Short answer: the Marshall Woburn III. It ranks #2 of 17 powered desktop speakers by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $599.99. The JBL Authentics 200 ranks #8, rated 3.7/5, at $380, $219.99 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The Authentics 200 punches well above its size. Our notes say it measured about 113dB at 1kHz on max volume, matching the much larger Authentics 300 despite its smaller cabinet, and describe its sound as well balanced, rated by reviewers close to that pricier 300 model. The Woburn III’s own notes are unflattering by comparison: hollow sounding, with peaky upper mids and bass that doesn’t dig as deep as others in its class.
Wi-Fi is the Authentics 200’s other big advantage. It streams over Wi-Fi with simultaneous Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant support, rare at this size, plus AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, and JBL’s Wi-Fi multi-room party mode. The Woburn III has none of that: no Wi-Fi, no voice assistants, and no multi-speaker party mode, relying instead on Bluetooth, HDMI, RCA, and aux inputs.
The Woburn III does have a size and power advantage. Its 6-inch woofer and dual midrange and tweeter pairs put out 150W against the Authentics 200’s 90W from a single 5-inch driver, and it reaches deeper on paper (about 45Hz bass extension against about 50Hz). It’s also nearly twice as heavy at 16.4 lbs against 9.3 lbs, reflecting its larger build.
Buy the Authentics 200. It measures louder, sounds better according to our notes, and adds Wi-Fi streaming and voice assistants, all for less money.
Buy the Woburn III only if you specifically want its larger cabinet, higher rated wattage, or HDMI input, and can accept a less balanced sound.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Authentics 200 | Marshall Woburn III | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $380 each | $599.99 each |
| Ranked | #8 of 17 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #2 of 17 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | No Battery |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (Bass/Treble) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Wifi, Aux, USB (US only) | Bluetooth, HDMI, RCA, Aux |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room) | No |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Yes |
| 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 | 6" woofer, 2x 2" midranges, 2x 0.75" Dome tweeters |
| TWS | No | No |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs (4.2 kg) | 16.4 lbs (7.44 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (2.4GHz/5GHz)) | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~50Hz | ~45Hz |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Dimensions | 10.5" x 6.8" x 6.6" (266.3 x 171.7 x 167.4 mm) | 15.7" x 12.5" x 8" (400 x 317 x 203 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 35Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Input | AC Power Cable (100-240V) | AC Power cord |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa MRM | - |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 90W | 150W (Woofer: 90W, Midrange: 2x15W, Tweeters: 2x15W) |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | Yes | No |
| HDMI Input | No | Yes |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.3 | Yes, 5.2 |
| Maximum SPL | - | 100.5dB @ 1m |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Marshall Woburn III:
- Audio Pro C5 MkII vs Marshall Woburn III
- Marshall Woburn II vs Marshall Woburn III
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- Edifier D12 vs Marshall Woburn III
Prices on this page were last checked September 23, 2026 at 11:24 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 |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Authentics 200 vs Edifier D12
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- JBL Authentics 200 vs Marshall Stanmore III
- JBL Authentics 200 vs Apple HomePod 2nd Gen
- JBL Authentics 200 vs Denon Home 250
- JBL Authentics 200 vs Marshall Woburn I
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Marshall Woburn III: $599.99 each Amazon eBay
Pros: At 7.44 kg, Marshall Woburn III combines 6” woofer, 2x 2” midranges, 2x 0.75” Dome tweeters with Bluetooth, HDMI, RCA, Aux. Up to 100.5db @ 1m and stereo playback make its feature set practical for its intended room or portable use. Measured bass extension of ~45Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its ~45Hz specification.
Full Marshall Woburn III review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 150W (Woofer: 90W, Midrange: 2x15W, Tweeters: 2x15W) |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~45Hz |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.2 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 15.7" x 12.5" x 8" (400 x 317 x 203 mm) |
| Drivers | 6" woofer, 2x 2" midranges, 2x 0.75" Dome tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble) |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, HDMI, RCA, Aux |
| Maximum SPL | 100.5dB @ 1m |
| Optical Input | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| TWS | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 16.4 lbs (7.44 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Marshall Woburn III vs Marshall Woburn II
- Marshall Woburn III vs Audio Pro C5 MkII
- Marshall Woburn III vs Marshall Woburn I
- Marshall Woburn III vs Marshall Stanmore III
- Marshall Woburn III vs Edifier D12
- Marshall Woburn III vs Marshall Acton III
- Marshall Woburn III vs Marshall Stanmore II
- Marshall Woburn III vs Marshall Acton II
- See all 9 comparisons