Short answer: the Hopestar A90. It ranks #22 of 89 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 3.9/5, at $351.65. The JBL Authentics 300 ranks #40, rated 3.5/5, at $299.95, $51.70 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The case for the Hopestar A90: A huge, powerful 700W boombox with eight drivers (two 5” woofers, two 3.5” midranges and four tweeters), a removable 36,000mAh battery and a wireless microphone. The catch: The JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2 was the better, more refined listen in a direct comparison.
Why pick the JBL Authentics 300: Integrates both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant simultaneously (rare for smart speakers). The catch: Narrow sounding, bass not as deep as others.
Buy the Hopestar A90. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $51.70 saving on the JBL Authentics 300 is not enough to make up the difference.
If water resistance matters to you, the Hopestar A90 at IPX6 (powerful water jets) holds up far better than the JBL Authentics 300 at no water resistance.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Hopestar A90 | JBL Authentics 300 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $351.65 | $299.95 |
| Ranked | #22 of 89 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #40 of 89 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Amplifier Power | 700W | 100W |
| Drivers | 2x 5” woofers + 2x 3.5” midranges + 2x 2.5” tweeters + 2x 2” ceramic tweeters | 1” tweeter + 4” woofer + passive radiators |
| Battery Life | 6-8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Wi-Fi Multi-Room) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 | None |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | No |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 1 Included | - |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Dimensions | 24.6” x 9.9” x 13.4” (624.5 x 252.5 x 341.5 mm) | 13.5” x 7.7” x 7.1” (342 x 195.6 x 180.3 mm) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| EQ | No | Yes (App EQ) |
| App | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 45Hz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Power Input | - | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | - | Partially (1 woofer) |
| TWS | - | Yes |
| Weight | - | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | - | No |
| Voice Assistants | - | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
| Strap | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Hopestar A90:
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Hopestar A90
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Hopestar A90
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Hopestar A90
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs Hopestar A90
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 vs Hopestar A90
Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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
Hopestar A90: $351.65 AliExpress eBay
Pros: A huge, powerful 700W boombox with eight drivers (two 5” woofers, two 3.5” midranges and four tweeters), a removable 36,000mAh battery and a wireless microphone. In side by side tests it had better highs, clarity and soundstage than the Zealot ZE21 while still reaching deep, reviewers picked it over the JBL Boombox 4 for its bass and output, and it sounded powerful and true to the music against the JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2. Bluetooth 5.4 with Auracast, IPX6, USB, TF and aux inputs, RGB lights and a strap attachment.
Cons: The JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2 was the better, more refined listen in a direct comparison. The Yeahbox Sonic Boom Ultra measured roughly 3 to 5dB louder. There is no app or EQ. It is very large and heavy (13.2 kg boxed), claims only 6 to 8 hours of battery, and it is sold through AliExpress rather than US retailers.
Full Hopestar A90 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 700W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 6-8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 24.6” x 9.9” x 13.4” (624.5 x 252.5 x 341.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 5” woofers + 2x 3.5” midranges + 2x 2.5” tweeters + 2x 2” ceramic tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| Lights | Yes |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 1 Included |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jagist reviews: Hopestar A90 Vs Jbl Boombox 4!!! Battle Of The Gods!!! More from Jagistreviews →
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Firmware Updated Vs Hopestar A90!!! Rematch Of Beasts!!!
- Jagist reviews: Hopestar A90 Vs Zealot Ze41!!! Battle Of Shear Power!!!
- Jagist reviews: Hopestar A90 Vs Zealot Ze21!!! Deep Bass Vs Powerful Bass!!!
- Jagist reviews: Hopestar A90 Vs Jbl Encore Essential 2!!! Deep Bass Vs Powerhouse Bass!!!
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Authentics 300: $299.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: Integrates both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant simultaneously (rare for smart speakers). Retro seventies design with leather and Quadrex grille. 100-watt amp, carries well with leather-trimmed handle. Rechargeable battery rated ~8 hours. Measured bass extension of 45Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Narrow sounding, bass not as deep as others. Peaky upper mids. No TWS. No IP rating. Not as loud as others. Not much battery life.
Full JBL Authentics 300 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 100W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 13.5” x 7.7” x 7.1” (342 x 195.6 x 180.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” tweeter + 4” woofer + passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi Multi-Room) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Authentics 300 - sound quality test More from Oluv’Sone →
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Authentics 300 - update
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Authentics 300 - listening session
- Alan Ross Reviews: Not quite! JBL Authentics 300 review and sound test vs Boombox 3, Encore and Stormbox Blast More from alanrossreviews →
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