These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The Harman Kardon Citation 200 ranks #13 of 117 large speakers by sound quality at $130; the JBL Authentics 500 ranks #5 of 10 powered desktop speakers by sound quality at $449.95.
The Harman Kardon Citation 200 is the battery-powered, tougher choice. A portable smart speaker with Wi-Fi, Google Assistant and deep bass for its size, now discontinued but worth buying used. Its battery is rated for 8 hours, while the JBL Authentics 500 needs an outlet. It is rated IPX4, while the JBL Authentics 500 has no water resistance. The catch: Overly boomy by default, you can short press the Bluetooth and volume down buttons simultaneously to decrease the bass, and the Bluetooth and volume up buttons simultaneously to increase it.
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 keeps a wired aux input, which the Harman Kardon Citation 200 lacks. It links with other speakers (Wi-Fi multi-room), which the Harman Kardon Citation 200 cannot. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Harman Kardon Citation 200 lacks. The tradeoff: Bass is specified only to 40Hz at -6dB, so deep-bass reach is limited for a cabinet this size.
One note: the Harman Kardon Citation 200 is no longer sold new, but at #13 of 117 large speakers by sound quality it still outranks most current models, so used is worth considering.
Buy the Harman Kardon Citation 200 at $130 if you want a large speaker. Buy the JBL Authentics 500 at $449.95 if you want a powered desktop speaker instead.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings and Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
A portable smart speaker with Wi-Fi, Google Assistant and deep bass for its size, now discontinued but worth buying used.
A large smart speaker with a built in subwoofer, virtual Dolby Atmos, Wi-Fi streaming and both Alexa and Google Assistant.
Prices on this page were last checked November 5, 2026 at 10:30 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Citation 200 | JBL Authentics 500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 Discontinued | $449.95 each |
| Ranked | #13 of 117 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #5 of 10 in Large Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | No Battery |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | None |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | - |
| Weight | 6.3 lbs (2.85 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 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon app) | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| TWS | No | - |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room) |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| USB Playback | No | - |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| Voice Assistants | Google Assistant | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
| Power Input | USB-C | 100 - 240V AC, ~ 50/60Hz |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 7” x 8.6” x 6.8” (178 x 219 x 172 mm) | 17.6” x 9.4” x 10.1” (447 x 240 x 255.7 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” woofer, 1” tweeter | 6.5” (down-firing subwoofer), 3x 2.75” midranges, 3x 1” (25mm aluminum dome) tweeters |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 40Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | 270W (Max @ THD 1%) |
| 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 |
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