Short answer: a tie on sound quality. Both are rated 4.1/5 (#5 and #2 of 10 powered desktop speakers) at nearly the same price ($449.95 vs $449.99), so choose on features and fit.
Why pick the JBL Authentics 500: It streams over Wi-Fi as well as Bluetooth, which the Marshall Woburn III cannot. It links with other speakers (Wi-Fi multi-room), which the Marshall Woburn III cannot.
Why pick the Marshall Woburn III: At 16.4 lbs (7.44 kg), Marshall Woburn III combines 6” woofer, 2x 2” midranges, 2x 0.75” Dome tweeters with Bluetooth, HDMI ARC, RCA, Aux. Watch for: Bass is limited by its ~45Hz specification.
Buy the JBL Authentics 500 or the Marshall Woburn III on features: they are rated the same for sound quality at close to the same price.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Authentics 500 | Marshall Woburn III | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.95 each | $449.99 each |
| Ranked | #5 of 10 in Large Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #2 of 28 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | No Battery |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Dimensions | 17.6” x 9.4” x 10.1” (447 x 240 x 255.7 mm) | 15.7” x 12.5” x 8” (400 x 317 x 203 mm) |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes (virtual) | - |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (Bass/Treble) |
| Ethernet | Yes | - |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 35Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Drivers | 6.5” (down-firing subwoofer), 3x 2.75” midranges, 3x 1” (25mm aluminum dome) tweeters | 6” woofer, 2x 2” midranges, 2x 0.75” Dome tweeters |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room) | No |
| Power Input | 100 - 240V AC, ~ 50/60Hz | AC Power cord |
| Configuration | 3.1 channel | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Alexa MRM | - |
| Inputs | USB-C (USB playback, US only) | Bluetooth, HDMI ARC, RCA, Aux |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) | - |
| Weight | 17.2 lbs (7.8 kg) | 16.4 lbs (7.44 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, 2.4GHz/5GHz) | No |
| Amplifier Power | 270W (Max @ THD 1%) | 150W (Woofer: 90W, Midrange: 2x15W, Tweeters: 2x15W) |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | Yes | No |
| HDMI Input | No | Yes |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~45Hz |
| TWS | - | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported |
| Maximum SPL | - | 100.5dB @ 1m |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Marshall Woburn III:
- Audio Pro C5 MkII vs Marshall Woburn III
- Marshall Woburn II vs Marshall Woburn III
- Marshall Woburn I vs Marshall Woburn III
- Apple HomePod 2nd Gen vs Marshall Woburn III
- Marshall Stanmore III vs Marshall Woburn III
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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: $449.95 each Amazon $449.95 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
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Marshall Woburn III: $449.99 each Amazon $449.99 eBay
Older models: the Marshall Woburn II (ranked lower, rated 4/5) and the Marshall Woburn I (ranked lower, rated 4/5). See every Marshall home speakers generation.
Same family: the Marshall Acton III (smaller model, ranked lower, rated 3.7/5) and the Marshall Stanmore III (smaller model, ranked lower, rated 3.8/5).
Pros: At 7.44 kg, Marshall Woburn III combines 6” woofer, 2x 2” midranges, 2x 0.75” Dome tweeters with Bluetooth, HDMI ARC, RCA, Aux. Up to 100.5db @ 1m and stereo playback make its feature set practical for its intended room or portable use. Measured bass extension of ~45Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its ~45Hz specification.
Full Marshall Woburn III review and specifications →
| Released | Jun 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 150W (Woofer: 90W, Midrange: 2x15W, Tweeters: 2x15W) |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~45Hz |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 15.7” x 12.5” x 8” (400 x 317 x 203 mm) |
| Drivers | 6” woofer, 2x 2” midranges, 2x 0.75” Dome tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble) |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, HDMI ARC, RCA, Aux |
| Maximum SPL | 100.5dB @ 1m |
| Optical Input | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| TWS | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 16.4 lbs (7.44 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Marshall Woburn III vs Marshall Woburn II
- Marshall Woburn III vs Audio Pro C5 MkII
- Marshall Woburn III vs Marshall Woburn I
- Marshall Woburn III vs Apple HomePod 2nd Gen
- Marshall Woburn III vs Marshall Stanmore III
- Marshall Woburn III vs Edifier D12
- Marshall Woburn III vs Marshall Stanmore IV
- Marshall Woburn III vs JBL Authentics 200
- See all 17 comparisons