JBL Link 500

JBL Link 500

Voice-activated speaker

Sold from 2017 until now

Documents & Downloads

Product Specifications

Output power (W)
4 x 15
Chromecast Built-in
Yes
Google Assistant
Yes
Multi-room Support
Yes
Wi-Fi support
Yes
Auto-power off
Yes
Bluetooth
Yes
Voice Assistant integration
Yes
Wireless
Yes

Immersive JBL sound with the Google Assistant

The JBL Link 500 is a voice-activated speaker with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth® enabled that delivers amazing stereo sound with deep bass and clear highs for bigger rooms. It has the Google Assistant built-in. It’s your own personal Google. Always ready to help. You can ask it questions. And tell it to do things. The more you use it, the more useful it gets. Just start with “Ok Google” – a simple voice request triggers your JBL Link 500 to play music, podcasts or radio from services like Google Play Music, Spotify, Pandora and more. To amplify your party, speakers with Chromecast built-in can be grouped together to enjoy the same song in every room.

JBL Link 500 has the Google Assistant built-in. It is your own personal Google. Always ready to help. Discover more at assistant.google.com/discover
Far-field voice recognition allows for easy hands-free operation. Ask questions across the room and the JBL Link 500 will respond. Check out compatible services and more at assistant.google.com/discover
With the free Google Home app on iOS & Android, you can easily setup and manage your JBL Link 500
Lets you instantly stream your favorite music, radio, or podcast from your mobile device to your speakers. Discover more apps at https://www.google.com/chromecast/built-in/apps/#?speakers
Chromecast streams directly from the cloud, so you get the highest sound quality. Enjoy crystal clear sound exactly the way the artist intended.
Easily set up your system and control multi-room playback with the Google Home app. A step by step guide allows you to quickly start streaming your music.
Support both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi connection, resulting in a faster, robust and more stable wireless connection.
Wirelessly stream high-quality sound from your smartphone or tablet.
A 2-way acoustic design equipped with a pair of high performance JBL transducers to fill a bigger room with amazing stereo sound, deep bass and clear highs.

FAQs & How-Tos

10 results
  • NOTE: Apple IOS users are not able to find their MAC address in Google Home app due to privacy policies in the USA and European market.

    We advise setting up your device on a less secure network. Log into the router and retrieve the MAC address for your device then add it to your preferred network.

    Instructions below are for Android only

    1. Open your Google Home app Google Home app
    2. Enable Bluetooth User-added image on your device.
    3. Enable Location service User-added image on your Android device.
      1. Remember to "Allow" Google Home to view your location while using the app (You are asked during setup of the Google Home app).
      2. In case you denied access go to Settings User-added image Apps User-added image Google Home User-added image Permissions User-added image Allow to view Location.
    4. When you at selecting the Wi-Fi network from the list of available networks, before tapping on your network you need to get the MAC address.
      1. Tap  the User-added image located top right corner.
      2. In the pop-up menu press "Show MAC address" User-added image Write down the MAC Address.
    part 3User-added imagepart 5

    You can now add the MAC address to your local Wireless router or system if your configuration requires this before installing the device on your network.

    Finding the MAC address after speaker is installed

    1. Open your Google Home app Google Home app.
    2. Tap on  to view your home.
    3. Find your room User-added image.
    4. In the top right corner tap Settings icon User-added image.
    5. ​Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. You will see some system information and the MAC address as well.
  • This video shows how to play music and much more with your Google Assistant. You can practice all of your voice commands on your Harman/Kardon Citation or JBL LINK products.


    1. Power on your JBL LINK speaker.
    2. Verify that you are connected to the right Wi-Fi network on your smartphone.
    3. Open your Google Home app Google Home app.
    4. Enable Bluetooth BT ICON
    5. Enable Location Service location icon(Android Only)
      1. Make sure you have permitted the Google Home app to view your location.
    6. First option NEXT oPTTap Addaddd Next topSet up device Setup device NEXT opSet up new devices in your home home icon
    7. Second  option NEXT NEXTTap Disocvery Next topX device found Setup ICON deviceNEXT opSelect Home locationhome icon
    8. Follow the instruction on screen to add your new JBL LINK speaker.

    You are now all set and can enjoy your LINK device!
  • This video shows how to use a smart speaker that has Google Assistant built-in.
    Our LINK series have Google Assistant built-in therefore you can practice your voice commands together with Harman/Kardon Citation or JBL LINK products

  • The Checklist

    Let us walk-through a list of things needed to ensure every requirement is met.

    1. Check your mobile device if that is able to connect to same Wireless network.
    2. Make sure you are within range of your Wireless router.
    3. Check the Wireless signal on your mobile device, does it have a weak signal then move closer to the router.
    4. Try both Wireless network bands 2.4GHz and 5GHz in case one of them are failing.
      1. You will have longer range with 2.4GHz, but less performance and most of the times a crowded network (many devices are using 2.4GHz band).
      2. You will have less interference with 5GHz and higher performance, however, the range of the 5GHz network has shorter range.
    5. Try using a different mobile device, if you have one.
    6. Reboot your Wireless network router and your mobile device.
    Watch the video below for help with setting up your Google Assistant device.

    Wireless Network Extender

    Some houses or apartments can be too big for one Wireless network router to cover it all.
    Let's talk about the issues that might appear with an Extender network.

    1. Network Extenders that will help cover poor signal in your home, often results in poor connection and low speed performance.
    2. Often the Network Extender is a low budget device or not suited for having too many devices attached to it.
    3. Placement of the speaker is crucial as you can put it in a place where it could connect to either main Wireless router or the Extender, that will confuse Wireless network devices.
    4. To solve this issue, try move the speaker closer to main router or have fewer devices attached to your Wireless Extender.
    5. In addition, always use 5GHz connection between your Network extender and main router (best solution and performance).

    One Wireless Network Name (SSID)

    1. You may have set the Wireless Network SSID (Wi-Fi network name) to one big Wireless network (With a main router + Extender(s).
    2. If the JBL LINK device is within range of both Wireless networks (Main router & Extender) then it can get confused with which one to connect to.
    3. To solve this issue, using two different name for your extended network will help with the performance of the JBL LINK Speaker and Google Assistant request.







     

  • Switching to a new Wi-Fi network

    1. Make sure your mobile device is connected to the same Wireless Network as your speaker.
    2. Open your Google Home app Google Home app
    3. Go to Settings Settings
    4. Tap on Wi-FI nextForget Network
      1. The current configuration is now forgotten.
    5. In your Google Home app, you are forced back to the "Home Screen" and need to setup the device again.
    6. Tap on House
    7. Find Add Add devcenext  Set up device next Set up new devices in your home
    8. Follow the instructions given to add the speaker to your Wi-Fi network.

    Lost connection or changed settings

    1. Open the Google Home app Google Home app
    2. On the home screen, tap on AddAdd devcenextSet up device next Set up new devices in your home
    3. Follow the instruction provided.
      1. Remember that your current room name is the same as before, as well as other settings made for the speaker. You are only switching to a new Wi-Fi.
    4. In addition, you can click on Discovery discover icon in the bottom menu of the Google Home app.
    5. Tap on the Setup new setup icon nextThe Card information would show your old speaker name.  However, you can continue setting up the device following the instructions.
     

     

  • All speakers are set to react when you use the keywords to interact with Google. To eliminate multiple speakers talking at the same time, using the "Microphone Mute" button will stop the speaker from reacting to the keywords.
  • Getting started with the checklist

    • A JBL LINK device(s).
    • Latest version of the Google Home appGoogle Home app installed on your mobile device.
    • Latest version of the Google app  (Android only) installed on your mobile device.
    • A Google Account (you can create one online via Google).
    • A mobile device with either iOS or Android support.
      • ​Must have iOS 10 or higher
      • Must have Android 5.0 and higher
      • There is no support for PC set up.
    • An internet connection from your local ISP (Internet Service Provider).
    • Your Wireless Network must secured with WPA2 Encryption (Enterprise mode NOT supported). 
    • Availability and performance of certain features, services and applications are device- and network-dependent and may not be available in all areas; subscription(s) may be required, and additional terms, conditions and/or charges may apply.

    Wi-Fi requirement

    • Wi-Fi routers must have Encryption enabled to install JBL LINK speakers (WPA2 etc).
    • Wi-Fi Extenders need to feature support of Multicast forwarding and UPnP.
    • Always use 5 GHz Wi-Fi for best performance and less interference.
    • For routers that have 2.4G Wi-Fi support only, make sure that they are using channels 1, 6 or 11 only.
    You can now install your JBL LINK speaker to your Wireless Network and you can find our setup article that shows how to install your LINK product.

     
  • NOTE:  LINK speakers must be set up on a WiFi network before Bluetooth can be activated. Once it is set up, you can use Bluetooth anywhere (Unless you reset the speaker and start all over with installation).

    Pairing issues with a Smartphone or Tablet:
    1. First try to restart the Bluetooth connection on your source device (Smartphone/tablet) by switching Bluetooth off and on again with a short pause in between.
    2. Forget previous paired connection (on your smartphone/tablet) in your Bluetooth settings if you once had paired with our product.
    3. Try to restart source device(Smartphone/tablet) by powering it off and on again, and after restart try to establish a Bluetooth connection to your JBL LINK device.
    4. If above does not work, then try to restart your JBL LINK device by turning it off and on again.
    5. Press and hold down the Bluetooth button on your JBL LINK device to initiate pairing mode again.
    6. Go into Bluetooth settings on your Smartphone/tablet.
    7. Perform a restart or reset if you are not able to connect after above steps.
    Back to helpful articles --> Articles overview

    JBL LINK Bluetooth specifications:
    • Bluetooth version 4.2
    • A2DP v1.3 with SBC Audio Codec.
    • AVRCP v1.5

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