Short answer: the JBL Authentics 200. It ranks #8 of 19 powered desktop speakers by sound quality, rated 3.7/5, at $380. The Klipsch The Three Plus ranks #18, rated 3.4/5, at $269.99, $110.01 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
Why pick the JBL Authentics 200: Wi-Fi streaming with simultaneous Alexa and Google Assistant support, rare at this size. Watch for: Bass not as deep as others.
The case for the Klipsch The Three Plus: Two 2.25in full-range drivers and a 5.25in woofer with two opposing passive radiators, biamplified with 120W, play far louder than the small tabletop cabinet suggests: TechRadar and Trusted Reviews both found it stayed composed and unstressed at very high volume, with controlled, textured bass and a fairly detailed, communicative midrange. The catch: The tuning leans heavily on bass: TechRadar called it on the warm side of neutral with the treble only just holding its own, and HomeTheaterHifi found the treble turned sharp and piercing at higher volumes.
Buy the JBL Authentics 200. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $110.01 with the Klipsch The Three Plus does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Authentics 200 | Klipsch The Three Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $380 each | $269.99 each |
| Ranked | #8 of 19 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #18 of 19 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Klipsch Connect) |
| Battery Life | No Battery | No Battery |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Wifi, Aux, USB (US only) | Bluetooth, Optical, Phono/RCA, USB-C |
| IP Rating | None | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room) | - |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Drivers | 5” full-range woofer, 2x 25mm tweeters; 6-inch down-firing passive radiator; 6-inch down-firing passive radiator; 6-inch down-firing passive radiator; 6-inch down-firing passive radiator | 2x 2.25” full-range drivers, 5.25” long-throw woofer, 2x 5.25” passive radiators |
| TWS | No | - |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs (4.2 kg) | 10.6 lbs (4.8 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (2.4GHz/5GHz)) | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~50Hz | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | 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) | 7”H x 14”W x 8.4”D (178 x 356 x 213 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 45Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Input | AC Power Cable (100-240V) | - |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa MRM | - |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) | None |
| Amplifier Power | 90W | 120W total |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes (24-bit/96kHz) |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | No (RCA line input) |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.3 | Yes, 5.3 |
| Maximum SPL | - | 106dB |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 29, 2026 at 3:43 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
JBL Authentics 200: $380 each 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. Measured bass extension of ~50Hz (-10dB).
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 →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 90W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~50Hz |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.3 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| 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; 6-inch down-firing passive radiator; 6-inch down-firing passive radiator; 6-inch down-firing passive radiator; 6-inch down-firing passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Wifi, Aux, USB (US only) |
| Optical Input | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room) |
| Power Input | AC Power Cable (100-240V) |
| RCA Input | No |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa MRM |
| TRS Input | No |
| TWS | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs (4.2 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (2.4GHz/5GHz)) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
| XLR Input | No |
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Klipsch The Three Plus: $269.99 each Amazon eBay
Older model: the Klipsch The Three II (ranked higher, rated 3.4/5).
Pros: Two 2.25in full-range drivers and a 5.25in woofer with two opposing passive radiators, biamplified with 120W, play far louder than the small tabletop cabinet suggests: TechRadar and Trusted Reviews both found it stayed composed and unstressed at very high volume, with controlled, textured bass and a fairly detailed, communicative midrange. Inputs cover Bluetooth 5.3, a switchable phono/line RCA input for a turntable, 24-bit/96kHz optical and USB-C playback, and the Klipsch Connect app adds a three-band EQ with presets and a night mode.
Cons: The tuning leans heavily on bass: TechRadar called it on the warm side of neutral with the treble only just holding its own, and HomeTheaterHifi found the treble turned sharp and piercing at higher volumes. Both TechRadar and Trusted Reviews found the built-in phono stage flat and less dynamic than the other inputs, so vinyl sounds its weakest here. Stereo separation is limited by the single cabinet, there is no 3.5mm aux or subwoofer output, and HomeTheaterHifi found the app and volume wheel laggy. ASR’s measurements of the original Klipsch The Three, which used the same driver layout, showed an uneven response, so treat its tonal balance with some caution.
Full Klipsch The Three Plus review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 120W total |
| App | Yes (Klipsch Connect) |
| Aux Input | No (RCA line input) |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7”H x 14”W x 8.4”D (178 x 356 x 213 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.25” full-range drivers, 5.25” long-throw woofer, 2x 5.25” passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Optical, Phono/RCA, USB-C |
| Maximum SPL | 106dB |
| Optical Input | Yes (24-bit/96kHz) |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | None |
| Weight | 10.6 lbs (4.8 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons