Short answer: the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi for better sound quality, the JBL Authentics 300 for the lower price. The JBL Boombox 3 Wifi ranks #20 of 73 boombox speakers at $389.95. The JBL Authentics 300 ranks #30 at $299.95, $90 cheaper.
What the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi offers: Loudest speaker in the category. Watch for: Bass boosted.
What the JBL Authentics 300 gets right: Integrates both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant simultaneously (rare for smart speakers). The catch: Narrow sounding, bass not as deep as others.
Buy the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Authentics 300 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi is rated for 24 hours versus 8 hours for the JBL Authentics 300.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the JBL Authentics 300 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Boombox 3 Wifi | JBL Authentics 300 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $389.95 | $299.95 |
| Ranked | #20 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #30 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | None |
| Max Volume | 111dB | 100dB |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Wi-Fi Multi-Room) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cable | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Yes | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs / 6.6 kg | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg |
| Wifi | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes (App EQ) |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Output Power | 200W AC / 140W battery | 100W |
| Dimensions | 19.1" x 10.1" x 7.9" (484 x 256 x 200 mm) | 13.5" x 7.7" x 7.1" (342 x 195.6 x 180.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters | 1" tweeter + 4" woofer + passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| MicroSD Playback | - | No |
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Boombox 3 Wifi: $389.95 Amazon
Pros: Loudest speaker in the category. Slightly better frequency response than the non-wifi version.
Cons: Bass boosted. Dip at 160hz
Full JBL Boombox 3 Wifi review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19.1" x 10.1" x 7.9" (484 x 256 x 200 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 111dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 200W AC / 140W battery |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs / 6.6 kg |
| Wifi | Yes |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Dominik Reviews: JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Boombox 3 WiFi - Sound Test - Wide vs Narrow Soundstage!
- Mateusz Cholewa: JBL Encore 2 Partybox Deep Bass 🆚 Jbl Boombox 3 WiFi 🎶
- Alan Ross Reviews: Not quite! JBL Authentics 300 review and sound test vs Boombox 3, Encore and Stormbox Blast
- Alan Ross Reviews: WiFi Edition: JBL Boombox 3 ultimate review! vs Boombox 3 Bluetooth edition
- Mateusz Cholewa: Soundcore Rave 3🧐 🆚 Jbl Boombox 3 WiFi
- Reddit Search for JBL Boombox 3 Wifi Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs JBL Boombox 3
- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5
- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 2
- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs JBL Boombox 4
- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs LG Xboom Stage 301
- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs Zealot S95
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- See all 26 comparisons
JBL Authentics 300: $299.95 Amazon
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.
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 →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| 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 |
| Max Volume | 100dB |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 100W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi Multi-Room) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg |
| Wifi | Yes |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Authentics 300 - sound quality test
- 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
- Reddit Search for JBL Authentics 300 Review
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