Different classes, so treat this as a step-up-or-not question rather than a head-to-head. The JBL Authentics 300 ranks #30 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $299.95; the JBL Authentics 500 ranks #3 of 4 powered desktop speakers by sound quality at $600.
What the JBL Authentics 300 gets right: Integrates both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant simultaneously (rare for smart speakers). Retro seventies design with leather and Quadrex grille. Set against that: Narrow sounding, bass not as deep as others. Peaky upper mids.
The case for the JBL Authentics 500: Quite powerful sound, and quite deep bass for the size. The catch: No battery.
Buy the JBL Authentics 300 at $299.95 if you want a boombox speaker. Buy the JBL Authentics 500 at $600 if you want a powered desktop speaker instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Authentics 300 | JBL Authentics 500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.95 | $600 |
| Ranked | #30 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #3 of 4 in Large Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | No Battery |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | Yes |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Max Volume | 100dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi Multi-Room) | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room) |
| Power Input | AC Power cable | - |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | - |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg | 17.2 lbs / 7.8 kg |
| Wifi | Yes | Yes (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, 2.4GHz/5GHz) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| USB Playback | Yes | - |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | - |
| MicroSD Playback | No | - |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Output Power | 100W | 270W (Max @ THD 1%) |
| Dimensions | 13.5" x 7.7" x 7.1" (342 x 195.6 x 180.3 mm) | 17.6" x 9.4" x 10.1" (447 x 240 x 255.7 mm) |
| Drivers | 1" tweeter + 4" woofer + passive radiators | 6.5" (down-firing subwoofer), 3x 2.75" midranges, 3x 1" (25mm aluminum dome) tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 |
| Dolby Atmos | - | Yes (virtual) |
| Ethernet | - | Yes |
| Frequency Response | - | 40Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Supply | - | 100 - 240V AC, ~ 50/60Hz |
| Sound System | - | 3.1 channel |
| Streaming Services | - | AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Alexa MRM |
| USB | - | Type-C (USB playback US only) |
| Voice Assistants | - | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
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- LG Xboom Stage 301 vs B&O Beolit 20
- JBL Authentics 500 vs JBL Boombox 3
- JBL Authentics 300 vs B&O Beolit 20
Prices on this page were last checked August 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 300: $299.95 Amazon eBay
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 |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Authentics 300 - sound quality test More from Oluv’Sone →
- 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 More from alanrossreviews →
- Reddit Search for JBL Authentics 300 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- JBL Authentics 300 vs Zealot ZE01
- JBL Authentics 300 vs Zealot S95
- JBL Authentics 300 vs LG Xboom Stage 301
- JBL Authentics 300 vs Teufel Boomster NG (2017)
- See all 26 comparisons
JBL Authentics 500: $600 Amazon eBay
Pros: Quite powerful sound, and quite deep bass for the size.
Cons: No battery. Boosted upper bass. Peaky upper mids.
Full JBL Authentics 500 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 17.6" x 9.4" x 10.1" (447 x 240 x 255.7 mm) |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes (virtual) |
| Drivers | 6.5" (down-firing subwoofer), 3x 2.75" midranges, 3x 1" (25mm aluminum dome) tweeters |
| EQ | Yes |
| Ethernet | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Output Power | 270W (Max @ THD 1%) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room) |
| Power Supply | 100 - 240V AC, ~ 50/60Hz |
| Sound System | 3.1 channel |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Alexa MRM |
| USB | Type-C (USB playback US only) |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
| Weight | 17.2 lbs / 7.8 kg |
| Wifi | Yes (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, 2.4GHz/5GHz) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons