Short answer: the JBL Authentics 300. It ranks #30 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $299.95; the B&O Beolit 20 ranks #31 and costs $649.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the JBL Authentics 300 offers: Integrates both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant simultaneously (rare for smart speakers). Watch for: Narrow sounding, bass not as deep as others.
On the B&O Beolit 20 side: Wireless phone charging. Set against that: Warm sound.
Buy the JBL Authentics 300. It ranks higher for sound quality than the B&O Beolit 20 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If water resistance matters to you, the B&O Beolit 20 at IPX4 (splashing) holds up far better than the JBL Authentics 300 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Authentics 300 | B&O Beolit 20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.95 | $649.99 |
| Ranked | #30 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #31 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Bang & Olufsen app) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | None | IPX4 |
| Max Volume | 100dB | 93dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi Multi-Room) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cable | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg | 6 lbs / 2.7 kg |
| Wifi | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| MicroSD Playback | No | - |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Output Power | 100W | 240W peak |
| Dimensions | 13.5" x 7.7" x 7.1" (342 x 195.6 x 180.3 mm) | 5.3" x 9.1" x 7.4" (135 x 230 x 189 mm) |
| Drivers | 1" tweeter + 4" woofer + passive radiators | 2x 30mm tweeters + 2x 40mm mid-range + 1x 60mm woofer + dual passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs JBL Boombox 2
- JBL Boombox 2 vs Sony ULT Field 7
- JBL Boombox 2 vs Demerbox DB2
- Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 vs B&O Beolit 20
- B&O Beolit 20 vs JBL Partybox On the Go
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Authentics 300: $299.95 Amazon
Pros: Integrates both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant simultaneously (rare for smart speakers). Retro seventies design with leather and Quadrex grille. 100-watt amp, carries well with leather-trimmed handle. Rechargeable battery rated ~8 hours.
Cons: Narrow sounding, bass not as deep as others. Peaky upper mids. No TWS. No IP rating. Not as loud as others. Not much battery life.
Full JBL Authentics 300 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 13.5" x 7.7" x 7.1" (342 x 195.6 x 180.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 1" tweeter + 4" woofer + passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Max Volume | 100dB |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 100W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi Multi-Room) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg |
| Wifi | Yes |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Authentics 300 - sound quality test
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Authentics 300 - update
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Authentics 300 - listening session
- Alan Ross Reviews: Not quite! JBL Authentics 300 review and sound test vs Boombox 3, Encore and Stormbox Blast
- Reddit Search for JBL Authentics 300 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Authentics 300 vs JBL Boombox 2
- JBL Authentics 300 vs Soundcore Boom 2 Plus
- JBL Authentics 300 vs Zealot ZE01
- JBL Authentics 300 vs Zealot S95
- JBL Authentics 300 vs LG Xboom Stage 301
- JBL Authentics 300 vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3
- JBL Authentics 300 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
- JBL Authentics 300 vs JBL Boombox 3
- See all 21 comparisons
B&O Beolit 20: $649.99 Amazon
Pros: Wireless phone charging.
Cons: Warm sound. Rolled off treble. Bass not as deep as the Onyx Studio 7
Full B&O Beolit 20 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Bang & Olufsen app) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5.3" x 9.1" x 7.4" (135 x 230 x 189 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 30mm tweeters + 2x 40mm mid-range + 1x 60mm woofer + dual passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Max Volume | 93dB |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Output Power | 240W peak |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 6 lbs / 2.7 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: B&O Beolit 20 vs Earfun UBoom X - everything fake?
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: $600 premium Bluetooth speaker vs $115 cheapo UBoom X
- techkiste.net: B&O Beolit 20 vs Vifa Copenhagen 2.0 sound-comparison with different music-genres
- Oluv Patreon: B&O Beolit 20 - frequency response measurements
- Reddit Search for B&O Beolit 20 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons