Short answer: the JBL Authentics 500 for better sound quality, the JBL Authentics 200 for the lower price. The JBL Authentics 500 ranks #3 of 4 powered desktop speakers at $600. The JBL Authentics 200 ranks #3 at $380, $220 cheaper.
The case for the JBL Authentics 200: Wi-Fi streaming with simultaneous Alexa and Google Assistant support, rare at this size. Set against that: Bass not as deep as others. No TWS.
What the JBL Authentics 500 offers: Quite powerful sound, and quite deep bass for the size. Watch for: No battery.
Buy the JBL Authentics 200 if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the JBL Authentics 500 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Authentics 200 | JBL Authentics 500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $380 | $600 |
| Ranked | #3 of 13 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #3 of 4 in Large Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | No Battery |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| 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) | Yes |
| Drivers | 5" full-range woofer, 2x 25mm tweeters | 6.5" (down-firing subwoofer), 3x 2.75" midranges, 3x 1" (25mm aluminum dome) tweeters |
| TWS | No | - |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs / 4.2 kg | 17.2 lbs / 7.8 kg |
| Wifi | Yes | Yes (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, 2.4GHz/5GHz) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~50Hz | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 10.5" x 6.8" x 6.6" (266.3 x 171.7 x 167.4 mm) | 17.6" x 9.4" x 10.1" (447 x 240 x 255.7 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 40Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Passive Radiator | 6" down-firing | - |
| Power Input | AC Power Cable (100-240V) | - |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa MRM | AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Alexa MRM |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
| Wifi Version | IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (2.4GHz/5GHz) | - |
| Output Power | 90W | 270W (Max @ THD 1%) |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
| Dolby Atmos | - | Yes (virtual) |
| Ethernet | - | Yes |
| Power Supply | - | 100 - 240V AC, ~ 50/60Hz |
| Sound System | - | 3.1 channel |
| USB | - | Type-C (USB playback US only) |
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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.
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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
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JBL Authentics 500: $600 Amazon eBay
Pros: Quite powerful sound, and quite deep bass for the size.
Cons: No battery. Boosted upper bass. Peaky upper mids.
Full JBL Authentics 500 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| 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) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Output Power | 270W (Max @ THD 1%) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room) |
| Power Supply | 100 - 240V AC, ~ 50/60Hz |
| Sound System | 3.1 channel |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Alexa MRM |
| USB | Type-C (USB playback US only) |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
| Weight | 17.2 lbs / 7.8 kg |
| Wifi | Yes (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, 2.4GHz/5GHz) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons