Short answer: the Sonos Five. It ranks #3 of 7 powered desktop speakers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $594.99; the JBL Authentics 500 ranks #4, rated 4.1/5, and costs $600, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
What the Sonos Five does well: Independently measured by Audio Science Review, it has deep bass for a wireless speaker, reaching 38.5Hz at -3dB and about 25.5Hz at -10dB, with a 3.92 preference score and 5.56 with an ideal subwoofer. The tradeoff: A 4.8dB reference band means the midrange and treble are less even than the best speakers, so tonal balance benefits from EQ.
Why pick the JBL Authentics 500: JBL Authentics 500 uses 6.5” (down-firing subwoofer), 3x 2.75” midranges, 3x 1” (25mm aluminum dome) tweeters. The catch: Its 40Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) specification points to limited deep-bass reach for the cabinet size.
Buy the Sonos Five. It is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL Authentics 500 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sonos Five | JBL Authentics 500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $594.99 each | $600 each |
| Ranked | #3 of 7 in Large Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #4 of 7 in Large Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| Drivers | 3x mid-woofers, 3x tweeters (2 angled), 6 Class-D amplifiers | 6.5” (down-firing subwoofer), 3x 2.75” midranges, 3x 1” (25mm aluminum dome) tweeters |
| Stereo | Yes (horizontal orientation) | Yes |
| Dimensions | 8”H x 14.3”W x 6.1”D (203 x 364 x 154 mm) | 17.6” x 9.4” x 10.1” (447 x 240 x 255.7 mm) |
| Weight | 14 lbs (6.36 kg) | 17.2 lbs (7.8 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, 2.4GHz/5GHz) |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes, 5.3 |
| App | Yes (Sonos S2) | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble + Trueplay room correction) | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Sonos multi-room, AirPlay 2) | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room) |
| TWS | Yes (stereo pairing via Sonos app) | - |
| Power Input | Built-in AC | 100 - 240V AC, ~ 50/60Hz |
| Battery Life | No Battery | No Battery |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, 3.5mm line-in | USB-C (USB playback, US only) |
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm line-in) | Yes |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Streaming Services | Sonos app streaming (Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and more), AirPlay 2 | AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Alexa MRM |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 38.5Hz (measured, Audio Science Review data on spinorama.org) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 25.5Hz (measured, Audio Science Review data on spinorama.org) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.92 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.56 | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 |
| Dolby Atmos | - | Yes (virtual) |
| Ethernet | - | Yes |
| Frequency Response | - | 40Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Configuration | - | 3.1 channel |
| Voice Assistants | - | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 270W (Max @ THD 1%) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Sonos Five:
- B&W Zeppelin Pro vs Sonos Five
- Sonos Five vs Sonos Era 300
- B&W Zeppelin Pro vs JBL Authentics 500
- Denon Home 250 vs JBL Authentics 500
- Brane X vs JBL Authentics 500
Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 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
Sonos Five: $594.99 each Amazon eBay
Pros: Independently measured by Audio Science Review, it has deep bass for a wireless speaker, reaching 38.5Hz at -3dB and about 25.5Hz at -10dB, with a 3.92 preference score and 5.56 with an ideal subwoofer. A 2.22 directivity-index deviation means the sound stays consistent around the room. Three woofers and three tweeters on six amplifiers play in stereo when placed horizontally, and Trueplay tuning, AirPlay 2 and a 3.5mm line-in add flexibility. Measured bass extension of 38.5Hz (-3dB).
Cons: A 4.8dB reference band means the midrange and treble are less even than the best speakers, so tonal balance benefits from EQ. It has no Bluetooth and no microphone for voice assistants, and at 6.36kg it is a large box for a desk.
Full Sonos Five review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Sonos S2) |
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm line-in) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 25.5Hz (measured, Audio Science Review data on spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 38.5Hz (measured, Audio Science Review data on spinorama.org) |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8”H x 14.3”W x 6.1”D (203 x 364 x 154 mm) |
| Drivers | 3x mid-woofers, 3x tweeters (2 angled), 6 Class-D amplifiers |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble + Trueplay room correction) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, 3.5mm line-in |
| Optical Input | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Sonos multi-room, AirPlay 2) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Built-in AC |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.92 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.56 |
| Stereo | Yes (horizontal orientation) |
| Streaming Services | Sonos app streaming (Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and more), AirPlay 2 |
| TRS Input | No |
| TWS | Yes (stereo pairing via Sonos app) |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 14 lbs (6.36 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Authentics 500: $600 each Amazon eBay
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 - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) specification points to limited deep-bass reach for the cabinet size.
Full JBL Authentics 500 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 270W (Max @ THD 1%) |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.3 |
| 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 B&W Zeppelin
- JBL Authentics 500 vs B&O Beosound 2
- JBL Authentics 500 vs B&W Zeppelin Pro
- JBL Authentics 500 vs Denon Home 350
- JBL Authentics 500 vs JBL Boombox 3
- JBL Authentics 500 vs JBL Authentics 300
- JBL Authentics 500 vs JBL Authentics 200
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