Different classes, so treat this as a step-up-or-not question rather than a head-to-head. The JBL Authentics 200 ranks #3 of 13 powered desktop speakers by sound quality at $380; the JBL Authentics 300 ranks #30 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $299.95.
On the JBL Authentics 200 side: Wi-Fi streaming with simultaneous Alexa and Google Assistant support, rare at this size. The tradeoff: Bass not as deep as others. No TWS.
What the JBL Authentics 300 offers: Integrates both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant simultaneously (rare for smart speakers). Retro seventies design with leather and Quadrex grille. Watch for: Narrow sounding, bass not as deep as others. Peaky upper mids.
Buy the JBL Authentics 200 at $380 if you want a powered desktop speaker. Buy the JBL Authentics 300 at $299.95 if you want a boombox speaker instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Authentics 200 | JBL Authentics 300 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $380 | $299.95 |
| Ranked | #3 of 13 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #30 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (App EQ) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Wifi, Aux, USB (US only) | - |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room) | Yes (Wi-Fi Multi-Room) |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Drivers | 5" full-range woofer, 2x 25mm tweeters | 1" tweeter + 4" woofer + passive radiators |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs / 4.2 kg | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg |
| Wifi | Yes | Yes |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~50Hz | 45Hz |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | - |
| Dimensions | 10.5" x 6.8" x 6.6" (266.3 x 171.7 x 167.4 mm) | 13.5" x 7.7" x 7.1" (342 x 195.6 x 180.3 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Passive Radiator | 6" down-firing | - |
| Power Input | AC Power Cable (100-240V) | AC Power cable |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa MRM | - |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) | - |
| Wifi Version | IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (2.4GHz/5GHz) | - |
| Output Power | 90W | 100W |
| Max Volume | - | 100dB |
| Omnidirectional | - | No |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| USB Playback | - | Yes |
| Built in Microphone | - | Yes |
| MicroSD Playback | - | No |
| Aux Input | - | No |
| Digital Aux Input | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Edifier D12 vs Marshall Woburn III
- JBL Boombox 2 vs Turtlebox
- Marshall Acton II vs Marshall Woburn III
- Audio Pro C5 MkII vs JBL Authentics 200
- JBL Authentics 200 vs Marshall Stanmore II
Prices on this page were last checked August 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
JBL Authentics 200: $380 Amazon eBay
Pros: Wi-Fi streaming with simultaneous Alexa and Google Assistant support, rare at this size. Well balanced sound that reviewers rate close to the pricier Authentics 300. Measured about 113dB at 1kHz on max volume, matching the bigger 300 despite the smaller cabinet.
Cons: Bass not as deep as others. No TWS. No IP rating. Not as loud as others. Not much battery life.
Full JBL Authentics 200 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~50Hz |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 10.5" x 6.8" x 6.6" (266.3 x 171.7 x 167.4 mm) |
| Drivers | 5" full-range woofer, 2x 25mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Wifi, Aux, USB (US only) |
| Output Power | 90W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room) |
| Passive Radiator | 6" down-firing |
| Power Input | AC Power Cable (100-240V) |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa MRM |
| TWS | No |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs / 4.2 kg |
| Wifi | Yes |
| Wifi Version | IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (2.4GHz/5GHz) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Danny Pops: JBL Authentics 200 Full Review - This might be the best buy More from DannyPops →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Klipsch The One Plus vs JBL Authentics 200 - 🛜 Battle of the Home Speakers🔌Guest Lando Calrissian 😆 More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Reddit Search for JBL Authentics 200 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Authentics 200 vs Edifier D12
- JBL Authentics 200 vs Marshall Woburn III
- JBL Authentics 200 vs Audio Pro C5 MkII
- JBL Authentics 200 vs Marshall Woburn II
- JBL Authentics 200 vs Marshall Woburn I
- JBL Authentics 200 vs Marshall Stanmore II
- JBL Authentics 200 vs Marshall Acton III
- JBL Authentics 200 vs Marshall Acton II
- See all 10 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.
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 →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| 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 |
| Max Volume | 100dB |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 100W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi Multi-Room) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg |
| Wifi | 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 →
- Reddit Search for JBL Authentics 300 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Authentics 300 vs JBL Boombox 2
- JBL Authentics 300 vs B&O Beolit 20
- JBL Authentics 300 vs Teufel Boomster 2021
- JBL Authentics 300 vs Soundcore Boom 2 Plus
- JBL Authentics 300 vs Zealot ZE01
- JBL Authentics 300 vs Zealot S95
- JBL Authentics 300 vs LG Xboom Stage 301
- JBL Authentics 300 vs Teufel Boomster NG (2017)
- See all 26 comparisons