Short answer: the JBL Authentics 500 for better sound quality, the Amazon Echo Pop for the lower price. The JBL Authentics 500 ranks #5 of 10 powered desktop speakers, rated 4.1/5, at $449.95. The Amazon Echo Pop ranks #15, rated 2.4/5, at $45.98, $403.97 cheaper.
The case for the Amazon Echo Pop: A very cheap compact Alexa speaker with strong voice pickup, smart home support and eero Wi-Fi extender support. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Authentics 500 lacks. The tradeoff: PCWorld’s earlier review was blunt: despite a larger 1.95-inch driver on paper, it sounded flat and tinny with only a hint of bass next to the smaller-driver Echo Dot, and called the value proposition a hard no; RTINGS’ more recent test agrees on the underlying tradeoff, noting it can’t reproduce as much low bass as the Amazon Echo Dot Max and doesn’t get very loud.
What the JBL Authentics 500 does well: A large smart speaker with a built in subwoofer, virtual Dolby Atmos, Wi-Fi streaming and both Alexa and Google Assistant. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Amazon Echo Pop lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Amazon Echo Pop lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Amazon Echo Pop. 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 Pop if the price is the priority over sound quality, or the JBL Authentics 500 if sound quality is the priority over the price.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
A very cheap compact Alexa speaker with strong voice pickup, smart home support and eero Wi-Fi extender support.
A large smart speaker with a built in subwoofer, virtual Dolby Atmos, Wi-Fi streaming and both Alexa and Google Assistant.
Prices on this page were last checked November 5, 2026 at 10:30 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Specifications Side By Side
| Amazon Echo Pop | JBL Authentics 500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $45.98 each | $449.95 each |
| Ranked | #15 of 15 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 | 100 - 240V AC, ~ 50/60Hz |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs (195 g) | 17.2 lbs (7.8 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | 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; no motion or temperature sensor) | - |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| TWS | Yes (Wi-Fi stereo pairing via Alexa app) | - |
| Drivers | 1.95in 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 | 3.8” x 4.1” x 3.6” (96 x 104 x 91 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%) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Authentics 500: