Short answer: the B&W Zeppelin Pro for the higher ranking, the JBL Authentics 500 for the lower price. The B&W Zeppelin Pro ranks #1 of 4 powered desktop speakers at $899. The JBL Authentics 500 ranks #3 at $600, $299 cheaper.
On the B&W Zeppelin Pro side: Titanium dome tweeters and an improved 24-bit DAC over the standard Zeppelin for slightly better high-frequency detail on hi-res streams. The tradeoff: Same price as the standard Zeppelin for a fairly modest tweeter/DAC upgrade.
The case for the JBL Authentics 500: Quite powerful sound, and quite deep bass for the size. The catch: No battery.
Buy the B&W Zeppelin Pro if the ranking matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Authentics 500 if the price matters more than the ranking.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&W Zeppelin Pro | JBL Authentics 500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $899.00 | $600 |
| Ranked | #1 of 4 in Large Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #3 of 4 in Large Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | No Battery |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX Adaptive, AAC, SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 25.6" x 8.3" x 7.6" (650 x 210 x 194 mm) | 17.60" x 9.45" x 10.07" (447 x 240 x 255.7 mm) |
| Drivers | 150mm woofer, 2x 90mm FST midrange drivers, 2x 25mm Titanium Dome tweeters | 6.5" (down-firing subwoofer), 3x 2.75" midranges, 3x 1" (25mm aluminum dome) tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (Dynamic EQ) | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz - 24kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 40Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Party Mode | No | Yes |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | - |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect | AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Alexa MRM |
| TWS | No | - |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs / 6.6 kg | 17.2 lbs / 7.8 kg |
| Wifi | Yes | Yes (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, 2.4GHz/5GHz) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | - |
| DSP | Yes | - |
| Output Power | 240W (80W woofer, 2x 40W midrange, 2x 40W tweeter) | 270W (Max @ THD 1%) |
| Dolby Atmos | - | Yes (virtual) |
| Ethernet | - | Yes |
| Power Supply | - | 100 - 240V AC, ~ 50/60Hz |
| Sound System | - | 3.1 channel |
| Stereo | - | Yes |
| USB | - | Type-C (USB playback US only) |
| Voice Assistants | - | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
The Two Speakers In Full
B&W Zeppelin Pro: $899.00 Amazon
Pros: Titanium dome tweeters and an improved 24-bit DAC over the standard Zeppelin for slightly better high-frequency detail on hi-res streams. Dynamic EQ DSP. Customizable downward-firing light. Same wide soundstage and deep bass extension as the standard Zeppelin.
Cons: Same price as the standard Zeppelin for a fairly modest tweeter/DAC upgrade. Nothing besides the lack of battery, lack of waterproofing, high cost and the Earfun Uboom X that’s so close to it in terms of sound quality for 7x less money. Basically an indoor only speaker. Although at this price point I’d generally recommend some Top Recommended Bookshelf Speakers instead which will have even better soundstage.
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX Adaptive, AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 25.6" x 8.3" x 7.6" (650 x 210 x 194 mm) |
| Drivers | 150mm woofer, 2x 90mm FST midrange drivers, 2x 25mm Titanium Dome tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (Dynamic EQ) |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz - 24kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Output Power | 240W (80W woofer, 2x 40W midrange, 2x 40W tweeter) |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs / 6.6 kg |
| Wifi | Yes |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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JBL Authentics 500: $600 Amazon
Pros: Quite powerful sound, and quite deep bass for the size.
Cons: No battery. Boosted upper bass. Peaky upper mids.
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 17.60" x 9.45" x 10.07" (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) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Output Power | 270W (Max @ THD 1%) |
| Party Mode | Yes |
| Power Supply | 100 - 240V AC, ~ 50/60Hz |
| Sound System | 3.1 channel |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Alexa MRM |
| USB | Type-C (USB playback US only) |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
| Weight | 17.2 lbs / 7.8 kg |
| Wifi | Yes (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, 2.4GHz/5GHz) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.