Short answer: the JBL Authentics 500. It ranks #5 of 10 powered desktop speakers by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $449.95. The Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker ranks #14, rated 3.7/5, at $279, $170.95 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
What the JBL Authentics 500 does well: A large smart speaker with a built in subwoofer, virtual Dolby Atmos, Wi-Fi streaming and both Alexa and Google Assistant. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker. The catch: Bass is specified only to 40Hz at -6dB, so deep-bass reach is limited for a cabinet this size.
What the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker does well: A compact smart speaker with an up firing driver for taller sound, built in Alexa, AirPlay 2, Google Cast and an aux input. Watch for: RTINGS lists sub-par directivity as its main weakness, and reviewers agree a single unit sounds narrow from side to side, so it works best as a stereo pair.
Buy the JBL Authentics 500. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $170.95 with the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 11, 2026 at 3:26 AM 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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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Authentics 500 | Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.95 each | $279.00 each |
| Ranked | #5 of 10 in Large Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #14 of 29 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Bose) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | No Battery |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 17.6” x 9.4” x 10.1” (447 x 240 x 255.7 mm) | 7.2” x 4.8” x 6.6” (184 x 121 x 167 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes (virtual) | - |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (Bass/Mid/Treble + up-firing driver level) |
| Ethernet | Yes | - |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Drivers | 6.5” (down-firing subwoofer), 3x 2.75” midranges, 3x 1” (25mm aluminum dome) tweeters | 3in woofer, 1in tweeter, 1.5in up-firing mid/high driver |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room) | Yes (Bose app multi-room, AirPlay 2, Google Cast) |
| Power Input | 100 - 240V AC, ~ 50/60Hz | AC power cord |
| Configuration | 3.1 channel | - |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Alexa MRM | AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect |
| Inputs | USB-C (USB playback, US only) | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3.5mm aux |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) | Amazon Alexa / Alexa+ |
| Weight | 17.2 lbs (7.8 kg) | 3.7 lbs (1.68 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, 2.4GHz/5GHz) | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | 270W (Max @ THD 1%) | - |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | Yes | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes (far-field, mic mute button) |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| TWS | - | Yes (stereo pairing via Bose app) |
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