Short answer: the JBL Authentics 300. It ranks #30 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $299.95; the Turtlebox Gen 2 ranks #69 and costs $400, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
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.
What the Turtlebox Gen 2 offers: Waterproof and crushproof, loud with punchy bass. 25 hour battery life (6 hours at full volume; 3 hour charge time). Watch for: Sounds basically identical to the original and the Gen 3: each generation mainly added features, not sound quality.
Buy the JBL Authentics 300. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Turtlebox Gen 2 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Turtlebox Gen 2. It ranks near the bottom of the 73 boombox speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
If battery life is a priority, the Turtlebox Gen 2 is rated for 25 hours versus 8 hours for the JBL Authentics 300.
If water resistance matters to you, the Turtlebox Gen 2 at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the JBL Authentics 300 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Authentics 300 | Turtlebox Gen 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.95 | $400 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #30 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #69 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz | ~65Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | No |
| IP Rating | None | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 100dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi Multi-Room) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cable | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg | 10 lbs / 4.54 kg |
| Wifi | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| MicroSD Playback | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Output Power | 100W | 50W |
| Dimensions | 13.5" x 7.7" x 7.1" (342 x 195.6 x 180.3 mm) | 12" x 7" x 8.7" (305 x 178 x 222 mm) |
| Drivers | 1" tweeter + 4" woofer + passive radiators | 1x 6x9" (152x228mm) woofer + 1x 1" (25mm) tweeter |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.0 |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs JBL Boombox 2
- JBL Boombox 2 vs Teufel Boomster 2021
- Turtlebox Gen 3 vs EcoXGear Defender
- Bumpboxx Flare 6 vs Turtlebox Gen 2
- JBL Authentics 300 vs JBL Boombox 3
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 |
| 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
Turtlebox Gen 2: $400 Discontinued
Pros: Waterproof and crushproof, loud with punchy bass. 25 hour battery life (6 hours at full volume; 3 hour charge time). USB-C charging and USB-C output charges other devices, an upgrade over the original’s AC power brick. Pairs with a second unit for stereo.
Cons: Sounds basically identical to the original and the Gen 3: each generation mainly added features, not sound quality. They pretty much lie about all their specs and sound horrible in all youtube sound samples. Only 50w (from their indigogo page), will never hit 120db at a reasonable measuring distance. Putting your db meter right against the speaker doesn’t count, 1 meter distance is the standard. Barely any bass. Rattles at high volume. Looking at it, it appears to be a generic car 2-way 6x9 speaker in a plastic box. Discontinued.
Full Turtlebox Gen 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~65Hz |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12" x 7" x 8.7" (305 x 178 x 222 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x 6x9" (152x228mm) woofer + 1x 1" (25mm) tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Output Power | 50W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 10 lbs / 4.54 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Outeraudio: Turtlebox vs EcoXgear Defender Sound Comparison
- Risk Profile: TurtleBox Demo Risk Profile Podcast
- Everyday Man: Soundboks Go Vs Turttlebox Vs EcoXGear Defender
- Turtlebox Audio: Turtlebox Gen 2 - Live Sound Demo
- KosherTech: Soundcore Rave VS Turtlebox- (Sound Test Only)🎧
- Reddit Search for Turtlebox Gen 2 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Turtlebox Gen 2 vs Turtlebox Gen 3
- Turtlebox Gen 2 vs Monster Rockin’ Roller 270
- Turtlebox Gen 2 vs ION Pathfinder 320
- Turtlebox Gen 2 vs Bumpboxx Flare 6
- Turtlebox Gen 2 vs Turtlebox Grande
- Turtlebox Gen 2 vs Sony SRS-XG500
- Turtlebox Gen 2 vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 2
- Turtlebox Gen 2 vs Turtlebox Ranger