These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The B&O Beosound Level ranks #89 of 117 large speakers by sound quality at $2,250; the JBL Authentics 500 ranks #5 of 10 powered desktop speakers by sound quality at $449.95.
The B&O Beosound Level is the battery-powered, tougher option. A sculptural luxury speaker that works on battery or mains, mounts on a wall, and streams over Wi-Fi with upgradeable modules. Its battery is rated for 16 hours, while the JBL Authentics 500 needs an outlet. It is rated IP54, while the JBL Authentics 500 has no water resistance. The tradeoff: Not very deep bass, peaks in midrange.
The case for the JBL Authentics 500: A large smart speaker with a built in subwoofer, virtual Dolby Atmos, Wi-Fi streaming and both Alexa and Google Assistant. It links with other speakers (Wi-Fi multi-room), which the B&O Beosound Level cannot. It has an adjustable EQ, which the B&O Beosound Level lacks. The tradeoff: Bass is specified only to 40Hz at -6dB, so deep-bass reach is limited for a cabinet this size.
Buy the B&O Beosound Level ($2,250) for a large speaker; the JBL Authentics 500 ($449.95) suits a powered desktop speaker instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings and Powered Home rankings.
A sculptural luxury speaker that works on battery or mains, mounts on a wall, and streams over Wi-Fi with upgradeable modules.
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.
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Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound Level | JBL Authentics 500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,250.00 | $449.95 each |
| Ranked | #89 of 117 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #5 of 10 in Large Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~60Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) | No Battery |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) | 17.2 lbs (7.8 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, 2.4GHz/5GHz) |
| App | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| Voice Assistants | Google Assistant | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP54 | None |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room) |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | 100 - 240V AC, ~ 50/60Hz |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | - |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Drivers | 2x 102mm woofers, 1x 51mm fullrange, 2x 20mm tweeters | 6.5” (down-firing subwoofer), 3x 2.75” midranges, 3x 1” (25mm aluminum dome) tweeters |
| Dimensions | 13.7” x 9.1” x 2.2” (348 x 230 x 56 mm) | 17.6” x 9.4” x 10.1” (447 x 240 x 255.7 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 39Hz - 23kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 40Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 105W | 270W (Max @ THD 1%) |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Dolby Atmos | - | Yes (virtual) |
| Ethernet | - | Yes |
| Configuration | - | 3.1 channel |
| Streaming Services | - | AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Alexa MRM |
| Inputs | - | USB-C (USB playback, US only) |
| XLR Input | - | No |
| RCA Input | - | No |
| TRS Input | - | No |
| Optical Input | - | No |
| Coaxial Input | - | No |
| USB Input | - | Yes |
| HDMI Input | - | No |
| AES Input | - | No |
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