Short answer: these are different products wearing the same retro design language. The Authentics 300 ranks #41 of 7 boombox speakers, a portable, battery-powered speaker. The Authentics 500 ranks #4 of a much smaller field of powered desktop speakers, a plug-in home system with no battery at all. They share the leather-and-Quadrex-grille look, not a category.
The Authentics 500 is the far more capable sounding and more powerful of the two. Our notes call its bass quite deep for its size and its sound quite powerful overall, backed by a 3.1-channel system with a down-firing subwoofer, three midranges, and three tweeters putting out up to 270W. The Authentics 300’s notes are less flattering: narrow sounding, bass not as deep as competitors, and peaky upper mids, from a single 4-inch woofer and one tweeter at 100W.
The Authentics 500 also goes far beyond Bluetooth. It connects over Wi-Fi and Ethernet with AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, and Tidal Connect built in, plus virtual Dolby Atmos. The Authentics 300 is portable in exchange for all of that: it runs about 8 hours on battery, weighs under 11 lbs (5 kg), and still packs in both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant simultaneously, a feature both speakers share.
Buy the Authentics 300 if you want a portable, battery-powered boombox you can carry room to room or outside, and can accept a narrower, less bassy sound.
Buy the Authentics 500 if you want a stationary home speaker with real power, deep bass, and modern streaming support, and don’t need it to leave a power outlet.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings and Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Authentics 300 | JBL Authentics 500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.95 | $449.95 each |
| Ranked | #41 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #4 of 7 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 |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi Multi-Room) | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room) |
| Power Input | AC Power cable | 100 - 240V AC, ~ 50/60Hz |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | - |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) | 17.2 lbs (7.8 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, 2.4GHz/5GHz) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| USB Playback | Yes | - |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| MicroSD Playback | No | - |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Amplifier 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 | 5.3 |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
| Strap | No | - |
| Dolby Atmos | - | Yes (virtual) |
| Ethernet | - | Yes |
| Frequency Response | - | 40Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Configuration | - | 3.1 channel |
| Streaming Services | - | AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Alexa MRM |
| Inputs | - | USB-C (USB playback, US only) |
| XLR Input | - | No |
| RCA Input | - | No |
| TRS Input | - | No |
| Optical Input | - | No |
| Coaxial Input | - | No |
| USB Input | - | Yes |
| HDMI Input | - | No |
| AES Input | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL Authentics 300:
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs JBL Authentics 300
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Authentics 300
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Authentics 300
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Authentics 300
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs JBL Authentics 300
Prices on this page were last checked October 5, 2026 at 10:21 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Authentics 300: $299.95 Amazon eBay
Smaller model: the JBL Authentics 200 (rated 3.7/5).
Larger model: the JBL Authentics 500 (rated 4.1/5).
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. Measured bass extension of 45Hz (-10dB).
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 →
| Amplifier Power | 100W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| 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 |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi Multi-Room) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | 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 →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Authentics 300 vs JBL Boombox 2
- JBL Authentics 300 vs B&O Beolit 20
- JBL Authentics 300 vs Aiwa Exos-10
- JBL Authentics 300 vs W-King X20
- JBL Authentics 300 vs onn Pro X Large Boom Boombox
- JBL Authentics 300 vs W-King D20
- JBL Authentics 300 vs Teufel Boomster 4
- JBL Authentics 300 vs Soundcore Boom 2 Plus
- See all 109 comparisons
JBL Authentics 500: $449.95 each Amazon eBay
Smaller models: the JBL Authentics 300 (rated 3.5/5) and the JBL Authentics 200 (rated 3.7/5).
Pros: JBL Authentics 500 uses 6.5” (down-firing subwoofer), 3x 2.75” midranges, 3x 1” (25mm aluminum dome) tweeters. Its 7.8 kg, aux input and stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use.
Cons: Its 40Hz to 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) specification points to limited deep-bass reach for the cabinet size.
Full JBL Authentics 500 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 270W (Max @ THD 1%) |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | 3.1 channel |
| 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) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | USB-C (USB playback, US only) |
| Optical Input | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room) |
| Power Input | 100 - 240V AC, ~ 50/60Hz |
| RCA Input | No |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Alexa MRM |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
| Weight | 17.2 lbs (7.8 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, 2.4GHz/5GHz) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Authentics 500 vs Sonos Era 300
- JBL Authentics 500 vs Sonos Five
- JBL Authentics 500 vs B&W Zeppelin
- JBL Authentics 500 vs B&O Beosound 2
- JBL Authentics 500 vs B&W Zeppelin Pro
- JBL Authentics 500 vs Denon Home 350
- JBL Authentics 500 vs JBL Boombox 3
- JBL Authentics 500 vs JBL Authentics 200
- See all 33 comparisons