Short answer: the JBL Authentics 200. Both are rated 3.7/5 for sound quality (#10 and #7 of 28 powered desktop speakers), and the JBL Authentics 200 costs $379.95 against $4,000 for the B&O Beosound 2, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it.
The B&O Beosound 2 is the deeper-bass pick. A beautifully made, compact Wi-Fi speaker with omnidirectional playback, Chromecast, AirPlay, Bluetooth with AAC/aptX, optical and aux inputs, app EQ, voice control and Beolink multiroom. Its bass reaches about 45Hz before falling 10dB, against 50Hz for the JBL Authentics 200. It supports aptX Bluetooth, which the JBL Authentics 200 lacks. The catch: Its bass-forward balance can recess the mids, and its 94dB maximum level is modest for a speaker intended to fill larger spaces.
Why pick the JBL Authentics 200: Wi-Fi streaming with simultaneous Alexa and Google Assistant support, rare at this size. Watch for: Bass not as deep as others.
Buy the JBL Authentics 200. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $3,620.05 less than the B&O Beosound 2.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound 2 | JBL Authentics 200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,000.00 each | $379.95 each |
| Ranked | #7 of 10 in Large Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #10 of 28 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~45Hz | ~50Hz |
| Battery Life | No Battery | No Battery |
| Party Mode | Yes (Beolink Multiroom) | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power Cable (100-240V) |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 9 lbs (4.1 kg) | 9.3 lbs (4.2 kg) |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 11.8” x 11.8” (300 x 300 mm) | 10.5” x 6.8” x 6.6” (266.3 x 171.7 x 167.4 mm) |
| EQ | Yes (via app) | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 37Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, Optical, Chromecast | Bluetooth, Wifi, Aux, USB (US only) |
| Stereo | 360-degree | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Voice Assistants | Yes (Google Assistant) | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (2.4GHz/5GHz)) |
| Drivers | 1x 5.5” + passive radiator woofer | 5” full-range woofer, 2x 25mm tweeters; 6-inch down-firing passive radiator; 6-inch down-firing passive radiator; 6-inch down-firing passive radiator; 6-inch down-firing passive radiator |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator | ported |
| Amplifier Power | 200W | 90W |
| Maximum SPL | 94dB | - |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | Yes | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | - | None |
| Streaming Services | - | AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa MRM |
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- JBL Authentics 200 vs Marshall Woburn I
- Apple HomePod 2nd Gen vs JBL Authentics 200
Prices on this page were last checked October 14, 2026 at 2:38 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
B&O Beosound 2: $4,000.00 each Amazon $4,000.00 eBay
Same family: the B&O Beosound 1 (smaller model, rated 3.5/5).
Pros: A beautifully made, compact Wi-Fi speaker with omnidirectional playback, Chromecast, AirPlay, Bluetooth with AAC/aptX, optical and aux inputs, app EQ, voice control and Beolink multiroom. Reviews praise its even scaling at low volume, spacious room-filling presentation and convincing bass for a single 4.1kg enclosure. Measured bass extension of ~45Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Its bass-forward balance can recess the mids, and its 94dB maximum level is modest for a speaker intended to fill larger spaces. There is no battery or water rating, so this is a mains-powered indoor product; its luxury design and streaming feature set matter more than outright value or neutral hi-fi accuracy.
Full B&O Beosound 2 review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 200W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~45Hz |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.8” x 11.8” (300 x 300 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 5.5” + passive radiator woofer |
| EQ | Yes (via app) |
| Frequency Response | 37Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Aux, Optical, Chromecast |
| Maximum SPL | 94dB |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Beolink Multiroom) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| RCA Input | No |
| Stereo | 360-degree |
| TRS Input | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Voice Assistants | Yes (Google Assistant) |
| Weight | 9 lbs (4.1 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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JBL Authentics 200: $379.95 each Amazon $379.95 eBay
Same family: the JBL Authentics 300 (larger model, rated 3.5/5) and the JBL Authentics 500 (larger model, rated 4.1/5).
Pros: Wi-Fi streaming with simultaneous Alexa and Google Assistant support, rare at this size. Well balanced sound that reviewers rate close to the pricier JBL Authentics 300. Measured about 113dB at 1kHz on max volume, matching the bigger 300 despite the smaller cabinet. Measured bass extension of ~50Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass not as deep as others. No TWS. No IP rating. Not as loud as others. Not much battery life.
Full JBL Authentics 200 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 90W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~50Hz |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.5” x 6.8” x 6.6” (266.3 x 171.7 x 167.4 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” full-range woofer, 2x 25mm tweeters; 6-inch down-firing passive radiator; 6-inch down-firing passive radiator; 6-inch down-firing passive radiator; 6-inch down-firing passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Wifi, Aux, USB (US only) |
| Optical Input | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room) |
| Power Input | AC Power Cable (100-240V) |
| RCA Input | No |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa MRM |
| TRS Input | No |
| TWS | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs (4.2 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (2.4GHz/5GHz)) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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