Different classes, so treat this as a step-up-or-not question rather than a head-to-head. The JBL Authentics 300 ranks #39 of 85 boombox speakers by sound quality at $299.95; the Klipsch The Three Plus ranks #18 of 19 powered desktop speakers by sound quality at $269.99.
The case for the JBL Authentics 300: Integrates both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant simultaneously (rare for smart speakers). Watch for: Narrow sounding, bass not as deep as others.
What the Klipsch The Three Plus does well: Two 2.25in full-range drivers and a 5.25in woofer with two opposing passive radiators, biamplified with 120W, play far louder than the small tabletop cabinet suggests: TechRadar and Trusted Reviews both found it stayed composed and unstressed at very high volume, with controlled, textured bass and a fairly detailed, communicative midrange. The tradeoff: The tuning leans heavily on bass: TechRadar called it on the warm side of neutral with the treble only just holding its own, and HomeTheaterHifi found the treble turned sharp and piercing at higher volumes.
Buy the JBL Authentics 300 at $299.95 if you want a boombox speaker. Buy the Klipsch The Three Plus at $269.99 if you want a powered desktop speaker instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings and Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Authentics 300 | Klipsch The Three Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.95 | $269.99 each |
| Ranked | #39 of 85 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #18 of 19 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Klipsch Connect) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | No Battery |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | Yes |
| IP Rating | None | - |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 106dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi Multi-Room) | - |
| Power Input | AC Power cable | - |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Omnidirectional | No | - |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) | 10.6 lbs (4.8 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| USB Playback | Yes | - |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| MicroSD Playback | No | - |
| Aux Input | No | No (RCA line input) |
| Amplifier Power | 100W | 120W total |
| Dimensions | 13.5” x 7.7” x 7.1” (342 x 195.6 x 180.3 mm) | 7”H x 14”W x 8.4”D (178 x 356 x 213 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” tweeter + 4” woofer + passive radiators | 2x 2.25” full-range drivers, 5.25” long-throw woofer, 2x 5.25” passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) | None |
| Strap | No | - |
| Frequency Response | - | 45Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | - | Yes, 5.3 |
| Inputs | - | Bluetooth, Optical, Phono/RCA, USB-C |
| RCA Input | - | Yes |
| USB Input | - | Yes |
| Optical Input | - | Yes (24-bit/96kHz) |
| XLR Input | - | No |
| TRS Input | - | No |
| Coaxial Input | - | No |
| HDMI Input | - | No |
| AES Input | - | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 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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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. 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 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
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- Alan Ross Reviews: Not quite! JBL Authentics 300 review and sound test vs Boombox 3, Encore and Stormbox Blast More from alanrossreviews →
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Klipsch The Three Plus: $269.99 each Amazon eBay
Older model: the Klipsch The Three II (ranked higher, rated 3.4/5).
Pros: Two 2.25in full-range drivers and a 5.25in woofer with two opposing passive radiators, biamplified with 120W, play far louder than the small tabletop cabinet suggests: TechRadar and Trusted Reviews both found it stayed composed and unstressed at very high volume, with controlled, textured bass and a fairly detailed, communicative midrange. Inputs cover Bluetooth 5.3, a switchable phono/line RCA input for a turntable, 24-bit/96kHz optical and USB-C playback, and the Klipsch Connect app adds a three-band EQ with presets and a night mode.
Cons: The tuning leans heavily on bass: TechRadar called it on the warm side of neutral with the treble only just holding its own, and HomeTheaterHifi found the treble turned sharp and piercing at higher volumes. Both TechRadar and Trusted Reviews found the built-in phono stage flat and less dynamic than the other inputs, so vinyl sounds its weakest here. Stereo separation is limited by the single cabinet, there is no 3.5mm aux or subwoofer output, and HomeTheaterHifi found the app and volume wheel laggy. ASR’s measurements of the original Klipsch The Three, which used the same driver layout, showed an uneven response, so treat its tonal balance with some caution.
Full Klipsch The Three Plus review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 120W total |
| App | Yes (Klipsch Connect) |
| Aux Input | No (RCA line input) |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7”H x 14”W x 8.4”D (178 x 356 x 213 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.25” full-range drivers, 5.25” long-throw woofer, 2x 5.25” passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Optical, Phono/RCA, USB-C |
| Maximum SPL | 106dB |
| Optical Input | Yes (24-bit/96kHz) |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | None |
| Weight | 10.6 lbs (4.8 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples