Can A Bluetooth Speaker Be Used As A Microphone

Many people have posted online tutorials on how to turn regular speakers into a microphone. The process is quite involved and requires a bit of effort on your end, but it is doable. However, have you ever wondered if a Bluetooth speaker could similarly be turned into a microphone?

If you have, then we’ll be answering just that question within this article and providing you with all the facts that you need to know regarding the process.

Unfortunately, we have to report that you cannot turn a Bluetooth speaker into a microphone, at least not without significantly altering it structurally. There is, however, a method to use a Bluetooth speaker as a microphone, removing the loudspeaker and connecting it to a microphone plug.

You see, there are many Bluetooth speakers nowadays that have built-in microphones that you can use to convert your speakers into proper functional microphones. If this is not the case for your specific Bluetooth speaker set, then that can be quite problematic.

However, we’ll guide you through a few different methods regardless. Some of these might involve creating custom motherboards for your devices that will allow them to function very differently than from the original intention behind them.

Can A Bluetooth Speaker Be Used As A Microphone?

The possibility of using a Bluetooth speaker as a microphone seems very attractive to many people. After all, most people know that if you’re somehow able to connect a regular speaker to a microphone jack then the systems inside will allow you to use them as a microphone.

However, there is a host of additional machinery that does go into making and utilizing a Bluetooth speaker, which adds to difficulties when it comes to converting them to a microphone. This machinery often has to be removed or must not be used in order for the device as a whole to function as a microphone.

The other aspect of this discussion, though, centers around the intention of the brand by which the Bluetooth speakers are made. This is because many such companies are willing to add several additional features to their products to keep them competitive in the market.

One of how they can achieve this is by pre-installing a type of microphone within the speakers themselves. We see this with many state-of-the-art Bluetooth speakers nowadays, where they come with a microphone internally built in that can be used to pick up calls and send voice notes.

So the process of using your Bluetooth speakers as microphones can be made significantly easier if the speakers in question come with a microphone internally. In the case that they don’t, however, we do have certain methods that we will discuss that can alter similar internal structures to allow Bluetooth speakers to act as microphones.

Bluetooth Speakers And Microphones Are Similar Internally

Yes, Bluetooth speakers and microphones are similar to each other internally. However, the mechanism of Bluetooth within most speakers is the major differentiating factor between the two devices. Nonetheless, when we look at the parts themselves, they will ring the same for either device.

For example, both Bluetooth speakers and microphones are similar in the fact that they both are constructed using a strong fixated magnet with several coils. This is connected to the microphone’s diaphragm or the cone, as it is often referred to within a speaker.

Some regular speakers can even function as microphones through plug-and-play processes. However, these make-shift microphones are often terrible, and there are better mics that can be purchased rather than making that conversion.

The Simplest Method To Use A Bluetooth Speaker As A Microphone?

Perhaps the absolute simplest method that can be applied when dealing with a Bluetooth speaker is to simply connect a cable out jack between a Bluetooth speaker and a mic IN jack. In this way, many Bluetooth speakers can be used as microphones, especially those that can be connected through a cable.

You see, if your particular Bluetooth speakers have a separate cable, then it can be used to connect it to a mic In jack instead of a speaker out jack. You see, many Bluetooth cables do come with additional methods of forming a connection. Often this is to connect to your computer or laptop’s speaker OUT.

However, these devices can also be used by connecting them the other way around and having the cable connect directly to the microphone IN jack. This allows for the transfer of audio signals into your listening device rather than out through the speakers themselves.

This simple method will not work on Bluetooth speakers that exclusively utilize wireless Bluetooth connections. The cable connection will be impossible, and your Bluetooth speakers will just be that, Bluetooth speakers and will not be able to be used as a microphone without major tweaks.

How To Convert A Bluetooth Speaker Into A Microphone?

By using this method, you can convert many different sorts of speakers into a microphone. This method is mostly also true for Bluetooth speakers. However, as we discussed, many Bluetooth speakers have specific internal wiring that might be completely different from the one shown in this section.

We recommend you do some additional research regarding what type of Bluetooth speaker you have and whether or not it has all of the necessary components that we will discuss within this section before trying to make the conversion.

Additionally, there are certain instruments you will need to complete this tutorial. These items will need to be procured by you before you begin. They include things such as a soldering iron, screwdrivers, wiring tape, and some cable connectors.

If some of these items seem like a challenge to use, especially the soldering iron, then we suggest that you ask a more experienced friend to help you out throughout the process that needs them. Otherwise, you can also seek some professional help to aid you in making the right use of the equipment.

If the specific speaker that you are using has different connectors, then we assure you that you need not worry as this method will still be able to mostly work. However, stay cautious of anything that seems to be going differently as you follow this guide.

Nonetheless, we believe that other than using cable connectors, as we discussed earlier, this is probably the second easiest method of converting your Bluetooth speakers into a microphone. And it is a relatively simple method that you will be able to complete in a few effective minutes if you know what to do.

Which you will do after you’ve completed reading this article in its entirety.

1. Getting Everything Ready

Before we begin working on this project, we will need to get everything ready, and that means that we need to obtain all of the various materials that will be a necessity in actually carrying out this project to completion.

The first thing that we need to determine and then obtain is the specific connector that will be required to turn our Bluetooth speaker into a Microphone. What we recommend is that you use a 3.5mm or 0.35 cm jack, pin, banana plugs, and spade connector.

We recommend these particular connectors because a vast majority of speakers and Bluetooth speakers utilize them in the first place. Having this connector on hand will be a good advantage to have when trying to make this conversion into a reality.

Additionally, we mentioned above that you will require certain items, and we provided a rudimentary list in the introduction to this section. However, we will detail the entire list here so that you can collect everything that you need without the need to search through the rest of the text within this section.

What you will need includes:

Solder
Soldering Iron
Tool to strip wires
Screwdriver
Electrical tape
Connectors for your microphone port
Any kind of wire

And there we have it; for the most part, when considering getting ready for this particular project, this is all the equipment that you will need to complete the conversion. Lastly, we definitely would suggest using a high-quality connector. Something with Silver-plated contacts is particularly good if you want maximum efficiency.

2. Removing The Loudspeaker From The Bluetooth Speaker

After you’ve got everything prepared, the next step that you need to take is to remove the driver from the assembly of the Bluetooth speaker that you are using. Although we only need the loudspeaker itself, we still need to remove the driver before we can extract the loudspeaker from the device properly.

It is, however, true that you can utilize a plethora of drivers that come from the same speaker to function as a microphone. In this particular scenario, we believe that these methods often do not work so well. The damage to structural integrity is too great, and the risk of potential damage is too high.

It is for this reason, and because these drivers cut out some of the sounds from the microphone and generate noise, that we try to get the driver out of the speaker assembly as soon as possible.

If you’re considering using active speakers that you will be changing in this manner, then it will come to your notice that there is a preamp that often lies within the speaker enclosure as part of the Bluetooth speaker’s assembly.

Now all you have to do is to use the screwdriver that we recommended getting in the first part of this tutorial guide and unscrew the various screws that hold the structure in place. Once that is complete, the matter is simple enough as you try to cut the wires off of the device.

Finally, make sure that you do not cut the entirety of the speaker wire, or else there is a chance that you will not be able to convert your Bluetooth speaker into a microphone as easily as you want.

3. Strip Away The Speaker Wires

This is a relatively simple step compared to some of the things we’ll be getting to a little later in this guide. Essentially, what you need to do is to cut off another speaker wire that you have bought or have lying somewhere. This needs to be done carefully and concisely, so you can make use of them later.

Make sure that you are able to strip about half an inch or precisely 13mm by using a stripping tool or a knife of some sort. If this section is still confusing you, then let us explain exactly what we mean when we say that you need to strip your wires.

When you strip wires, what you are doing is that you remove the plastic insulation that surrounds the wires. This insulation can be difficult to handle when you’re trying to connect devices using these wires. Additionally, they make the wires that you’re using far less malleable to changes and bending.

So often, it is an essential part of the process that you can strip your wires to the required level. However, remember not to do so too much as this can cause problems later on. You’ll be using the bare wire and will solder this part in the upcoming sections.

4. Solder The Ground Wire With The Connector

When you begin this particular step, you will need to start with connecting the ground wire first. You’ll quickly notice, however, that most speakers do not have a ground wire to start with. But this isn’t something to be dissuaded by as it doesn’t matter in this particular case.

Essentially you can use any wire that you have, and it can act as an effective ground wire for you. After you’ve started connecting your ground wire, it is time that you make sure that the connector is close by as well.

There will be certain numbers that are present next to the pins of the conductor. In most conductors, the ground pin is usually 1 or One. This is done so you quickly and effectively know which aspect of the conductor is important for the connection to be secured and which is not.

However, if you’re unsure about this information, then try going through the connector’s product description, as it usually will have all this information readily provided to the customer regardless.

After that is done, you need to solder the wire to the connector’s pin 1 by holding the wire against the pin. Place your soldering iron tip onto that section and apply some solder. If the wire cannot be torn off the pin with some force, then you’ll know that you’ve done a significantly good job.

Finally, connect this to the speaker and solder the wire to any piece of metal that is directly attached to the body of the speaker. You can now solder it directly onto the speaker’s body itself. However, please make sure that the wire that you are using is made of metal and is not plastic. Otherwise, you might set off a fire.

5. Positive And Negative Wires Must be Soldered

The next step is to connect your speaker to the connector. In this particular case, you don’t have to solder the wires onto the speaker because they will already attach correctly in the place that they should be.

Many connectors have their Pin 2 as being positive, and their Pin 3 is often negative. Additionally, you can follow the color code standard that many companies follow when making wiring to carry on the other steps.

The red wire is often regarded as positive, and the black wire is usually the negative pin. All you have to do is solder the wires onto the pins in the same way that you had done to the ground wire earlier. And voila, this step has been easily completed.

6. Put Insulation On Your Wires

It can be extremely catastrophic if you let wires touch each other. And it is just generally good as a safety precaution to make sure that you don’t have any loose or live wires that might cause damage to people or objects around you. After, you want to complete this project in the safest possible way you can.

Another fear that is caused by not covering up your wires is that of a short circuit. This can even cause a spark that may cause things to light up on fire if the conditions are correct. You do not want that to happen, so insulating your wires is probably the best next step.

Simply take your electrical tape and then run it along the length of your wire and cover it completely. Repeat this step for the conductor as well as the ground wire that is attached to the speaker. Once all our wires are insulated, you will have a very tidy looking setup.

7. Plug The Bluetooth Speaker Into The Microphone Port

The final step in this particular guide we’ve written regarding how you can turn your Bluetooth speaker into a microphone is that you test the fruits of your labor. This is done by plugging your Bluetooth speaker into that you have added wires, conductors, and soldered to the audio interface you have set up.

In most cases, it should work without any issues at all. However, you will probably hear some static, which is caused by the hastily put-together wiring. After testing once or twice, we suggest inspecting all the solder joints again.

You will notice that your make-shift Bluetooth speaker turned microphone is very poor at recording audio. And we think that’s the best that can probably do. But hopefully, now you know everything you need to turn your Bluetooth speakers into a microphone.

It is considered pretty difficult to turn Bluetooth speakers into microphones. However, the process is something that can be achieved if you use additional tools and materials. Nonetheless, we think it is often just better to go out and buy a proper microphone because 9/10 they will be better than a conversion of this sort.

Moreover, the audio quality of a speaker converted into a microphone like this will be very poor. Unless your Bluetooth speakers do not already have an internally built-in mic, we suggest just purchasing a proper one. But even so, we hope you’ve learned a lot about the subject.