This post shows how to connect the Sony SRS XB23 tiny Bluetooth speaker to Alexa smart speakers. Now this pairing happens between the Sony and Alexa devices directly. Thus you need not turn Bluetooth on in the mobile device you’re using to create this connection.
How to Connect Sony SRS XB23 to Alexa, Step by Step
Begin with your Sony SRS XB23 powered OFF (status lamp is dark). Then run through this routine to connect it to your Alexa Echo, Show, Studio, Input, and Dot devices. Furthermore, we use an iPad Air tablet to set this up.
1. Find the Alexa app on your Mobile Device
Firstly, we find the app on the iPad Air. In this scenario, the app is in a custom folder that we set up, that we call Smart Speakers.
2. Run the Alexa App
Then the app displays its Home screen.
3. Tap the More Item to Continue with How to Connect Sony SRS XB23 to Alexa
Find the hamburger item in the lower right corner of the screen.
This then brings up the Alexa app’s main menu.
4. Tap the Settings Option on the Main Menu
This brings up the Settings screen.
5. Tap the Device Settings Option
Touching Device Settings brings up the All Devices page.
So from here, choose which Echo device you wish to pair with your Sony SRS XB23.
6. Tap the Alexa Device you Wish to Connect
Then this takes you to the device-specific settings screen for the speaker you chose.
Now here, we’re pairing from our Thomas’s 2nd Echo Dot 4 to our Sony SRS XB23. So its device specific settings screen looks as follows.
7. Tap the Connect a Device Item
This brings up the Pair Bluetooth Device with your Echo Dot Setup screen.
At this point, your Alexa device scans for nearby Bluetooth devices that are in pairing mode. Here, we selected an Echo Dot 4 earlier. So, this speaker will be the one that scans for BT devices.
Note that our Alexa found no devices so far. But it will in the next steps, when we put the XB23 in pairing mode.
8. Power Up the XB23
So bring your speaker close to your Alexa device to pair. Then power it up by pressing and releasing the Power button.
9. Place the XB23 into Discovery Mode
Next, put your XB23 into pairing mode by pressing and releasing the Pairing button.
The speaker then announces, “Bluetooth pairing,” and the Bluetooth status lamp starts quickly flashing blue.
10. Find the Sony SRS XB23 on the Alexa App SETUP Page
So the XB23 should now appear in the Alexa app, on the Pair Bluetooth Device… page.
Note that if your speaker does not show up here, then try the following.
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- Move the XB23 very close to the Alexa speaker.
- Close and restart the Alexa app.
- Then repeat steps 3 through 7 along with step 9 above.
We usually find that this gets the speaker to appear here as it should.
11. Find your XB23 on the Discovered Devices List
See the last screenshot above. Our test speaker is there.
12. Finally, Pair your Sony SRS XB23 with Alexa
Then pair to the speaker by tapping its entry on the Pair Bluetooth Device… screen.
Your Alexa then pairs with the XB23.
The app then takes you back to the Thomas’s 2nd Echo Dot 4 screen.
Note that our Bluetooth speaker now shows as connected. Also, the Sony speaker makes the Speaker Paired sound (the three ascending guitar notes).
This speaker now has a connection with your Alexa device. So its Bluetooth light glows solid white to signal that successful pairing is in effect.
13. Done with How to Connect Sony SRS XB23 to Alexa !
Finally we can now ask Alexa to play music or news. Then those programs will come out of the Sony SRS XB23. Be sure though, to speak to the Alexa speaker when making requests. Do not talk to the XB23. Why not? Because the Alexa is still the speaker that hears your voice commands through its far field mics.