Short answer: the JBL Authentics 300 for better sound quality, the Soundcore Motion Boom+ for the lower price. The JBL Authentics 300 ranks #30 of 73 boombox speakers at $299.95. The Soundcore Motion Boom+ ranks #47 at $140, $159.95 cheaper.
What the JBL Authentics 300 offers: Integrates both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant simultaneously (rare for smart speakers). Watch for: Narrow sounding, bass not as deep as others.
On the Soundcore Motion Boom+ side: 80W stereo from dual 30W woofers + dual 10W tweeters with titanium drivers for treble clarity. Set against that: Default presets are all warm sounding with rolled off treble.
Buy the JBL Authentics 300 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Soundcore Motion Boom+ if the price matters more than sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the Soundcore Motion Boom+ is rated for 20 hours versus 8 hours for the JBL Authentics 300.
If water resistance matters to you, the Soundcore Motion Boom+ at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the JBL Authentics 300 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Authentics 300 | Soundcore Motion Boom+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.95 | $140 after $40 coupon, Discontinued |
| Ranked | #30 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #47 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Soundcore app) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz | 52Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | None | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 100dB | 108dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi Multi-Room) | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | AC Power cable | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg | 5.3 lbs / 2.4 kg |
| Wifi | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| MicroSD Playback | No | - |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Output Power | 100W | 80W |
| Dimensions | 13.5" x 7.7" x 7.1" (342 x 195.6 x 180.3 mm) | 15.1" x 5.1" x 7.7" (384 x 130 x 196 mm) |
| Drivers | 1" tweeter + 4" woofer + passive radiators | 30W: Dual drivers |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Latency | - | 17ms |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 33ms |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Authentics 300: $299.95 Amazon
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 |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Authentics 300 - sound quality test
- 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
- Reddit Search for JBL Authentics 300 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Authentics 300 vs JBL Boombox 2
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- JBL Authentics 300 vs Soundcore Boom 2 Plus
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Soundcore Motion Boom+: $140 after $40 coupon, Discontinued Amazon
Pros: 80W stereo from dual 30W woofers + dual 10W tweeters with titanium drivers for treble clarity. 13,400mAh battery for 20 hours (12-15 at high volume). IP67 waterproof, floats, rugged build inspires confidence. Bluetooth 5.3 multipoint pairing, Soundcore app EQ, PartyCast 2.0 mode. USB-C input, USB-A output for powerbank.
Cons: Default presets are all warm sounding with rolled off treble. Will need a custom EQ to get closer to neutral. A shrill sounding 6khz peak comes out when volume is above about 60%. Not much deeper bass than a Motion Boom and a lot less deep bass than other speakers in the class. Discontinued.
Full Soundcore Motion Boom+ review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Soundcore app) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 17ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 52Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 33ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 15.1" x 5.1" x 7.7" (384 x 130 x 196 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 30W: Dual drivers |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 108dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 80W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs / 2.4 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Soundcore Motion Boom Plus & Earfun UBoom X - sound test
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast or Soundcore Motion Boom Plus or W King D10? 🤪
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast Review vs Soundcore Motion Boom Plus - cheap bass!
- DLX Willington: Tough Game! Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Soundcore Motion Boom Plus Binaural sound samples
- Reddit Search for Soundcore Motion Boom+ Review
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