Short answer: the JBL Authentics 500 if sound quality matters most, the Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen if price matters most. The JBL Authentics 500 ranks #5 of 10 powered desktop speakers, rated 4.1/5, at $749.95. The Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen ranks #11, rated 3.1/5, at $79.99, $669.96 cheaper.
What the Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen does well: What Hi-Fi rated it 5 stars for sound, calling it expansive for its size with great Alexa integration and an understated look, from a single 44mm front-firing driver. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Authentics 500 lacks. The tradeoff: What Hi-Fi’s one real complaint was distortion at higher volumes, and bass force and detail both fall off at the low end, typical for a speaker not much bigger than a hockey ball.
Why pick the JBL Authentics 500: A 17.2 lbs (7.8 kg) 3.1 channel smart speaker with virtual Dolby Atmos, Wi-Fi streaming and simultaneous Alexa and Google Assistant support. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen. The catch: Bass is specified only to 40Hz at -6dB, so deep-bass reach is limited for a cabinet this size.
Buy the Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the JBL Authentics 500 when sound quality outweighs the price instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
What Hi-Fi rated it 5 stars for sound, calling it expansive for its size with great Alexa integration and an understated look, from a single 44mm front-firing driver.
Amazon $79.99 eBay
A 7.8 kg 3.1 channel smart speaker with virtual Dolby Atmos, Wi-Fi streaming and simultaneous Alexa and Google Assistant support.
Amazon $749.95 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 16, 2026 at 5:46 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen | JBL Authentics 500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 each | $749.95 each |
| Ranked | #11 of 14 in Small Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #5 of 10 in Large Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | No Battery |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room, Alexa) | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room) |
| Power Input | External AC adapter (DC jack) | 100 - 240V AC, ~ 50/60Hz |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (340 g) | 17.2 lbs (7.8 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4GHz/5GHz) | Yes (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, 2.4GHz/5GHz) |
| App | Yes (Alexa) | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (mic mute switch, temperature sensor) | - |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| TWS | Yes (Wi-Fi stereo pairing via Alexa app) | - |
| Drivers | 44mm front-firing driver | 6.5” (down-firing subwoofer), 3x 2.75” midranges, 3x 1” (25mm aluminum dome) tweeters |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C (USB playback, US only) |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 3.9” x 3.9” x 3.5” (100 x 100 x 89 mm) (H x W x D) | 17.6” x 9.4” x 10.1” (447 x 240 x 255.7 mm) |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa / Alexa+ | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
| Streaming Services | Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Pandora, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, TuneIn | AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Alexa MRM |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 |
| Dolby Atmos | - | Yes (virtual) |
| Ethernet | - | Yes |
| Frequency Response | - | 40Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Configuration | - | 3.1 channel |
| Amplifier Power | - | 270W (Max @ THD 1%) |
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