RPB2 | RPB3: How To Set Up & Use

Introduction

This article provides a step-by-step guide for setting up the Rockville RPB2 and Handheld Wireless Portable Bluetooth Speakers, available in black or red and sold as a single unit or as a pair (RPB3 bundle). The guide covers attaching the lanyard, powering on, charging, connecting via Bluetooth or TF card, controlling playback, handling phone calls, and setting up True Wireless Stereo (TWS) for two speakers. The instructions are simple and designed for users with no technical experience, ideal for portable audio needs at home or on the go.

Requirements:

• Rockville RPB2-BLACK or RPB2-RED Speaker (single or pair)
• USB-A to USB cable (included w/ RPB2)
• Lanyard (included w/ RPB2)

Optional Accessories:

• TF card (microSD, up to 32GB, for music playback)
• Smartphone or Tablet (for Bluetooth playback or phone calls)
• Paper Clip or Toothpick (for lanyard attachment if needed)
• SB Power Block (for charging)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Attaching the Lanyard (Optional)

• Locate the Lanyard Holes: 
  • Find the two small holes on the speaker designed for the lanyard.
• Attach the Lanyard: 
  • Thread the thin end of the included lanyard through one hole and out the second hole.
  • If threading is difficult, use a paper clip or toothpick to pull the lanyard through the second hole.
  • Loop the thin end through the lanyard’s loop and pull to secure it to the speaker.
  • Note: The lanyard is optional and can be left unattached if preferred.

2. Powering On and Charging the Speaker

• Power On the Speaker: 
  • Locate the power button on the bottom of the RPB2.
  • Press and hold the power button until the LED indicator lights up to turn on the speaker.
• Check Battery Status: 
  • The RPB2 has a 300mAh Li-Polymer battery, offering 5 hours at 25% volume, 3.5 hours at 50% volume, or 2 hours at max volume.
  • Check the LED indicator for battery status (refer to the manual for specific LED behavior).
• Charge the Speaker: 
  • Use the included USB-A to USB cable.
  • Plug the USB end into the speaker’s charging port (typically under a cover or near the bottom).
  • Connect the USB-A end to a USB power block and plug into a power outlet (input: DC 5V 1A).
  • Charging takes 30–40 minutes; the LED indicator may flash during charging and remain solid when fully charged.

3. Playing Music via Bluetooth

• Enter Bluetooth Mode: 
  • The RPB2 automatically enters Bluetooth mode upon powering on (indicated by the LED flashing).
• Pair a Device: 
  • On your smartphone or tablet, go to Bluetooth settings.
  • Search for available devices and select “RPB2” (may appear as “Rockville RPB2”).
  • A confirmation sound indicates a successful connection, and the LED should remain solid.
  • Bluetooth 5.0 provides a range of up to 25 feet.
• Control Playback: 
  • Play music from your paired device (e.g., via a music app).
  • Use the plus (+) and minus (-) buttons on the bottom of the speaker: 
    • Long-press the plus (+) button to increase volume; a sound indicates max volume.
    • Long-press the minus (-) button to decrease volume.
    • Short-press the plus (+) button to skip to the next track.
    • Short-press the minus (-) button to return to the previous track or start of the current track.
  • The speaker features a 40mm, 4Ω 3W driver with a 5W output and a frequency response of 120Hz–20kHz for balanced sound.

4. Playing Music via TF Card

• Insert a TF Card: 
  • Insert a TF card (microSD, up to 32GB) with music files (e.g., MP3, WAV) into the TF card slot (typically under a cover).
  • The speaker automatically switches to TF card mode and plays the files.
• Control Playback: 
  • Use the plus (+) and minus (-) buttons to adjust volume or skip tracks (short-press for next/previous track).
  • Note: The RPB2 and RPB3 have a built-in SD card slot, often referred to as a TF card slot.

5. Handling Phone Calls

• Answer a Call: 
  • When a call comes in while a smartphone is paired via Bluetooth, the speaker’s built-in microphone enables hands-free calling.
  • Press the power button to answer the call.
  • Speak directly into the speaker to use the microphone.
• End a Call: 
  • Press the power button again to end the call.
  • Note: In TWS mode with two speakers, phone calls are routed through only one speaker.

6. Setting Up True Wireless Stereo (TWS) with Two Speakers

• Prepare the First Speaker: 
  • Power on the first RPB speaker and ensure it is not connected to any Bluetooth device (hold the power button to disconnect if needed).
• Power On the Second Speaker: 
  • Turn on the second RPB speaker by pressing and holding the power button.
  • A sound indicates the two speakers automatically connect to each other in TWS mode for stereo sound.
• Pair a Bluetooth Device: 
  • On your smartphone or tablet, go to Bluetooth settings.
  • Search for “RPB2” or “RPB3” (both speakers appear as a single device).
  • Select “RPB2” or “RPB3” to pair; a confirmation sound indicates the device is connected to both speakers.
• Control Playback: 
  • Play music from your paired device; both speakers will play in true stereo (left and right channels).
  • Use the plus (+) and minus (-) buttons on either speaker to adjust volume or skip tracks, affecting both speakers simultaneously.
  • For example, long-press the plus (+) button on either speaker to increase volume on both.
• Test the Setup: 
  • Play music to confirm stereo output from both speakers, enhancing the audio experience.
• Note on Phone Calls in TWS Mode: 
  • Phone calls in TWS mode will play through only one speaker, not both.

7. Additional Features

• Selfie Remote (Android Only): 
  • On Android devices, the RPB2 can act as a selfie remote (refer to the manual for specific button instructions).
• Durable Design: 
  • The speaker is built from high-quality aluminum, weighing 95g, for portability and durability.

Troubleshooting & FAQs

• Speaker not powering on: 
  • Ensure the speaker is charged; connect the USB cable and check the LED indicator.
  • Verify the power button is pressed and held correctly.
  • Test the USB power block and outlet with another device.
• Bluetooth not pairing: 
  • Confirm the speaker is in pairing mode (LED flashing).
  • Ensure “RPB2” or “RPB3” appears in your device’s Bluetooth settings and is within 25 feet.
  • Disconnect other paired devices by holding the power button.
  • Restart the speaker and device, then retry pairing.
• No sound from TF card: 
  • Verify the TF card is inserted correctly and contains compatible music files (e.g., MP3, WAV).
  • Ensure the card is not larger than 32GB.
  • Check if the speaker has switched to TF card mode automatically.
• TWS not connecting: 
  • Ensure both speakers are powered on and not connected to other Bluetooth devices.
  • Confirm the TWS connection sound (second beep) is heard.
  • Power off both speakers, restart, and retry the TWS setup.
  • Keep speakers within range (typically 25–50 feet).
• Phone call audio not working: 
  • Verify the smartphone is paired via Bluetooth and the call is active.
  • Press the power button to answer; ensure you’re speaking close to the speaker’s microphone.
  • In TWS mode, confirm audio comes from one speaker (normal behavior).
• Poor sound quality or distortion: 
  • Lower the volume on the speaker or device to avoid distortion at max volume.
  • Ensure no Bluetooth interference from other devices.
  • Check the TF card for corrupted files if using that input.

Conclusion

This guide outlines how to set up the Rockville RPB2 and RPB3 Handheld Wireless Bluetooth Speakers, covering lanyard attachment, charging, Bluetooth and TF card playback, phone call handling, and TWS setup for stereo sound with two speakers. Its compact, aluminum design and versatile features make it perfect for portable audio needs.