Customer Ratings & Reviews

JBL’s Authentics line is the “by audiophiles for audiophiles“ part of JBLs consumer product catalog, and that focus comes through in spades wtih this weighty, room-filling speaker. The sound is leagues beyond even JBL‘s well-known “Xtreme” portable speaker range. Add in the apps shared across the Authentics line, support for both Alexa and Google Assistant (at the same time, if you want!), extensive connectivity options, and a strong 8 hour battery life (amazing considering the sound this thing puts out) and you have probably the single best portable speaker yet released by anyone. It is that good. The JBL One app is a must-have. It is your source for the best quality streaming music across most of the top major services (Apple Music being a notable exception— but that ends up being OK for reasons below). Because the services are built into the app that connects to the speaker over WiFi , the sound quality of each of them (provided you subscribe to the top tiers and set your streaming options accordingly) is absolutely top notch. Connectivity abounds: Airplay 2, TIDAL connect, Alexa Multi-Room Music, Spotify Connect, Chromecast — the gang’s all here, and they sound fabulous in this speaker. Bluetooth exists, and you can use it if you must — but you can do better, and you should. I’d share wifi from my phone before settling for Bluetooth audio on a device with this many better options. Build quality is superb. The handle feels great to use, materials are excellent, the bass can shake your walls, and feel of the entire device is reassuringly solid. Big knobs (thank you, JBL!) handle volume, treble, and bass. My advice: buy it. If you can get it on sale, even better — but I didn’t blink twice when paying full price, and I had zero buyer’s remorse. This is a great purchase.

I purchased this Bluetooth speaker around 8 months ago, and I couldn’t be happier with my decision. The sound quality is outstanding for such a compact device—clear highs, rich mids, and surprisingly deep bass. It easily fills a room and holds its own even outdoors. Pairing is quick and effortless, and the connection stays strong with no dropouts. I absolutely love the retro design, honestly main reason I got it. I appreciate that its durable build and it feels solid and looks great on any shelf or desk. Battery life is another win. I’ve gotten well over 10 hours of continuous playback on a single charge, which makes it perfect for day trips, picnics, or just lounging around the house. However, I mostly use it indoors, currently it is my main speaker for my turntable and Jazz just sounds exquisite on it. Overall, this speaker offers excellent value for the price for what it is. I highly recommend it.

I also bought the 500. That daddy HITS! This one is the in-between since they make a smaller 200. Make no mistake, this one is just as clear with some bass but won't fill as much space. I got this one for my room and bathroom since it's portable. THAT is what makes this one since. That fact that it has an internal battery and you can carry with around makes it a win. The handle is comfortable and rigid enough that you can hang it on a hook or latch. My new go to travel speaker!

powerful sound, deep bass, and convenient connectivity, making it perfect for relaxing music sessions and everyday entertainment. A speaker that truly deserves its price tag ✨ I’ve been very satisfied with my choice — it’s great for both daily use and entertainment. Definitely worth buying, and you should give it a try.

[Employee of bestbuy] Tbh i didn’t know what ti expect. Down to the design, the textures and color, and the nearly perfect sound. This thing is everything you need for personal and room filling audio reproduction! I love the “on the fly” customization with the treble and bass knobs. I really like the aesthetics and materials used. It really is a show stopper, and when plugged in, it is a real powerhouse for filling a room with waves.

The sound quality is excellent. The connectivity is simple and reliable. The is the second unit I purchased. It was simple to set up the two units for true STEREO playback. You can also use both for MONO playback. The bass response is excellent per the size. Separate treble and bass controls for added sound adjustment. Purchase when on sale for an extra added value.

For a more stylish speaker this smart speaker really does sound great. Tons of features and is super easy to tote around. Surprisingly good bass response for this size. The price is high though and I would wait for a sale or discount.

In my experience volume, sound quality, bass, midrange, treble in an open space were non existent in a small packaged Bluetooth speaker until I heard THE JBL Authentics series. Worth every penny, mind blown, spectacular. Undeniably the best of the best.

Great sound quality, very stylish. Very glad I purchased this!

Honestly I do think it’s excellent overall had great audio and love the fact that you can pair it with another one of the same you and your friends if you each have one you can sync them and it’s amazing and plus they are very durable use it as my work speaker pretty much

Speaker is amazing quality! I’ve had it for a year now and it’s definitely worth the purchase, great for parties, small outdoor events, or just staying at home!

Amazing amazing amazing in the beginning. I thought over pricing, but it’s worth every dollar it’s quality portable easy set up and good taste

Love JBL products. This speaker is perfect for my living room.

The JBL Authentics 300 is a high-end portable home smart speaker that has a retro style and modern features that allow one to fill the areas it is used in with incredible stereo sound for the highest of the highs to some impressive lows. In summary, if you have a need for a high-end and portable home smart speaker, this may be the device for you! Features Let’s kick this review off with a review of this device’s features. Since this is a home speaker let’s start off with the details on the speakers that provide this device with the awesome sound it produces. It starts with the main speakers – a pair of 25mm tweeters for the details, a 5.25-inch woofer and down-firing 6.5-inch passive radiator to deliver deep-bass. I can certainly attest to the bass as one of my test tracks is The Imperial march from Star Wars (you know Darth Vader’s entrance music) and I had the device on my lap and the passive radiator was pulsing on my legs throughout the song. This speaker can be connected in several ways including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Aux / 3.5 mm audio cable, and in the US via USB-C device for MP3 playback. Since this is a portable home speaker it can be plugged into AC power and contains a 4800 Mah Lithium battery that runs at 3.6 Volts and allows for up to 8 hours of playing time. The battery recharges in 3.5 hours. The devices dimensions are bit on the large side for a portable speaker with dimensions (W x H x D) of 15.9" x 10.7" x 10.7" (342 x 195.6 x 180.3 mm) and coming in at a hefty 10.8 lbs. (4.9 kg). The audio features are numerous and impressive. First up it that music services are available via built-in Wi-Fi and allows one to experience your audio in “stunning high definition”. The device supports AirPlay, Alexa Multi-Room Music (MRM), Chromecast built-in™, and Spotify Connect. The device also provides for both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa simultaneously, allowing greater versatility in controlling multiple smart home devices. The device contains intuitive physical controls and allows for even more control and personalization via the JBL One app. Impressions I will repeat my opening statement – this device has incredible audio output and a wonderful range, even at respectable volumes. I listened to numerous common test tracks and the device came through each of them with no issues present to my ears. Some of the test tracks include Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”, Ana Taylor Joy’s “Downtown (Downtempo)”, Steely Dan’s “Aja”, and 1812 Overture with real cannons, “The Imperial March” from Star Wars, and Saint-Saens “Organ Symphony”, to name a few of the tracks I used. Pros: Awesome Sound, Connection Options, Portability Cons: Weight and Size

JBL Speaker Don’t underestimate this speaker based on its size, it has the potential to blow you away. In all honesty, because of the size of the JBL Authentic 300, I was not sure what to expect. I have several other speakers, including a very large JBL that is somewhat “portable,” and the sound from this competes with that one. My ears are loving listening to my music with this speaker. It allows me to hear sounds I had not heard before in songs I listen to often. The highs and lows play beautifully, and the bass vibrates to your soul. This is not surprising considering it is comprised of two 25mm tweeters and a 5.25in full-range woofer. Notwithstanding the sound, the speaker itself is aesthetically pleasing with a chic, elegant, and retro glamour. The quality is palpable, it is very well made and ergonomic to carry. It is incredibly simple to lug it around to your desired location weighing in at just under 11lbs. Because of its compact size, it fits anywhere from the car’s trunk to a nook in the garage to a tabletop at a gathering or party. Set up was quick and simple. I connected it to the charger, downloaded and connected it to the app, and got to playing music all in about five minutes. After charging it, the battery lasts eight hours, which is more than enough for me. My husband and I have been using it around the house at various times while doing housework and we have only had to charge it once so far in weeks. Another plus is that it can be paired with other speakers via multi-room playback. I thoroughly enjoy this as I often have to run around the house getting various things done and this keeps me in the groove wherever I go. I really have found no negatives with this speaker. My only advice is to be careful when putting the volume up using your phone’s side buttons because it can lag by a second or two and it goes up dramatically with each button press. It is best to use the touch slider volume control than the side button for this reason. If you are an audiophile looking for an elegant portable speaker with top-notch sound, your search can end here. I just cannot recommend this speaker enough.

I have a few portable speakers...I just really like having them around the house and being able to take them anywhere with me as needed. I really like to use them for ambient music at get-togethers, working in the garage and when I'm making breakfast on a Saturday morning ect. I really like how they can set the mood without dominating the conversations. I find portable speakers really hit that niche for me. I want premium sound but not like my 5.1 surround sound system or the isolation from everyone of having to wear earphones. I have noticed (or at least it seems to me) that in the last couple of years or so the portable speaker market has really begun to evolve. I mean there are some high-end makers developing some pretty amazing soundscapes in a single portable box that were not doing that a few years ago. They went from clunky DJ "party boxes" with led lighting to very elegant and classy home accessories. JBL is one of them and really takes a big leap in the marketplace with the 300 Authentics Smart Speaker. Just top notch! I have 5 different brand speakers already and love them all but when I heard the JBL 300 Authentics, I had a visceral reaction to the sound that was emanating from this beautiful unit. I could not believe the range of amazing bass, incredible mids and crystal clear treble. I mean it just filled the room. I could feel it. I was in awe. I heard vocal layers that I had not heard before in songs. It's weird but if you give yourself some space from it...5 to 10 feet away from it, that is the sweet spot where the music really all comes together. I guess maybe the waves hit the ears just perfectly at that distance. You can actually feel the bass in your chest when you crank it up! Holy cow, the sound is stunning. I also really appreciate the aesthetics of it. The leather is rich and classy and the stitching on the leather handle and the gold accents really present something you can be proud to leave on a shelf. Unlike the old-style "party boxes" with the dumb DJ lights that go back into the box and in a closet as soon as you are done using it. It's a home-style accessory which I love. If it stays out and is accessible...I use it more! I also really love the fact that it has a battery in it. Portability with ease! you can also plug it in and use it as well. When I first got it out of the box, I just pushed the Bluetooth button and immediately paired it with my phone so I did not explore the "smart features" yet. It worked great and paired fast. I like the notification sounds it produces when you turn it on and when it pairs. Fun. Played some Mallrat & Chainsmokers Wish on Eyelash, Queen, Zeplin, Taylor Swift, NWA, Ice Cube....just amazing!!!!! It has some padded legs it sits on and exposes a downward subwoofer that really puts it out now! With 8 hours of battery....That should cover just about any party. I played with it for about 3 hours and it was still more than halfway full of power. After my initial unboxing and running through the music, I downloaded the JBL one app. The QuickStart guide has a QR code that took me right to it and it downloaded quickly. After pairing with the unit it went through an update that said it would take 10 minutes but really took less than 2 and I was in business. The app is clean and really about setting up your Google assistant or Alexa. I am a google guy so I selected that and the app walked me to Google home and set up could not have been easier. It is really cool because with the Google Assistant...It's just like all my other google assistants around my house. "Hey Google, what’s the weather like tomorrow?" and she answers like normal but the tone of her voice is much fuller and the best I have ever heard it!!! Having it as a bonus Google assistant is really cool. I did notice though that within the JBL app Spotify is not a native selectable streaming service. So in essence, you can run the speaker through your phone just like a normal Bluetooth (which is what I will mostly do) or you can run it as a Google assistance and ask Google (which is onboard the speaker) to stream Spotify ect and use it as a Normal Google assistant or you can run the JBL app with one of the native streamers it offers. Lots of choices. The app will let you adjust bass and treble ect.. but that’s about it. It really seems to be the vehicle to allow you to set up the assistants, get updates and use one of their streaming apps. You cannot go wrong with the JBL Authentics 300! If is bar far the best portable speaker I have ever listened to. I love the looks but the real show is the amazing sound quality you can hear and feel! Just tremendous!

JBL Authentics 300 Speaker This is a brand new line inspired by the original JBL speakers (L100) from the 70’s down to a familiar grill from that era. In addition, the speakers are made from recycled plastic, fabric, and aluminum. This line of speakers is also including the ability to use Alexa along with Google Assistant at the same time on the same speaker! The presentation on opening the speaker is impressive and makes you realize this is a serious high end product. On powering up the speaker and playing my fist song, I was blown away! Sound was loud, clear, and with impressive base! PROS: Great sound with impressive DEEP base, crisp highs, and it can play loud without distortion! The sound straight out of the box is impressive. You can tweak it with Bass and Treble controls right on the speaker or use the App. This is probably one of the few speakers that I didn’t have to turn up the bass right out of the box. In addition, this speaker will make your music sound like you’re in a club or studio creating thumping low frequency base you can feel! This will be a great party/dance speaker. The Bass is enhanced with a large rubber transducer on the bottom of the device. That thing has a long displacement and really makes the sound rock! Great Retro appearance that looks impressive while being understated. The built in battery running for up to 8 hours and the built in solid feeling handle make you want to take it with you. It’s not water proof so don’t take it out in the rain. I like the feel of the knobs and controls. They have a solid feel with a smoothness of quality. The LED circular lights around the Bass and Treble controls show your relative level which is a nice touch. This has a built in 8 hour battery which allows you take this outdoors to the patio or to the beach. I found the volume increases slightly when the unit is plugged in rather than on battery. Battery level is shown as a LED line of light that shows when you change volume. There is also a battery percentage shown on the App. Charging is done with a plug in cord using no brick or transformer in the cord. There is also a USB-C jack that does work for charging , Ethernet jack, and an audio in jack as well as a switch to mute the microphone from Alexa and Google. CONS: The JBL One app is just OK. It’s not necessary to use the app for Bluetooth or AirPlay, but is used to install updates and set up WiFi. I have used another app from a leading speaker company that allows you to power on and pick your Spotify, Pandora channels from within the app and play through the WiFi which I find convenient. That addition on the JBL One app would be nice. I also found changing your WIFi settings within this app is cumbersome and slow, sometimes requiring a reset. The JBL One App allows some tailoring of the sound with one memory setting besides the default flat setting. I find the controls on the top of the speaker just as easy. You can set up one favorite channel, called “Moment” in the App; however that favorite does not include anything from Pandora or Spotify, the two main services I use. In the meantime, you can use Spotify Connect from the Spotify App. OVERALL: This is an awesome looking speaker with a great sound presentation much like a club or concert sound. This is a perfect party speaker that can be taken with you because of the built in battery and handle. The App is a necessary item to set up the WiFi, but outside of that it does not present much in the way of making the speaker more impressive than it already is. I would highly recommend this speaker to a friend for what it does do well, great awesome sound!

In many circles of audiophiles, you will hear or read time and time again that function matters over form. “Looks be danged, as long as the speaker produces the best sound possible!” But what if, my dear readers, you could have both? What if it was possible, to have a Bluetooth speaker that, pound for pound, absolutely rocks a room with incredibly balanced and clear audio, while also being so aesthetically pleasing as to be welcomed to adorn the shelves, dressers, mantles, or tables of even the classiest of folks? Enter the JBL Authentics series and¬–more specifically–the JBL Authentics 300 that stands out as the absolute Goldilocks selection in this current triune Authentics lineup! I am in love with this speaker. Plain and simple. From the moment you open up the JBL packaging, you can tell that they care deeply about the presentation and heritage this Authentics series represents. On first handling the speaker and pulling it out of the box, I was stunned by its substantial heft and high-quality feeling materials and assemblage, all pointing again to the determination that this is not merely another boring black box to sit on the counter of some bachelor’s bathroom while they listen to their favorite podcast. This is a speaker that when placed in the center of my living room, drew our attention and admiration immediately. The setup was as simple as anyone could hope these days of wireless-connected audio products. I intuitively pressed the power button on top of the device and was greeted by 75% battery from the factory (according to the visual battery indicator) and the sound of a pleasant guitar riff on boot-up in place of the usual annoying beeps or robotic voice directions of other, lesser Bluetooth speakers. I opened my iPhone Bluetooth settings, pressed and held the Bluetooth button on the speaker for a few seconds, and was immediately able to find it in my Bluetooth devices and connect with ease. Then came that moment of holy ascension into the heaven of audio that washed over me like warm bath water after a chilly winter’s snowball fight. The trebles–crisp. The mids–present and blended. The bass–warm and impressively potent yet not overwhelming or overpowering of the rest of the audio mix. Present on top of the device are manual knobs for treble and bass, but I simply sat back on my couch and enjoyed the audio rolling over me while drinking in the visual, retro appeal of this most excellent speaker. All of this dramatic write-up aside, I want to convey in plain terms that this speaker is the best choice for anyone who wants a mature, good-looking speaker that has excellent utility as a dual-smart assistant capable speaker, while also having the deep pockets to pony up for this trendy device. I would never lie and pretend that there are no Bluetooth speakers half this price that sound as good if not better. But I will also pair this with the honest opinion that most of them look half or less as good concurrently. I will not sit here and write out a recitation of all of the stats and facts about this speaker that are already listed in the product descriptions and specifications but will mainly focus on some final points of praise and some points of improvement for the future of this device lineup. A point of praise is that this speaker is the perfect size and capability to be a good, multi-room transportable speaker with its substantial eight-hour battery life, while also being of a size and aesthetic to be perfect as a soundbar replacement for those inclined to use it as such. My wife and I use a portable projector setup as the “TV” in our room, for the rare times we feel like enjoying a movie or show in our bed. This Authentics 300 speaker, plugged into power, served its purpose perfectly over the course of my testing of connecting each time automatically I turned on the projector (and Xgimi Mogo 2 for those interested) and was a source of awe and praise for us as it turned our bedroom into a close facsimile of the full surround sound entertainment system we utilize in our living room. The only detractor that I can identify in this speaker is one that may be considerable for some and less for others: The speaker does not charge via the USB-C port, but via a power cable that, while not proprietary, certainly doesn’t have the kind of portability and universality that a truly on-the-go Bluetooth device would require. This is the same kind of double-barrel plug cable, though, that many consoles like the Sony PS4 use for their power, so you can find extras for less than 10 dollars online if you are concerned about portability! Alas, I think that for a device that, to my testing, uses less than 35 watts at peak power while charging, many of us would have preferred an external adapter with a USB-C cable, allowing us to trickle charge the device or buy additional adapters as needed (or charge with 35 watts PD cabled power stations), as opposed to having the AC adapter built into the device with this undeniably ugly cable serving as the only means to charge this speaker. That small but unavoidable irritation aside, I am happy to say that this speaker has earned its place in our home and hearts as a main go-to for all our music and portable external audio purposes. There are many soundbars that can perform admirably as music speakers, but there are not many portable Bluetooth speakers that can look this good and perform so well in that dual purpose! Furthermore, the addition of being able to set up this speaker to serve as an Alexa smart speaker (and/or Google Smart Assistance for those inclined) further increases its modern utility. Thanks for reading and I hope this review has helped to encourage any excitement you already may be stoking for the anticipation of choosing to buy this speaker!

Wow does this thing deliver the goods! The JBL Authentic 300 is a portable Bluetooth speaker that provides you with many listening options, great sound and portability. The JBL Authentic 300 is a midsize and solid Bluetooth speaker with a retro look. On the bottom of the unit is a subwoofer that provides plenty of bass and doesn’t sound boomy in the least. The top of the speaker consists of three control nobs, volume, treble and bass and three buttons, a Bluetooth button, power button and favorite button. Around back there is a switch to enable google or Alexa for music streaming and a plug to attach the power cord, an AUX mini jack input, a USB-C input and an ethernet input. The nice thing is you can connect the unit with the power cord or use it with the 8-hour battery. Set up Set up is very straight forward using the JBL One app to connect the Wi-Fi and enable the smart providers, Google or Alexa. Through the One app you can stream music from your Smart Phone, Google or Alexa. The 300 also provides the ability to connect external sources through the AUX input or the USB-C input. To use the Smart apps, Google and Alexa the 300 must be powered on so the built-in microphone can hear your requests. The Sound and Use The JBL Authentic 300 provides room filling sound that is very pleasing and doesn’t sound strained or fatiguing to listen to. I started by streaming from iPhone to the 300 and the sound was very satisfying. By using the JBL One app you can tailor the sound using the included band equalizer. Whether listening to rock, jazz or pop music the quality of sound from the JBL Authentic 300 is outstanding. It doesn’t matter what source you listen to; the sound is excellent. It seems like the battery goes on forever. It is rated at 8 hours of use and I have been using it a couple of hours per day and it keeps going strong. The bad There really aren’t any bad things overall, but a weakness. The three nobs for the volume and tone control are simulated nobs that when turned to the right increase and when turned to the left it decreases the control of the tone or volume. It is more of a touch control than a traditional nob. The other thing that stands out to me is the overall heft or weight of the 300, this is not something that would be a big negative. Final thoughts This is a great speaker for sure and provides excellent sound from a solid device. I recommend it to anyone looking for a great portable Bluetooth speaker that provides room filling sound.

The JBL Authentics 300 speaker is a stunning combination of retro style and superior sound, providing a portable audio experience that can transform any corner of home. Starting with its design, this speaker boasts a gorgeous retro '70s-inspired look with a leather-like enclosure and the iconic Quadrex grille, making it a statement piece in any room. The attention to detail is evident in the cast-aluminum handle and the special JBL signature pattern on the down-firing passive radiator. This speaker doesn't just deliver incredible sound; it's a visual delight too. Setting up the speaker is a breeze. Download the app on your iOS or android device, power up the speaker, and follow the simple pairing instructions. Connecting to voice assistants like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa is equally straightforward through the JBL app, allowing you to control your smart home devices and enjoy hands-free music playback with ease. A remarkable feature is the ability to invoke either assistant at any time. This means that you can ask Alexa to play your favorite playlist, and then someone else in your household can ask Google to pause or skip tracks. It's a convenient touch that adds flexibility to your voice control experience. The control buttons on the speaker are not only functional but also cool and easy to use. Plus, there's a microphone mute switch at the back for added privacy when you don't want to be heard all the time. Now, let's talk about the sound quality. It delivers an exceptional audio performance with a booming loudness and deep bass that's sure to impress. It features a pair of 25mm tweeters for crisp highs and a full-range 5.25-inch woofer, along with a down-firing 6.5-inch passive radiator for that rich, room-filling bass. No matter what type of music, this speaker ensures the perfect audio balance. A standout features is the built-in rechargeable battery, offering up to 8 hours of playtime. This, combined with the integrated carrying handle, makes it easy to take your music from room to room or even outside. It also supports multi-room playback, allowing you to place multiple speakers throughout your home and sync them for a seamless, synchronized audio experience. Additionally, the speaker offers multiple music streaming options via built-in Wi-Fi, including AirPlay, Alexa Multi-Room Music (MRM), Chromecast built-in, and Spotify Connect. In conclusion, the JBL Authentics 300 is a visually striking speaker with exceptional sound quality, intuitive controls, and versatile voice assistant support. Its portability, multi-room playback, voice assistants, and user-friendly features make it an excellent addition to any home audio setup. Whether you're an audiophile or just looking to enhance your music experience, this speaker excels in both style and substance, and will make a statement in any room.