Different classes, so treat this as a step-up-or-not question rather than a head-to-head. The Devialet Mania ranks #40 of 78 large speakers by sound quality at $899; the JBL Authentics 500 ranks #3 of 5 powered desktop speakers by sound quality at $600.
The case for the Devialet Mania: Small, nice looking. The tradeoff: Not very loud.
The case for the JBL Authentics 500: JBL Authentics 500 uses 6.5” (down-firing subwoofer), 3x 2.75” midranges, 3x 1” (25mm aluminum dome) tweeters. The tradeoff: Its 40Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) specification points to limited deep-bass reach for the cabinet size.
Buy the Devialet Mania at $899 for a large speaker, or the JBL Authentics 500 at $600 for a powered desktop speaker instead.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the Devialet Mania at IPX4 (splashing) against the JBL Authentics 500, which has no water resistance.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings and Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Devialet Mania | JBL Authentics 500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $899.00 | $600 each |
| Ranked | #40 of 78 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #3 of 5 in Large Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | No Battery |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | None |
| Weight | 5.1 lbs (2.3 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 |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| 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 |
| Dimensions | 6.9" x 7.6" x 5.5" (176 x 193 x 139 mm) | 17.6" x 9.4" x 10.1" (447 x 240 x 255.7 mm) |
| Drivers | 4x aluminum fullrange drivers, 2x woofers | 6.5" (down-firing subwoofer), 3x 2.75" midranges, 3x 1" (25mm aluminum dome) tweeters |
| Frequency Response | 30Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 40Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 176W | 270W (Max @ THD 1%) |
| Maximum SPL | 95dB (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 |
| Bluetooth | - | Yes, 5.3 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Devialet Mania:
- Devialet Mania vs Vifa Helsinki
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Devialet Mania
- Tribit Stormbox Lava vs Devialet Mania
- Devialet Mania vs Brane X
- Devialet Mania vs Minirig 4 with subwoofer
Prices on this page were last checked September 22, 2026 at 5:11 AM 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Devialet Mania: $899.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Small, nice looking. Measured bass extension of 47Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not very loud. Extremely high price. Bass boosted. Tweeters are not aimed at you and there’s a huge treble rolloff off-axis as compared to the Beoplay P6 in the comparison video. Only 10 hours of battery. Oluv didn’t like the upper mids or treble (mentioned on his Patreon)
Full Devialet Mania review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 176W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.9" x 7.6" x 5.5" (176 x 193 x 139 mm) |
| Drivers | 4x aluminum fullrange drivers, 2x woofers |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 30Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Maximum SPL | 95dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa |
| Weight | 5.1 lbs (2.3 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- That Speaker Guy: Devialet Mania vs Bang & Olufsen Beoplay P6 - Headphones On
- That Speaker Guy: Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 vs Devialet Mania
- HT Sound: Devialet Mania VS JBL Xtreme 2 - 60% Vol (Listen with headphones)
- BitsBytesBobs: Devialet Mania Music Audio Test Results
- Oluv Patreon: Visit at the Devialet store in Vienna More from Oluv’Sone →
- 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 - 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
- JBL Authentics 500 vs B&W Zeppelin
- JBL Authentics 500 vs Sonos Era 300
- JBL Authentics 500 vs B&W Zeppelin Pro
- JBL Authentics 500 vs B&O Beosound 2
- JBL Authentics 500 vs JBL Boombox 3
- JBL Authentics 500 vs JBL Authentics 300
- JBL Authentics 500 vs JBL Authentics 200
- JBL Authentics 500 vs JBL Boombox 4
- See all 28 comparisons