These sit in different size classes, so this is not a straight ranking comparison. The JBL Authentics 200 ranks #10 of 29 powered desktop speakers by sound quality at $199.95; the Sonos Play ranks #56 of 178 medium speakers by sound quality at $299.
The case for the JBL Authentics 200: A retro styled Wi-Fi speaker that plays surprisingly loud and runs Alexa and Google Assistant at the same time. It links with other speakers (Wi-Fi multi-room), which the Sonos Play cannot. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Sonos Play lacks. Watch for: Bass not as deep as others.
The Sonos Play is the battery-powered, tougher option. A Wi-Fi and Bluetooth portable with wide stereo sound, a long lasting swappable battery, waterproofing and full Sonos multiroom support. Its battery is rated for 24 hours, while the JBL Authentics 200 needs an outlet. It is rated IP67, while the JBL Authentics 200 has no water resistance. The catch: Bass distorts noticeably on bass-heavy tracks at default settings, and the distortion persists even after enabling Trueplay tuning and manually pulling bass back in the app.
Buy the JBL Authentics 200 at $199.95 for a powered desktop speaker, or the Sonos Play at $299 for a medium speaker instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings and Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A retro styled Wi-Fi speaker that plays surprisingly loud and runs Alexa and Google Assistant at the same time.
A Wi-Fi and Bluetooth portable with wide stereo sound, a long lasting swappable battery, waterproofing and full Sonos multiroom support.
Prices on this page were last checked November 5, 2026 at 10:30 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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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Authentics 200 | Sonos Play | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.95 each | $299.00 |
| Ranked | #10 of 29 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #56 of 178 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Wifi, Aux, USB (US only) | - |
| IP Rating | None | IP67 |
| 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 | mid-woofer, 2x angled tweeters |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs (4.2 kg) | 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (2.4GHz/5GHz)) | Yes |
| 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) | 7.6” x 4.4” x 3” (192.3 x 112.5 x 76.7 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Power Input | AC Power Cable (100-240V) | USB-C |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa MRM | - |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) | Amazon Alexa (Sonos Voice Control also built in) |
| Amplifier Power | 90W | - |
| XLR Input | No | - |
| RCA Input | No | - |
| TRS Input | No | - |
| Optical Input | No | - |
| Coaxial Input | No | - |
| USB Input | Yes | - |
| HDMI Input | No | - |
| AES Input | No | - |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Omnidirectional | - | No |
| Digital Aux Input | - | No |
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