Short answer: the LG xboom Blast. It ranks #33 of 98 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $500; the JBL Authentics 300 ranks #44, rated 3.5/5, at $499.95. The price gap is small enough that the sound-quality ranking should decide it.
The JBL Authentics 300 is the lighter option. Integrates both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant simultaneously (rare for smart speakers). At 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the LG xboom Blast at 14.1 lbs (6.4 kg). The tradeoff: Narrow sounding, bass not as deep as others.
The LG xboom Blast is the longer-running, tougher option. Bench tests confirm its 220 watt rating, with two 5.25 inch woofers and Peerless tweeters that play louder than the JBL Boombox 4 in side by side outdoor tests. It is rated for 36 hours of battery against 8 for the JBL Authentics 300. It is rated IP68, while the JBL Authentics 300 has no water resistance. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Authentics 300 lacks. The catch: No measurements, so its rating is estimated from listening tests.
Buy the LG xboom Blast. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $0.05 you would save on the JBL Authentics 300 does not close the gap.
About the ratings: the LG xboom Blast’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 3.4 to 4.1, so this verdict could change once it is measured.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Authentics 300 | LG xboom Blast | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.95 | $500.00 |
| Ranked | #44 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #33 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers Estimated |
| App | Yes | Yes (LG xboom app) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 36 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | Yes (6 band custom EQ) |
| IP Rating | None | IP68 |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi Multi-Room) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Input | AC Power cable | - |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | - |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) | 14.1 lbs (6.4 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes (USB-C digital audio) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| MicroSD Playback | No | - |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 100W | 220W (AC), 210W (battery) |
| Dimensions | 13.5” x 7.7” x 7.1” (342 x 195.6 x 180.3 mm) | 19.8” x 8.9” x 8.1” (502 x 225 x 207 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” tweeter + 4” woofer + passive radiators | 2x 5.25” woofers, 2x 20mm Peerless tweeters, 3x passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.4 |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) | - |
| Strap | No | Yes (rope side handle) |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to LG xboom Blast:
- JBL Boombox 4 vs LG xboom Blast
- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs LG xboom Blast
- Brane X vs JBL Authentics 300
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs JBL Authentics 300
- JBL Authentics 300 vs Teufel Boomster 4
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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: $499.95 Amazon $499.95 eBay
Same family: the JBL Authentics 200 (smaller model, rated 3.7/5) and the JBL Authentics 500 (larger model, 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 →
| Released | Sep 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| 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 →
- Storytripper HD: W-King H330 vs JBL Authentics 300 More from storytripperhd →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- JBL Authentics 300 vs Onn Pro X Large Boom Boombox
- JBL Authentics 300 vs Teufel Boomster 4
- JBL Authentics 300 vs Teufel Boomster 2021
- JBL Authentics 300 vs W-King D20
- See all 110 comparisons
LG xboom Blast: $500.00 Estimated Amazon $500.00 eBay
Pros: Bench tests confirm its 220 watt rating, with two 5.25 inch woofers and Peerless tweeters that play louder than the JBL Boombox 4 in side by side outdoor tests. Rated for 36 hours from a removable 99 Wh battery, IP68 dust and water protection, USB-C lossless wired playback, Auracast linking and a six band app EQ that reaches lower than JBL’s.
Cons: No measurements, so its rating is estimated from listening tests. The default bass boost causes audible muddiness at high volume, and like other two way boomboxes it compresses and trims bass when pushed. No analog aux input, and at about 6.4 kg and $500 it costs and weighs as much as the JBL Boombox 4.
Full LG xboom Blast review and specifications →
| Released | Aug 2026 (2 months ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 220W (AC), 210W (battery) |
| App | Yes (LG xboom app) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 36 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 19.8” x 8.9” x 8.1” (502 x 225 x 207 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 5.25” woofers, 2x 20mm Peerless tweeters, 3x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (6 band custom EQ) |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (rope side handle) |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes (USB-C digital audio) |
| Weight | 14.1 lbs (6.4 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Simplificasom: Real Power Test: Does the LG XBOOM Blast ACTUALLY Hit 220 Watts?
- Simplificasom: JBL BOOMBOX 4 PERDEU? contra LG xBoom Blast e Sabala DR-909 (Análise Técnica)
- TWSemfoco: LANÇAMENTO LG XBOOM BLAST. Tem muita diferença da TRIBIT BLAST 2 ?
- TWSemfoco: LG XBOOM BLAST em TWS não aguentou a pressão da TRONSMART BANG 2 ULTRA!
- Jeff Recommends: SABALA DR-300 Vs LG XBOOM BLAST 220W: QUAL A MELHOR CAIXA DE SOM BOOMBOX? (Comparativo)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons