With the Authentics 300 multiroom speaker ($449.99), JBL combines old-school design elements with modern connectivity features, such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The speaker also gets intensely loud and produces rich, full-bodied lows that bass lovers should enjoy. We’re fans of the hands-free Alexa and Google Assistant integrations and the smart speaker-centric companion app too, though the onboard controls don’t feel premium or work as reliably as we expected. For the same price, the Editors’ Choice-winning Sonos Era 300 ($449.99) comes out slightly ahead in pure performance because of its Dolby Atmos support and similarly impressive sound, but this JBL model is still worth considering for its undeniable style and battery-powered portability.
An Elegant Design With Middling Controls
Measuring 7.7 by 13.5 by 7.1 inches (HWD), the 10.8-pound Authentics 300 speaker has a decidedly vintage look, starting with its grid-patterned foam grille, an homage to the beloved JBL speakers from the 1970s. The handle, along with the side and top panels, features a black, faux-leather grain lining, while the frame has gold-tinted metallic accents. This color and material combo is somewhat reminiscent of recent Marshall speakers like the Stanmore III. The handle, which also has classy stitched edges, swivels backward out of view when not in use.
(Credit: Tim Gideon)Behind the front grille, dual 25mm tweeters and a 5.25-inch woofer deliver a frequency range of 45Hz to 20kHz, combining for 100 watts. A downward-firing 6.5-inch passive radiator adds some rumble and depth to the audio.
In terms of connectivity, the speaker is fully modern and offers dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.3, though with support for just the SBC codec. Streaming audio over Wi-Fi is the main use case here, so the lackluster codec option isn't too big a deal. AirPlay, Alexa Multi-Room Music (MRM), Chromecast, and Spotify Connect are all also available, though Google Fast Pair is not.
The Authentics 300 speaker does not support Dolby Atmos. For comparison, both the $299 Apple HomePod (2nd Generation) and Sonos Era 300 speakers offer multi-channel Dolby Atmos playback. The merit of this spatial audio technology is questionable for a single speaker, of course, but if you are planning on a multi-speaker setup, several Apple or Sonos units can produce more immersive audio than several Authentics 300 units.
Rubber feet on the base of the JBL speaker keep it steady on flat surfaces, which is important because the downward-firing radiator vibrates intensely. If you set the speaker on a cushioned surface with some give, like a sofa, the radiator vibrates enough to create a buzzing sound akin to distortion, so flat surfaces are the way to go. Of course, this is really just an issue if you are playing intense bass at high volumes.
The top panel houses power, Bluetooth pairing, and Heart buttons (discussed below); a master volume dial that doubles as the playback button (press it twice to skip forward a track or three times to go back a track); and treble and bass dials. Although these controls cover everything, the knobs look a little plasticky and out of step with all the speaker's premium design touches. Beyond that, rather than displaying a simple meter or LED readout, a circular LED traces the circumference of each knob and lights up as you adjust it. The nonadjustable fade-out setting for the lighting is gradual, so it's difficult to see their exact level. Audio adjustments also seemed to have a noticeable delay in testing.
(Credit: Tim Gideon)On the back, the speaker has a master mic switch for toggling the voice features, as well as a recess for the Ethernet connector, 3.5mm aux input, and USB-C port (for MP3 and WAV file playback). The package does not include accompanying cables for any of the ports. The Ethernet connector is rare for a speaker like this and allows you to tap into the best performance of internet-based audio services. Otherwise, the back offers a connector for the included power cable.
Unlike many other Wi-Fi smart speakers, the JBL includes a battery and is portable to a degree. JBL estimates that the Authentic 300 speaker can last roughly 8 hours per charge, but your results will vary depending on your typical listening volume. It takes roughly 3.5 hours to fully charge the speaker from empty.
As is typical of most portable speakers in its size class, this model does not include a speakerphone function. If you need that feature, consider the Sony SRS-XG300 ($349.99) instead. Notably, the Sony also has a rugged IP67 rating, whereas this JBL has none. Given its focus on Wi-Fi audio, JBL clearly doesn't expect the speaker to travel farther than your backyard.
JBL Authentics 300 App Experience
The JBL One app (available for Android and iOS) displays an image of the speaker at the top of the screen along with a readout of the remaining battery life. Below that, a music section offers volume and playback controls for the current track. You can also add tiles for supported music streaming services (Amazon Music, Calm radio, Napster, Qobuz, Tidal, TuneIn, and iHeartRadio).
An EQ section with three simple adjustable bands for bass, mids, and treble follows. This implementation is somewhat basic compared with that of the JBL headphones app (10 adjustable bands), but it's better than nothing and generally works effectively.
(Credit: JBL)Further below, the app offers tiles for creating Moments (single-button shortcuts for accessing a specific playlist on a supported streaming service). After you set up this integration, pressing the Heart button on the speaker's control panel plays that playlist.
Otherwise, you can access product settings and information, setup instructions for Wi-Fi streaming, and voice-control preferences. The speaker notably supports simultaneous hands-free Alexa and Google Assistant. Setting up Alexa was a breeze, and voice commands worked seamlessly in testing.
Resounding Low-End Power
On tracks with intense sub-bass content, like The Knife’s "Silent Shout," the Authentics 300 speaker delivers a powerful bass response. At top volumes, the rumble is both audible and palpable—there’s a lot of low-end depth for a speaker this size.
(Credit: Tim Gideon)The drivers reproduce most of the sub-bass at the 34-second mark of Kendrick Lamar’s “Loyalty.” However, the very deepest note in this progression falls just outside of the speaker’s range. That’s not a major surprise since most comparable speakers I test struggle with subwoofer notes. Nonetheless, the drivers still elevate the bass response. The vocals come across with crisp clarity.
Bill Callahan’s “Drover,” a track with far less deep bass, better reveals the sound signature. The drums on this track receive some serious bass heft. They sound thunderous at default levels, and you can truly send the mix into absurd realms with additional sculpting. Callahan’s baritone vocals get plenty of low-mid richness and crisp high-mid detail, while the acoustic strums are bright and full. This is a boldly bass-forward signature with a bright edge that sounds particularly exciting for pop and electronic mixes. You can get close to an accurate response with some EQ adjustments, but that's not the purpose of this speaker.
(Credit: Tim Gideon)On orchestral tracks, like the opening scene from John Adams’ The Gospel According to the Other Mary, the drivers deliver a pleasant blend of low-frequency boosting and bright, crisp highs. The lower-register instrumentation occasionally overextends, but never to a fault. The focus remains on the higher-register brass, strings, and vocals.
Standout Bass and Style
The JBL Authentics 300 speaker produces powerful bass from its cool, retro enclosure and offers all the connectivity features you could want, including Bluetooth, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi, as well as hands-free Alexa and Google Assistant. The control panel could use additional refinements, but that drawback shouldn't prevent bass fans and anyone else who enjoys the classic JBL aesthetic from considering it. And, the battery means you can easily move it around your house and even take it out into your yard as long as you stay in Wi-Fi range. For the same price, however, the Sonos Era 300 keeps our Editors' Choice award thanks to its Dolby Atmos support and equally engaging audio, despite not being portable.
