Short answer: the JBL Authentics 300. It ranks #40 of 89 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 3.5/5, at $299.95; the Turtlebox Gen 2 ranks #84, rated 2.1/5, and costs $400, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
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.
Why pick the Turtlebox Gen 2: Waterproof (IP67) and crushproof, and loud: Outeraudio measured about 104 dB at one meter. The catch: Sounds basically identical to the original and the Gen 3: each generation mainly added features, not sound quality.
Worth knowing: the Turtlebox Gen 2 has been discontinued and is hard to find new at this point.
Buy the JBL Authentics 300. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Turtlebox Gen 2 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
If battery life is a priority, the Turtlebox Gen 2 is rated for 25 hours versus 8 hours for the JBL Authentics 300.
Water resistance is not close: the Turtlebox Gen 2 is rated at IP67 (brief submersion), well ahead of the JBL Authentics 300 at no water resistance.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Authentics 300 | Turtlebox Gen 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.95 | $400 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #40 of 89 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #84 of 89 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 |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 104dB (measured by Outeraudio) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi Multi-Room) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cable | DC Barrel Connector (15V/3A) |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) | 10 lbs (4.54 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | 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 |
| Amplifier 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 | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) | - |
| Strap | No | No |
| Battery Capacity | - | 85Wh |
| Charging Time | - | 3 hours |
| Microphone Input | - | Yes (3.5mm) |
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 Encore Essential 2 vs JBL Authentics 300
- JBL Partybox Encore vs JBL Authentics 300
Prices on this page were last checked September 29, 2026 at 3:43 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 | 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 →
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Turtlebox Gen 2: $400 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Turtlebox Gen 3, ranked higher, rated 2.1/5.
Pros: Waterproof (IP67) and crushproof, and loud: Outeraudio measured about 104 dB at one meter. An 85Wh battery rated for 25 hours at low volume and about 6 at full volume, a USB-C output that charges other devices, aux and 3.5mm microphone inputs, and stereo pairing with a second Gen 2. Measured bass extension of ~65Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Sounds basically identical to the original and the Gen 3: each generation mainly added features, not sound quality. The nearly identical Gen 3 measured a V shaped tuning, with boosted lows and highs and dipped mids, yet bass only down 10dB at about 65Hz, and only about 12W RMS from its amp; Turtlebox rated this one at just 50W. Outeraudio found its balance and treble middling, with slight harshness at higher volumes, and it rattles at high volume. Nowhere near its claimed 120dB at a standard one meter distance. It charges only from its own barrel plug adapter, not USB-C, and has no app, EQ or party mode. Inside is essentially a car audio 6x9 two way speaker in a plastic box. Discontinued.
Full Turtlebox Gen 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 50W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~65Hz |
| Battery Capacity | 85Wh |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12” x 7” x 8.7” (305 x 178 x 222 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 6x9” (152x228mm) woofer + 1x 1” (25mm) tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 104dB (measured by Outeraudio) |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (15V/3A) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 10 lbs (4.54 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Outeraudio: Turtlebox Gen 2 Review
- 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)🎧 More from KosherTech →
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