on the speaker, the battery is empty and needs to be charged.
Hint
A speaker that is in use can be charged if it is connected to an AC outlet though the CHARGE indicator does not light up. In this case, it may take
longer to charge the battery compared to when the speaker is turned off depending on the conditions of use. Therefore, it is recommended that
you turn off the speaker when charging.
Note
When you use the speaker at a loud volume, the battery may run low even if the speaker is connected to an AC outlet. If you want to use the
speaker while charging, lower the volume of the speaker. Otherwise, turn off the speaker and charge the battery sufficiently.
When you use the speaker at a loud volume for a long time, the battery may run low even if the speaker is connected to an AC outlet. As a result,
sound becomes low. This is not a malfunction. Turn off the speaker and charge the battery sufficiently.
When you switch the power source between an AC outlet and battery by connecting/disconnecting the AC adaptor, the speaker may stop sound
output for a short while. This is not a malfunction.
The maximum power output will be lower when the battery is running low.
Even if you do not intend to use the speaker for a long time, charge the battery sufficiently once every 6 months to maintain its performance.
In an extremely cold or hot environment, charging stops for safety. If charging takes a long time, it also makes charging of the speaker stop. In
these conditions, the CHARGE indicator keeps flashing in orange quickly, but this is not a malfunction. To resolve these issues, disconnect the AC
adaptor and connect it again within the operating temperature between 5 °C and 35 °C (41 °F and 95 °F).
Do not charge in places where water may splash.
Related Topic
Turning the power on
Notes on charging
4-694-133-11(2) Copyright 2017 Sony Corporation
5

Help Guide
Wireless Speaker
SRS-XB40
Turning the power on
Hint
When you turn on the speaker for the first time after purchase, the EXTRA BASS function is on, and the indicator on the EXTRA BASS
LIGHT button lights up in white.
Note
If the CHARGE indicator flashes 3 times in orange and turns off when you turn on the speaker, the battery is empty. In this state, the speaker
turns off automatically. Charge the battery.
When the CHARGE indicator flashes slowly in orange, the battery is running low and needs to be charged. In this state, the speaker cannot supply
power to other devices.
Related Topic
Turning the power off
Connecting to an AC outlet
Enjoying EXTRA BASS
Press the (power) PAIRING button.
The (power) indicator lights up in white and the (BLUETOOTH) indicator flashes slowly in white.
When you turn on the speaker for the first time after purchase or there is no pairing information stored in the speaker, the
(BLUETOOTH) indicator will begin to flash quickly in white.
1
6

Help Guide
Wireless Speaker
SRS-XB40
Turning the power off
Hint
If you turn off the speaker when it is connected to an AC outlet via the AC adaptor (supplied), and while the BLUETOOTH standby function is on,
the (power) indicator lights up in orange and the speaker enters the BLUETOOTH standby mode.
Related Topic
Auto power off function
Using the BLUETOOTH standby function
4-694-133-11(2) Copyright 2017 Sony Corporation
Press the (power) PAIRING button.
The (power) indicator and (BLUETOOTH) indicator turn off.
1
7

Help Guide
Wireless Speaker
SRS-XB40
Using the BLUETOOTH standby function
When the BLUETOOTH standby function is turned on, the speaker turns on automatically by operating a BLUETOOTH device,
and starts the BLUETOOTH connection.
Before operating the speaker, note the following:
The BLUETOOTH standby function is available only when the speaker is connected to an AC outlet. When the speaker is
being powered by the built-in battery only, the BLUETOOTH standby function is not available.
Pair the speaker with a BLUETOOTH device in advance. If pairing information is not stored in the speaker, as in the case
when the speaker is used for the first time after purchase, the speaker will not enter the BLUETOOTH standby mode.
Connect the speaker to an AC outlet.
1
Turn on the speaker.
The (power) indicator lights up in white.
2
Tap [SongPal] on your smartphone, iPhone, etc. to start up the application.
SongPal
3
Tap [SRS-XB40].
4
8

To turn off the BLUETOOTH standby function
Perform steps to again to turn off the BLUETOOTH standby function then tap [Done].
Hint
The (power) indicator lights up in orange while the speaker is turned off when the BLUETOOTH standby function is activated.
Tap [Settings].
5
Tap [Power Option].
6
Tap [BT Standby] to set the BLUETOOTH standby mode to on.
7
Tap [Done].
8
9

Related Topic
Connecting to an AC outlet
Turning the power on
How to make a wireless connection with BLUETOOTH devices
About the indicators
4-694-133-11(2) Copyright 2017 Sony Corporation
10

Help Guide
Wireless Speaker
SRS-XB40
Charging USB devices such as smartphones
You can charge a USB device, such as a smartphone, by connecting it to the speaker with a USB cable (not supplied). Even if
the speaker is not connected to an AC outlet, its built-in battery can supply power to a USB device.
Note
If the speaker is being powered by the built-in battery only, charging of the connected USB device will stop when the speaker turns off.
When the CHARGE indicator flashes slowly in orange, the battery is running low and needs to be charged. In this state, the speaker cannot supply
power to other devices.
Music playback is not available with a USB cable.
Connect a USB device such as a smartphone to the DC OUT ONLY port (USB) using a USB cable (not
supplied).
When you connect the speaker to an AC outlet via the AC adaptor (supplied), the connected USB device starts to be
charged automatically.
If the speaker is being powered by the built-in battery only, proceed to step .
1
Turn on the speaker.
The (power) indicator lights up in white and the USB device starts to be charged.
2
11

Related Topic
Connecting to an AC outlet
Turning the power on
4-694-133-11(2) Copyright 2017 Sony Corporation
12

Help Guide
Wireless Speaker
SRS-XB40
Auto power off function
If the speaker satisfies the following conditions for 15 minutes, it turns off automatically.
When the speaker is in BLUETOOTH mode
No operation on the speaker.
No BLUETOOTH connection has been established between the speaker and a smartphone or mobile phone via HFP/HSP.
HFP and HSP are types of BLUETOOTH profiles.
HSP (Headset Profile): Allows calling/cellular phone operation.
HFP (Hands-Free Profile): Allows hands-free calling/cellular phone operation.
No music (sound) is played when the speaker is connected to a BLUETOOTH device.
When the speaker is in AUDIO IN mode
No operation on the speaker.
No music (sound) is played on an audio device connected to the AUDIO IN jack or the music (sound) of an audio device
connected to the AUDIO IN jack is too small.
No BLUETOOTH device is connected to the speaker via HFP/HSP.
Note
The speaker turns off automatically if it satisfies the conditions above for 15 minutes, even if the speaker is charging a USB device that is
connected to the DC OUT ONLY port (USB). If the speaker is being powered by the built-in battery only, charging will stop when the speaker turns
off.
Related Topic
Switching the auto power off function
4-694-133-11(2) Copyright 2017 Sony Corporation
13