Short answer: the JBL Authentics 200 for better sound quality, the Sonos Era 100 for the lower price. The JBL Authentics 200 ranks #8 of 16 powered desktop speakers at $380. The Sonos Era 100 ranks #12 at $219, $161 cheaper.
The case for the JBL Authentics 200: Wi-Fi streaming with simultaneous Alexa and Google Assistant support, rare at this size. The tradeoff: Bass not as deep as others.
The case for the Sonos Era 100: RTINGS lists room correction tools and bass/treble adjustments as its real strengths, and its balanced midrange suits a wide range of genres, with wider stereo separation than the mono Sonos One SL it replaced thanks to two angled tweeters plus a 25% larger mid-woofer than the original Sonos One. The tradeoff: RTINGS’ own two listed cons are not loud enough for larger rooms and very little low-bass thump, so genres like EDM and hip-hop lack rumble even with the tone adjustments.
Buy the JBL Authentics 200 when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Sonos Era 100 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Sonos Era 100. It ranks near the bottom of the 16 powered desktop speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Authentics 200 | Sonos Era 100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $380 each | $219.00 each |
| Ranked | #8 of 16 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #12 of 16 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Sonos S2) |
| Battery Life | No Battery | No Battery |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (Bass/Treble + Trueplay room correction) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Wifi, Aux, USB (US only) | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C (line-in adapter sold separately) |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room) | Yes (Sonos multi-room, AirPlay 2) |
| 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 | 2x angled tweeters, 1x mid-woofer |
| TWS | No | Yes (stereo pairing via Sonos app) |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs (4.2 kg) | 4.5 lbs (2.02 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (2.4GHz/5GHz)) | Yes (Wi-Fi 6) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~50Hz | - |
| 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) | 7.2" x 4.7" x 5.1" (182.5 x 120 x 130.5 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Power Input | AC Power Cable (100-240V) | External AC adapter |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa MRM | Sonos app streaming (Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and more), AirPlay 2 |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) | Amazon Alexa |
| Amplifier Power | 90W | - |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | Yes | Yes (line-in adapter sold separately) |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.3 | Yes, 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes (far-field, mic mute button) |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Discontinued | - | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 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 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
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Sonos Era 100: $219.00 each Amazon eBay
Pros: RTINGS lists room correction tools and bass/treble adjustments as its real strengths, and its balanced midrange suits a wide range of genres, with wider stereo separation than the mono Sonos One SL it replaced thanks to two angled tweeters plus a 25% larger mid-woofer than the original Sonos One. Alexa is built in with a far-field mic, and it ties into the wider Sonos S2 app ecosystem for multi-room audio.
Cons: RTINGS’ own two listed cons are not loud enough for larger rooms and very little low-bass thump, so genres like EDM and hip-hop lack rumble even with the tone adjustments. There’s no Google Assistant, the USB-C line-in needs a separately purchased adapter, and there’s no battery.
Full Sonos Era 100 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Sonos S2) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (far-field, mic mute button) |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.2" x 4.7" x 5.1" (182.5 x 120 x 130.5 mm) |
| Discontinued | No |
| Drivers | 2x angled tweeters, 1x mid-woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble + Trueplay room correction) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C (line-in adapter sold separately) |
| Optical Input | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Sonos multi-room, AirPlay 2) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | External AC adapter |
| RCA Input | No |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Streaming Services | Sonos app streaming (Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and more), AirPlay 2 |
| TRS Input | No |
| TWS | Yes (stereo pairing via Sonos app) |
| USB Input | Yes (line-in adapter sold separately) |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa |
| Weight | 4.5 lbs (2.02 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (Wi-Fi 6) |
| XLR Input | No |
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