Short answer: the JBL Authentics 500 if sound quality matters most, the Klipsch The Three Plus if price matters most. The JBL Authentics 500 ranks #5 of 10 powered desktop speakers, rated 4.1/5, at $749.95. The Klipsch The Three Plus ranks #24, rated 3.4/5, at $249.95, $500 cheaper.
What the JBL Authentics 500 does well: It streams over Wi-Fi as well as Bluetooth, which the Klipsch The Three Plus cannot. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Klipsch The Three Plus lacks.
Why pick the Klipsch The Three Plus: Two 2.25in full-range drivers and a 5.25in woofer with two opposing passive radiators, biamplified with 120W, play far louder than the small tabletop cabinet suggests: TechRadar and Trusted Reviews both found it stayed composed and unstressed at very high volume, with controlled, textured bass and a fairly detailed, communicative midrange. The tradeoff: The tuning leans heavily on bass: TechRadar called it on the warm side of neutral with the treble only just holding its own, and HomeTheaterHifi found the treble turned sharp and piercing at higher volumes.
Buy the JBL Authentics 500 if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Klipsch The Three Plus if the price is the priority over sound quality.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Authentics 500 | Klipsch The Three Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $749.95 each | $249.95 each |
| Ranked | #5 of 10 in Large Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #24 of 28 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Klipsch Connect) |
| Aux Input | Yes | No (RCA line input) |
| 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”H x 14”W x 8.4”D (178 x 356 x 213 mm) |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes (virtual) | - |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Ethernet | Yes | - |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 45Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | - |
| Drivers | 6.5” (down-firing subwoofer), 3x 2.75” midranges, 3x 1” (25mm aluminum dome) tweeters | 2x 2.25” full-range drivers, 5.25” long-throw woofer, 2x 5.25” passive radiators |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room) | - |
| Power Input | 100 - 240V AC, ~ 50/60Hz | - |
| Configuration | 3.1 channel | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Alexa MRM | - |
| Inputs | USB-C (USB playback, US only) | Bluetooth, Optical, Phono/RCA, USB-C |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) | None |
| Weight | 17.2 lbs (7.8 kg) | 10.6 lbs (4.8 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, 2.4GHz/5GHz) | No |
| Amplifier Power | 270W (Max @ THD 1%) | 120W total |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes (24-bit/96kHz) |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | - | 106dB |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL Authentics 500:
- Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Pro vs JBL Authentics 500
- Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin vs JBL Authentics 500
- Sonos Five vs JBL Authentics 500
- JBL Authentics 500 vs Sonos Era 300
- B&O Beosound 2 vs JBL Authentics 500
Prices on this page were last checked October 14, 2026 at 2:38 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 500: $749.95 each Amazon $749.95 eBay
Same family: the JBL Authentics 200 (smaller model, rated 3.7/5) and the JBL Authentics 300 (smaller model, rated 3.5/5).
Pros: JBL Authentics 500 uses 6.5” (down-firing subwoofer), 3x 2.75” midranges, 3x 1” (25mm aluminum dome) tweeters. Its 7.8 kg, aux input and stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use.
Cons: Its 40Hz to 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) specification points to limited deep-bass reach for the cabinet size.
Full JBL Authentics 500 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 270W (Max @ THD 1%) |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | 3.1 channel |
| Dimensions | 17.6” x 9.4” x 10.1” (447 x 240 x 255.7 mm) |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes (virtual) |
| Drivers | 6.5” (down-firing subwoofer), 3x 2.75” midranges, 3x 1” (25mm aluminum dome) tweeters |
| EQ | Yes |
| Ethernet | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | USB-C (USB playback, US only) |
| Optical Input | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room) |
| Power Input | 100 - 240V AC, ~ 50/60Hz |
| RCA Input | No |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Alexa MRM |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
| Weight | 17.2 lbs (7.8 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, 2.4GHz/5GHz) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Authentics 500 vs Sonos Era 300
- JBL Authentics 500 vs Sonos Five
- JBL Authentics 500 vs B&O Beosound 2
- JBL Authentics 500 vs Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin
- JBL Authentics 500 vs Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Pro
- JBL Authentics 500 vs Denon Home 350
- JBL Authentics 500 vs JBL Boombox 3
- JBL Authentics 500 vs JBL Authentics 300
- See all 35 comparisons
Klipsch The Three Plus: $249.95 each Amazon $249.95 eBay
Older models: the Klipsch The Three II (ranked higher, rated 3.4/5) and the Klipsch The Three (ranked lower, rated 2.6/5). See every Klipsch The One and The Three generation.
Same family: the Klipsch The One Plus (smaller model, estimated 3.4/5).
Pros: Two 2.25in full-range drivers and a 5.25in woofer with two opposing passive radiators, biamplified with 120W, play far louder than the small tabletop cabinet suggests: TechRadar and Trusted Reviews both found it stayed composed and unstressed at very high volume, with controlled, textured bass and a fairly detailed, communicative midrange. Inputs cover Bluetooth 5.3, a switchable phono/line RCA input for a turntable, 24-bit/96kHz optical and USB-C playback, and the Klipsch Connect app adds a three-band EQ with presets and a night mode.
Cons: The tuning leans heavily on bass: TechRadar called it on the warm side of neutral with the treble only just holding its own, and HomeTheaterHifi found the treble turned sharp and piercing at higher volumes. Both TechRadar and Trusted Reviews found the built-in phono stage flat and less dynamic than the other inputs, so vinyl sounds its weakest here. Stereo separation is limited by the single cabinet, there is no 3.5mm aux or subwoofer output, and HomeTheaterHifi found the app and volume wheel laggy. ASR’s measurements of the original Klipsch The Three, which used the same driver layout, showed an uneven response, so treat its tonal balance with some caution.
Full Klipsch The Three Plus review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 120W total |
| App | Yes (Klipsch Connect) |
| Aux Input | No (RCA line input) |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7”H x 14”W x 8.4”D (178 x 356 x 213 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.25” full-range drivers, 5.25” long-throw woofer, 2x 5.25” passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Optical, Phono/RCA, USB-C |
| Maximum SPL | 106dB |
| Optical Input | Yes (24-bit/96kHz) |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | None |
| Weight | 10.6 lbs (4.8 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Klipsch The Three Plus vs Harman Kardon Aura Studio 5
- Klipsch The Three Plus vs Sonos Era 100
- Klipsch The Three Plus vs Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker
- Klipsch The Three Plus vs Marshall Acton III
- Klipsch The Three Plus vs JBL Authentics 200
- Klipsch The Three Plus vs Marshall Stanmore III
- Klipsch The Three Plus vs JBL Authentics 300