Different classes, so treat this as a step-up-or-not question rather than a head-to-head. The Google Home Max ranks #15 of 29 powered desktop speakers by sound quality at $399; the JBL Authentics 300 ranks #46 of 112 boombox speakers by sound quality at $299.95.
What the Google Home Max does well: A large Google smart speaker with two woofers, automatic room tuning and stereo pairing, praised by owners for its bass. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Authentics 300 lacks. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Authentics 300 lacks. Watch for: Discontinued by Google since 2020, so it can no longer be bought new; used and refurbished stock is what remains, and RTINGS calls its soundstage mediocre despite the driver count.
The JBL Authentics 300 is the battery-powered pick. A retro styled smart speaker with both Alexa and Google Assistant, a leather handle and battery power. Its battery is rated for 8 hours, while the Google Home Max needs an outlet. The tradeoff: Narrow sounding, bass not as deep as others.
Worth knowing: the Google Home Max has been discontinued and is hard to find new at this point.
Buy the Google Home Max at $399 if you want a powered desktop speaker. Buy the JBL Authentics 300 at $299.95 if you want a boombox speaker instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings and Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A large Google smart speaker with two woofers, automatic room tuning and stereo pairing, praised by owners for its bass.
A retro styled smart speaker with both Alexa and Google Assistant, a leather handle and battery power.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Google Home Max | JBL Authentics 300 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399 each Discontinued | $299.95 |
| Ranked | #15 of 29 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #46 of 112 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | No Battery | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room, Chromecast built-in) | Yes (Wi-Fi Multi-Room) |
| Power Input | AC power cord | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | No | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Weight | 11.7 lbs (5.3 kg) | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (2.4GHz/5GHz) | Yes |
| App | Yes (Google Home) | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (6 far-field mics for Smart Sound room correction) | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (Media EQ + Room EQ, automatic via Smart Sound) | Yes (App EQ) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| TWS | Yes (Wi-Fi stereo pairing via Google Home app) | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 4.5in high-excursion woofers, 2x 0.7in tweeters | 1” tweeter + 4” woofer + passive radiators |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Aux, USB-C | - |
| XLR Input | No | - |
| RCA Input | No | - |
| TRS Input | Yes (3.5mm) | - |
| Optical Input | No | - |
| Coaxial Input | No | - |
| USB Input | Yes | - |
| HDMI Input | No | - |
| AES Input | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 6x Class-D amplifiers | 100W |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 7.5” x 13.2” x 6.1” (190 x 336 x 154 mm) (H x W x D) | 13.5” x 7.7” x 7.1” (342 x 195.6 x 180.3 mm) |
| Voice Assistants | Google Assistant | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
| Streaming Services | Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect, Pandora, TuneIn, iHeartRadio | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 45Hz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | - | No |
| USB Playback | - | Yes |
| MicroSD Playback | - | No |
| Digital Aux Input | - | No |
| Strap | - | No |
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