Short answer: the W-King X20S. It ranks #29 of 89 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $150.99; the JBL Authentics 300 ranks #40, rated 3.5/5, and costs $299.95, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
Why pick the W-King X20S: Clearer and smoother than the larger W-King X20 at about half its size and weight, and in side by side tests it held its own against the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3, with nicer, more exposed mids and more volume. The catch: Less bass and depth than the X20 and about 3dB quieter, and at maximum volume its mids and highs start to drown out the bass.
Why pick the JBL Authentics 300: Integrates both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant simultaneously (rare for smart speakers). The catch: Narrow sounding, bass not as deep as others.
Buy the W-King X20S. It is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL Authentics 300 and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the W-King X20S at IPX7 (brief submersion) against the JBL Authentics 300, which has no water resistance.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| W-King X20S | JBL Authentics 300 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $150.99 | $299.95 |
| Ranked | #29 of 89 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #40 of 89 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Amplifier Power | 140W RMS (180W peak) | 100W |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | None |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | No |
| FM Tuner | Yes | - |
| Weight | 13.8 lbs (6.25 kg) | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| App | - | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | - | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | - | Yes (App EQ) |
| Maximum SPL | - | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Wi-Fi Multi-Room) |
| Power Input | - | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | - | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Wi-Fi | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC |
| Power Bank | - | 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 |
| Digital Aux Input | - | No |
| Voice Assistants | - | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How W-King X20S compares with other leading options:
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs W-King X20S
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs W-King X20S
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs W-King X20S
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs W-King X20S
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs W-King X20S
Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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
W-King X20S: $150.99 AliExpress W-King eBay
Pros: Clearer and smoother than the larger W-King X20 at about half its size and weight, and in side by side tests it held its own against the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3, with nicer, more exposed mids and more volume. 140W RMS (180W peak), IPX7, Bluetooth 5.4, a built-in microphone, TF card, USB and aux playback, FM radio, a carry handle and a shoulder strap.
Cons: Less bass and depth than the X20 and about 3dB quieter, and at maximum volume its mids and highs start to drown out the bass. With a flat EQ the bass is cut off, so it needs the bass boost. The JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2 sounded better in a direct comparison. Sold direct from W-King in the US.
Full W-King X20S review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 140W RMS (180W peak) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| FM Tuner | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 13.8 lbs (6.25 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jagist reviews: W-king X20 Vs W-king X20S!!! More from Jagistreviews →
- Jagist reviews: W-king X20s Vs Harman Kardon Go Plus Play 3!!!
- Mateusz Cholewa: 140W W-KING X20S vs 160W HK Go Plus Play 3 More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Encore Essential 2 Vs W-king X20s!!!
- Jagist reviews: W-king X20s Vs Tribit Stormbox Blast!!!
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Authentics 300: $299.95 Amazon eBay
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. Measured bass extension of 45Hz (-10dB).
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 →
| Amplifier Power | 100W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| 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 |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi Multi-Room) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Authentics 300 - sound quality test More from Oluv’Sone →
- 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 More from alanrossreviews →
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