These sit in different size classes, so this is not a straight ranking comparison. The Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen ranks #2 of 14 powered desktop speakers by sound quality at $179.99; the JBL Authentics 300 ranks #41 of 91 boombox speakers by sound quality at $499.95.
Why pick the Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen: SoundGuys called it the best-sounding Amazon speaker they have tested, scoring it 7.8 of 10. The catch: SoundGuys still marked it down on Value (4.0 of 10) given the $219.99 list price, and it is explicitly not true left-right stereo from one cabinet, so a stereo pair is needed for real width in a larger room.
The JBL Authentics 300 is the battery-powered choice. Integrates both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant simultaneously (rare for smart speakers). Its battery is rated for 8 hours, while the Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen needs an outlet. Watch for: Narrow sounding, bass not as deep as others.
Buy the Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen at $179.99 for a powered desktop speaker, or the JBL Authentics 300 at $499.95 for a boombox speaker instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings and Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen | JBL Authentics 300 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $179.99 each | $499.95 |
| Ranked | #2 of 14 in Small Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #41 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | No Battery | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room, Alexa Home Theater) | Yes (Wi-Fi Multi-Room) |
| Power Input | External AC adapter | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | No | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Weight | 3.6 lbs (1.632 kg) | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (Wi-Fi 6E) | Yes |
| App | Yes (Alexa) | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (mic mute button, far-field) | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Mid/Treble + Dolby Virtualizer, via Alexa app) | Yes (App EQ) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| TWS | Yes (Wi-Fi stereo pairing via Alexa app) | Yes |
| Drivers | 3.75in high-excursion woofer, 3x 2.25in full-range drivers (L/R/up) | 1” tweeter + 4” woofer + passive radiators |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | - |
| XLR Input | No | - |
| RCA Input | No | - |
| TRS Input | No | - |
| Optical Input | No | - |
| Coaxial Input | No | - |
| USB Input | No | - |
| HDMI Input | No | - |
| AES Input | No | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 6.1” x 5.6” x 5.8” (155 x 142 x 147 mm) | 13.5” x 7.7” x 7.1” (342 x 195.6 x 180.3 mm) |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa / Alexa+ | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
| Streaming Services | Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, SiriusXM | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 45Hz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | - | No |
| USB Playback | - | Yes |
| MicroSD Playback | - | No |
| Amplifier Power | - | 100W |
| Digital Aux Input | - | No |
| Strap | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen:
- Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen vs Marshall Acton IV
- Amazon Echo Dot Max vs Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen
- Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen vs Denon Home 150
- Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen vs Google Nest Audio
- Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen vs Apple HomePod Mini
Prices on this page were last checked October 7, 2026 at 9:25 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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The Two Speakers In Full
Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen: $179.99 each Amazon eBay
Same family: the Amazon Echo Dot Max (smaller model, ranked lower, rated 3.5/5).
Pros: SoundGuys called it the best-sounding Amazon speaker they have tested, scoring it 7.8 of 10. A 3.75-inch high-excursion woofer and three 2.25-inch full-range drivers fire left, right and upward, giving a real sense of width and instrument separation from a single enclosure, with vocals sitting forward and clean cymbals even at moderate volume. It supports Dolby Atmos and spatial audio on compatible content, stays distortion-free up to about 70% volume, and includes a built-in Zigbee, Matter and Thread smart home hub plus a 3-band EQ with a Dolby Virtualizer toggle.
Cons: SoundGuys still marked it down on Value (4.0 of 10) given the $219.99 list price, and it is explicitly not true left-right stereo from one cabinet, so a stereo pair is needed for real width in a larger room. There are no wired audio inputs of any kind and no battery, so it must stay plugged in, and Bluetooth is limited to the SBC codec. Voice recognition wasn’t perfectly reliable in testing, occasionally playing the wrong track for a specific artist-title request.
Full Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Alexa) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (mic mute button, far-field) |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.1” x 5.6” x 5.8” (155 x 142 x 147 mm) |
| Drivers | 3.75in high-excursion woofer, 3x 2.25in full-range drivers (L/R/up) |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Mid/Treble + Dolby Virtualizer, via Alexa app) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
| Optical Input | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room, Alexa Home Theater) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | External AC adapter |
| RCA Input | No |
| Stereo | No |
| Streaming Services | Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, SiriusXM |
| TRS Input | No |
| TWS | Yes (Wi-Fi stereo pairing via Alexa app) |
| USB Input | No |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa / Alexa+ |
| Weight | 3.6 lbs (1.632 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (Wi-Fi 6E) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen vs Marshall Acton IV
- Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen vs Amazon Echo Dot Max
- Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen vs Denon Home 150
- Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen vs Google Nest Audio
- Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen vs Apple HomePod Mini
- Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen vs Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen
- Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen vs Google Home Speaker
- Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen vs Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen
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JBL Authentics 300: $499.95 Amazon eBay
Same family: the JBL Authentics 200 (smaller model, rated 3.7/5) and the JBL Authentics 500 (larger model, rated 4.1/5).
Pros: Integrates both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant simultaneously (rare for smart speakers). Retro seventies design with leather and Quadrex grille. 100-watt amp, carries well with leather-trimmed handle. Rechargeable battery rated ~8 hours. Measured bass extension of 45Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Narrow sounding, bass not as deep as others. Peaky upper mids. No TWS. No IP rating. Not as loud as others. Not much battery life.
Full JBL Authentics 300 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 100W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 13.5” x 7.7” x 7.1” (342 x 195.6 x 180.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” tweeter + 4” woofer + passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi Multi-Room) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Authentics 300 - sound quality test More from Oluv’Sone →
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Authentics 300 - update
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Authentics 300 - listening session
- Alan Ross Reviews: Not quite! JBL Authentics 300 review and sound test vs Boombox 3, Encore and Stormbox Blast More from alanrossreviews →
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