Short answer: the JBL Authentics 500. It ranks #5 of 10 powered desktop speakers by sound quality (rated 4.1/5) at $449.95 and is still sold new; the Denon Home 150 ranks #6 (rated 3.5/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Denon Home 150’s replacement, the Denon Home 200, is rated 3.6/5 at $399.
Why pick the Denon Home 150: A compact smart speaker with built in Alexa, easy HEOS setup and stereo pairing with a second unit. The tradeoff: Tom’s Guide’s own complaints are that it costs more than the Sonos One and has no automatic room tuning to correct for placement.
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 has an adjustable EQ, which the Denon Home 150 lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Denon Home 150. The catch: Bass is specified only to 40Hz at -6dB, so deep-bass reach is limited for a cabinet this size.
Buy the JBL Authentics 500. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Denon Home 150 is discontinued.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
A compact smart speaker with built in Alexa, easy HEOS setup and stereo pairing with a second unit.
A large smart speaker with a built in subwoofer, virtual Dolby Atmos, Wi-Fi streaming and both Alexa and Google Assistant.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Denon Home 150 | JBL Authentics 500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249 each Discontinued | $449.95 each |
| Ranked | #6 of 15 in Small Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #5 of 10 in Large Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | No Battery |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Party Mode | Yes (HEOS multi-room, stereo pair with a second Home 150) | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room) |
| Power Input | External AC adapter | 100 - 240V AC, ~ 50/60Hz |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Weight | 3.7 lbs (1.7 kg) | 17.2 lbs (7.8 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (2.4/5GHz) | Yes (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, 2.4GHz/5GHz) |
| App | Yes (HEOS) | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| TWS | No | - |
| Drivers | 1x 1-inch tweeter, 1x 3.5-inch mid/bass driver | 6.5” (down-firing subwoofer), 3x 2.75” midranges, 3x 1” (25mm aluminum dome) tweeters |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, USB, 3.5mm aux | 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 | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 4.7” x 7.4” x 4.7” (120 x 187 x 120 mm) | 17.6” x 9.4” x 10.1” (447 x 240 x 255.7 mm) |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
| Streaming Services | HEOS app streaming (Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Tidal, Deezer, SoundCloud, SiriusXM, TuneIn), AirPlay 2 | AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Alexa MRM |
| Dolby Atmos | - | Yes (virtual) |
| Ethernet | - | Yes |
| Frequency Response | - | 40Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Configuration | - | 3.1 channel |
| Amplifier Power | - | 270W (Max @ THD 1%) |
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