These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The B&O Beosound Level ranks #86 of 105 large speakers by sound quality at $2,250; the JBL Authentics 500 ranks #5 of 10 powered desktop speakers by sound quality at $749.95.
The B&O Beosound Level is the battery-powered, tougher option. Premium Scandinavian design with elegant domestic sculpture aesthetic. 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: 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.
Buy the B&O Beosound Level ($2,250) for a large speaker; the JBL Authentics 500 ($749.95) suits a powered desktop speaker instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings and Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound Level | JBL Authentics 500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,250.00 | $749.95 each |
| Ranked | #86 of 105 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 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL Authentics 500:
- Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Pro vs JBL Authentics 500
- Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin vs JBL Authentics 500
- Sonos Five vs JBL Authentics 500
- JBL Authentics 500 vs Sonos Era 300
- B&O Beosound 2 vs JBL Authentics 500
Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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 Level: $2,250.00 Amazon $2,250.00 eBay
Pros: Premium Scandinavian design with elegant domestic sculpture aesthetic. Battery, WiFi, and Bluetooth enable AC/portable use, upright/flat/wall-mount positioning. Modular design with upgradeable wireless module, sound processing, and battery. 16-hour battery with quick-connect Mag-Safe rear charging puck. 105W output. Measured bass extension of ~60Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not very deep bass, peaks in midrange. Hugely expensive.
Full B&O Beosound Level review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 105W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~60Hz |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 13.7” x 9.1” x 2.2” (348 x 230 x 56 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 102mm woofers, 1x 51mm fullrange, 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 39Hz - 23kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP54 |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | Google Assistant |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
- Links
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JBL Authentics 500: $749.95 each Amazon $749.95 eBay
Same family: the JBL Authentics 200 (smaller model, rated 3.7/5) and the JBL Authentics 300 (smaller model, rated 3.5/5).
Pros: JBL Authentics 500 uses 6.5” (down-firing subwoofer), 3x 2.75” midranges, 3x 1” (25mm aluminum dome) tweeters. Its 7.8 kg, aux input and stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use.
Cons: Its 40Hz to 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) specification points to limited deep-bass reach for the cabinet size.
Full JBL Authentics 500 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 270W (Max @ THD 1%) |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | 3.1 channel |
| Dimensions | 17.6” x 9.4” x 10.1” (447 x 240 x 255.7 mm) |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes (virtual) |
| Drivers | 6.5” (down-firing subwoofer), 3x 2.75” midranges, 3x 1” (25mm aluminum dome) tweeters |
| EQ | Yes |
| Ethernet | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | USB-C (USB playback, US only) |
| Optical Input | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room) |
| Power Input | 100 - 240V AC, ~ 50/60Hz |
| RCA Input | No |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Alexa MRM |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
| Weight | 17.2 lbs (7.8 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, 2.4GHz/5GHz) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Authentics 500 vs Sonos Era 300
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