How to control a JBL Authentics speaker?

What works

Using the jbl-authentics node-red implementation you can:

• Change volume
• Set source to DLNA (to use Spotify) or to optical

Web request examples:

Command	URL
Volume up	GET http://node-red-host:1880/jbl/volume/up
Volume down	GET http://node-red-host:1880/jbl/volume/down
Source optical	GET http://node-red-host:1880/jbl/source/optical
Source DLNA (incl Spotify)	GET http://node-red-host:1880/jbl/source/dlna
Source current	GET http://node-red-host:1880/jbl/source/current

About the Node-RED implementation

Invoke the flow using HTTP or an emulated Roku device

While functionality can be accessed using web requests, you can also use the node-red-contrib-fakeroku as a simple way to integrate the node-red flow to Logitech Harmony Smart control or similar.

What you must change to make it work

☑️ Change JBL device hostname

The code makes use of node-red-contrib-dnsquery to translate the JBL Authentics device's hostname to an IP number. The code assumes the JBL device has this hostname JBL-L8. you can set a custom hostname for the device by logging in to the device's web UI (port 80).

☑️ Change Emulated Roku IP address

Click the fakerokunode, located its configuration, and set LAN IPto the IP where you run node-red.

Code quality is poor - but it works

The quality of the node-red flow is quite crappy, but it shows how to interact with a JBL Authentics device. This is a work in progress - parts of it does not work - for example, commands related to "power"

Problem background & additional reading

JBL Authentics devices can't easily be integrated into your smart home setup

JBL Authentics L8 (and probably JBL Authentics L16) are speaker systems with support for Optical, Spotify, Airplay, and some more. The problem is that they lack documented ways to change source and volume.

While you could use JBL Music to control the device, it's not very convenient.

The "HK API" is similar to the API used to control JBL Authentics devices

JBL Authentics devices can be controlled over bluetooth and TCP - but none of the APIs are documented.

The TCP API is similar to an API used on Harman receivers. The API is sometimes referred to as "HK API". Here are links to more info about that API:

• https://github.com/KarimGeiger/HKAPI
• https://things.adamparsons.id.au/hk-avr-151-remote-control-api/
• https://www.home-assistant.io/integrations/harman_kardon_avr/
• https://community.home-assistant.io/t/harmon-kardon-avr/7567/31
• https://github.com/Raidok/Raidok.github.io/blob/master/_drafts/node-red-harman-kardon.md