Short answer: the B&W Zeppelin on measured sound quality, the JBL Authentics 500 if you want more features for less money. The Zeppelin ranks #2 of 7 large powered desktop speakers at $899, the Authentics 500 ranks #4 at $600, $299 less, a narrow gap at the top of a small category.
The Zeppelin’s own review calls it amazingly neutral, with a wide soundstage that comes from its long, low cabinet shape, and its bass extension is described as deeper than anything else in the category. Its review does note that a far cheaper rival, the Earfun Uboom X, gets surprisingly close to it in sound quality, worth knowing if budget matters as much as measured performance. The Authentics 500’s own review calls its sound quality powerful with deep bass for its size, though its cabinet’s frequency response spec points to more limited deep-bass reach than the Zeppelin achieves.
The Authentics 500 is the far more connected speaker. It adds a companion app, EQ, Wi-Fi multi-room, Chromecast, Tidal Connect, an Ethernet jack, virtual Dolby Atmos, and simultaneous Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant support, none of which the Zeppelin offers. The Zeppelin instead sticks to AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect over Wi-Fi, plus Bluetooth with aptX Adaptive support that the Authentics 500 lacks.
Neither has a battery or any IP rating, so both are strictly indoor, plugged-in speakers.
Buy the B&W Zeppelin if measured neutrality and the deepest bass in the category matter most to you and you don’t need smart features.
Buy the JBL Authentics 500 if you want multi-room streaming, voice assistants, and a fuller connected feature set for less money, and can accept a less neutral measured sound.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&W Zeppelin | JBL Authentics 500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $899.00 each Discontinued | $600 each |
| Ranked | #2 of 7 in Large Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #4 of 7 in Large Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~32Hz | - |
| 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) | 17.6” x 9.4” x 10.1” (447 x 240 x 255.7 mm) |
| Drivers | 150mm woofer, 2x 90mm FST midrange drivers, 2x 25mm Decoupled Double-Dome aluminium tweeters | 6.5” (down-firing subwoofer), 3x 2.75” midranges, 3x 1” (25mm aluminum dome) tweeters |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz - 24kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 40Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room) |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | 100 - 240V AC, ~ 50/60Hz |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| 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) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, 2.4GHz/5GHz) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes, 5.3 |
| DSP | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 240W (80W woofer, 2x 40W midrange, 2x 40W tweeter) | 270W (Max @ THD 1%) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect | USB-C (USB playback, US only) |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Dolby Atmos | - | Yes (virtual) |
| Ethernet | - | Yes |
| Configuration | - | 3.1 channel |
| Voice Assistants | - | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 29, 2026 at 3:43 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&W Zeppelin: $899.00 each Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the B&W Zeppelin Pro, ranked higher, rated 4.4/5.
Pros: Amazingly neutral, quite a wide soundstage due to the width. Bass extension deeper than all others in category. Measured bass extension of ~32Hz (-10dB).
Cons: 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. At this price point the Top Recommended Bookshelf Speakers are the better buy, with even better soundstage. Discontinued.
Full B&W Zeppelin review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 240W (80W woofer, 2x 40W midrange, 2x 40W tweeter) |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~32Hz |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX Adaptive, AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | No |
| 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 Decoupled Double-Dome aluminium tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz - 24kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect |
| Optical Input | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| RCA Input | No |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect |
| TRS Input | No |
| TWS | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs (6.6 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Authentics 500: $600 each Amazon eBay
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 →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 270W (Max @ THD 1%) |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.3 |
| 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
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- JBL Authentics 500 vs Sonos Five
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- JBL Authentics 500 vs B&W Zeppelin Pro
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- JBL Authentics 500 vs JBL Authentics 300
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