Different classes, so treat this as a step-up-or-not question rather than a head-to-head. The JBL Authentics 500 ranks #5 of 10 powered desktop speakers by sound quality at $449.95; the Sonos Play ranks #56 of 178 medium speakers by sound quality at $299.
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 links with other speakers (Wi-Fi multi-room), which the Sonos Play cannot. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Sonos Play lacks. The catch: Bass is specified only to 40Hz at -6dB, so deep-bass reach is limited for a cabinet this size.
The Sonos Play is the battery-powered, tougher choice. A Wi-Fi and Bluetooth portable with wide stereo sound, a long lasting swappable battery, waterproofing and full Sonos multiroom support. Its battery is rated for 24 hours, while the JBL Authentics 500 needs an outlet. It is rated IP67, while the JBL Authentics 500 has no water resistance. Watch for: Bass distorts noticeably on bass-heavy tracks at default settings, and the distortion persists even after enabling Trueplay tuning and manually pulling bass back in the app.
Buy the JBL Authentics 500 at $449.95 for a powered desktop speaker, or the Sonos Play at $299 for a medium speaker instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings and Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A large smart speaker with a built in subwoofer, virtual Dolby Atmos, Wi-Fi streaming and both Alexa and Google Assistant.
A Wi-Fi and Bluetooth portable with wide stereo sound, a long lasting swappable battery, waterproofing and full Sonos multiroom support.
Prices on this page were last checked November 5, 2026 at 10:30 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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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Authentics 500 | Sonos Play | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.95 each | $299.00 |
| Ranked | #5 of 10 in Large Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #56 of 178 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 17.6” x 9.4” x 10.1” (447 x 240 x 255.7 mm) | 7.6” x 4.4” x 3” (192.3 x 112.5 x 76.7 mm) |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes (virtual) | - |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| Ethernet | Yes | - |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| IP Rating | None | IP67 |
| Drivers | 6.5” (down-firing subwoofer), 3x 2.75” midranges, 3x 1” (25mm aluminum dome) tweeters | mid-woofer, 2x angled tweeters |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room) | No |
| Power Input | 100 - 240V AC, ~ 50/60Hz | USB-C |
| 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) | - |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) | Amazon Alexa (Sonos Voice Control also built in) |
| Weight | 17.2 lbs (7.8 kg) | 2.9 lbs (1.3 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 | - |
| RCA Input | No | - |
| TRS Input | No | - |
| Optical Input | No | - |
| Coaxial Input | No | - |
| USB Input | Yes | - |
| HDMI Input | No | - |
| AES Input | No | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Omnidirectional | - | No |
| TWS | - | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | - | No |
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