Short answer: the JBL Authentics 300. It ranks #40 of 89 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 3.5/5, at $299.95. The Pioneer PBM5 ranks #89, rated 2.0/5, at $149, $150.95 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
What the JBL Authentics 300 does well: Integrates both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant simultaneously (rare for smart speakers). Watch for: Narrow sounding, bass not as deep as others.
What the Pioneer PBM5 does well: Loud for its size: Williston Audio Labs measured about 105 dB at 2 meters, louder than the Turtlebox Original Gen3 and Kicker Bullfrog BF400 in the same test. The catch: Williston Audio Labs was not impressed with its sound: there is very little bass below 100Hz, and the amplifier’s output has a big dip from 1.6kHz to 10kHz that leaves the upper mids and treble recessed.
Buy the JBL Authentics 300. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $150.95 saving on the Pioneer PBM5 is not enough to make up the difference.
Battery life favors the Pioneer PBM5: rated for 13 hours against 8 hours for the JBL Authentics 300.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the Pioneer PBM5 at IPX5 (water jets) against the JBL Authentics 300, which has no water resistance.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Authentics 300 | Pioneer PBM5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.95 | $149.00 |
| Ranked | #40 of 89 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #89 of 89 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 13 hours at 60% volume (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | Yes (presets + user EQ) |
| IP Rating | None | IPX5 |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 105dB at 2m (measured by Williston Audio Labs) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi Multi-Room) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Input | AC Power cable | USB-C or AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | 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 | - |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes (MP3 only) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| MicroSD Playback | No | - |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | 100W | 300W peak (Manufacturer specified), about 90W measured |
| Dimensions | 13.5” x 7.7” x 7.1” (342 x 195.6 x 180.3 mm) | 8.9”H x 17.4”W x 8.1”D (226 x 442 x 207 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” tweeter + 4” woofer + passive radiators | 2x 133mm (5.25”) woofers + 2x 51mm (2”) tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.4 |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) | - |
| Strap | No | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| Guitar Input | - | Yes |
| Lights | - | Yes |
| Microphone Input | - | Yes (2 inputs) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Authentics 300 compares with other leading options:
- 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 September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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
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 106 comparisons
Pioneer PBM5: $149.00 Sam’s Club eBay
Pros: Loud for its size: Williston Audio Labs measured about 105 dB at 2 meters, louder than the Turtlebox Original Gen3 and Kicker Bullfrog BF400 in the same test. Two 5.25 inch woofers and two 2 inch tweeters with a port tuned to 48Hz, two microphone inputs plus a guitar input with bass, treble and reverb controls for the mics, aux and USB playback, IPX5 splash resistance, RGB lights, a shoulder strap, Bluetooth 5.4 with Auracast, and charging from either USB-C or the included AC cord. A rated 13 hours at 60% volume.
Cons: Williston Audio Labs was not impressed with its sound: there is very little bass below 100Hz, and the amplifier’s output has a big dip from 1.6kHz to 10kHz that leaves the upper mids and treble recessed. None of the EQ presets fixed it, and a 1990 JVC boombox sounded cleaner. The amp measured about 90W in total, not the claimed 300W, and only about 23W per woofer channel on battery. USB playback is MP3 only, there is no audio output and no microphone in the box, and it is sold only at Sam’s Club.
Full Pioneer PBM5 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 300W peak (Manufacturer specified), about 90W measured |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 13 hours at 60% volume (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 8.9”H x 17.4”W x 8.1”D (226 x 442 x 207 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 133mm (5.25”) woofers + 2x 51mm (2”) tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (presets + user EQ) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 105dB at 2m (measured by Williston Audio Labs) |
| Microphone Input | Yes (2 inputs) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Input | USB-C or AC Power cord |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes (MP3 only) |
| Weight | 14.1 lbs (6.4 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons