A method, for a portable terminal , for allocating channels for audio content playback, the method comprising: determining a multi-channel audio scheme that is compatible with audio content comprising a plurality of channels, wherein the same audio content is currently being played back simultaneously by a plurality of devices forming a group formed by establishing a short-range communication channel between neighbouring devices; allocating a channel of the multi-channel audio scheme to each of the plurality of devices included in the group based on position information of each device received by the portable terminal ; displaying channel allocation states for the plurality of devices included in the group; and transmitting (240, 351-353) channel allocation information to each device included in the group, wherein the channel allocation information transmitted to a device comprises information indicating which channel has been allocated to that device to allow the device to select its allocated channel and play the audio content, wherein the position information of each device is based on position information received (321-323) from each device included in the group, or based on an input to a user interface (414-426), wherein the user interface (414-426) comprises a user interface environment that is preset for channel allocation for each device included in the group, and wherein the user interface environment comprises: menu selection items provided in advance to receive user's selection of a channel allocation scheme corresponding to the compatible audio scheme of the audio content; and sub-menu selection items for selecting a channel for each device included in the group based on the compatible audio scheme of the audio content. determining a multi-channel audio scheme that is compatible with audio content comprising a plurality of channels, wherein the same audio content is currently being played back simultaneously by a plurality of devices forming a group formed by establishing a short-range communication channel between neighbouring devices; allocating a channel of the multi-channel audio scheme to each of the plurality of devices included in the group based on position information of each device received by the portable terminal ; displaying channel allocation states for the plurality of devices included in the group; and transmitting (240, 351-353) channel allocation information to each device included in the group, wherein the channel allocation information transmitted to a device comprises information indicating which channel has been allocated to that device to allow the device to select its allocated channel and play the audio content, wherein the position information of each device is based on position information received (321-323) from each device included in the group, or based on an input to a user interface (414-426), wherein the user interface (414-426) comprises a user interface environment that is preset for channel allocation for each device included in the group, and wherein the user interface environment comprises: menu selection items provided in advance to receive user's selection of a channel allocation scheme corresponding to the compatible audio scheme of the audio content; and sub-menu selection items for selecting a channel for each device included in the group based on the compatible audio scheme of the audio content. menu selection items provided in advance to receive user's selection of a channel allocation scheme corresponding to the compatible audio scheme of the audio content; and sub-menu selection items for selecting a channel for each device included in the group based on the compatible audio scheme of the audio content. <EOS>