Customer Ratings & Reviews

What a fantastic speaker. The craftsmanship and detailing on it are just top notch - from the metal antique-brass/gold surround at the front and the big tactile knobs on top, to the modern clean back lines and bottom subwoofer’s integration detailing. Each area is cleanly and precisely designed and produced. But it's also got to sound amazing and deliver on its smart home promises too… and I’m glad to say that it does both fantastically! Sound: Really great sound. This model has dual 25mm tweeters and a really nice downward facing 5” subwoofer. Like other modern speakers, it also self-tunes its sound to the space each time you start it up, guaranteeing you get the best sounding music for the room it’s in. EQ can easily be adjusted, both at the top of the unit and from the app (which I’ll get into next) providing easy adjustments when desired. In my impression, this leads to an ability to get music with greater bass than some of the other competitors in the space. One thing of note, however, is that it directs most of its sound straight out of its front flat-ish grill. I found this to make it a bit more directional by design. - It really wants to be placed on a shelf, against a wall and aimed at the core space of the room for even sound. Otherwise, you’ll notice a drop off in volume when you’re to the sides of the speaker. Regardless, sound quality is top notch. Ease of Setup / App Use: Setup of the dual assistants and airplay integration comes via the app, and what a nice app it is. For the first time, I’m actually impressed by a product companion app! - no small feat, for sure! It’s well designed and guides you though what was a flawless setup process for me. From connecting to wifi, to adding both Amazon’s Alexa and Google’s Assistant one right after each other. What’s more is that they operate flawlessly. I could easily ask Alexa to start my Spotify playlist and then tell Google to stop the playback to do something else. I was even able to continue music in the background via the big play button on the top of the speaker while Alexa continued answering my question in the foreground. It’s a real multitasker and it just works! Very impressive. The app also has a nice rich view into playback controls with a well designed access to EQ adjustments for changes on the fly. Aesthetics: Talking more on aesthetics, I wasn’t certain how I’d like the retro styling in person, but it pulls it off beautifully. This speaker is an awesome mix of tactile throwbacks to the designs of the 70’s, while also being firmly locked into modern design cues and technology. Most of the modern elements come from using the speaker, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much attention they gave to all sides of the speaker. You can just feel how premium the overall speaker is. Summary: In short, this is a superb premium speaker from JBL. The retro styling is equally met with modern design and functionality in a perfect combination. Even if retro isn’t what you’re after specifically, this speaker looks fantastic on a shelf or within a modern home setting. Our family was instantly impressed. —— Good Stuff: - Amazing sound and control - Fantastic material quality and design execution - Stellar app and easy setup - Wifi with Airplay integration - Flawlessly simultaneous smart assistants (Alexa and Google Assistant) - Self-tuning to rooms, multi-room playback with more speakers Less Good: - Sound can seem more directional than other premium speakers - Segmented LED indication around each knob is too widely spaced to interpret clearly.

I have several bluetooth speakers but this is currently the favorite in the household! We are constantly fighting over who get to use it! The base will literally shake the floor! There is a base speaker on the bottom of the unit (picture attached) that really vibrates when the base is boosted and the volume is up! If you have neighbors or live in an apartment, you might need to be careful to avoid complaints! Setting it up is super easy- It makes a nice tone when you first plug it in. You pair your phone or device by holding the blue tooth button on top of the speaker until it flashes and makes a tone. You will then see it on your device to pair. It also is compatible with Google so it replaces my "mini" in my bedroom. When I ask google for the weather or other information, I now get my response through the JBL speaker instead. The sound is clear and amazing for the size! It is heavier than it looks. My only suggestion to improve it- A handle would be nice. I wonder if the makers assumed it would be plugged in and left in one location. They didn't expect a family like mine that wants to keep moving it from room to room (it's great to use when taking a shower! Just don't get it wet!). It would also be nice if it there was a chargeable battery so it could be used without the plug. As it is you need to be tied to a plug to use it. This may limit outdoor use. Despite those suggestions, this is still my favorite speaker. I am still awestruck by the quality of the sound

I love speakers, specifically smart speakers, and I am always looking to try new ones. I had not tried a JBL product in years and wanted to give this one a try since I only see portable JBL speakers and headphones of late. Smart speakers need to do 2 things well for me to like it; a stable AirPlay connection and Alexa built. This JBL does both very well. It also connects via bluetooth and a line in option, making it very flexible. Alexa works very well and my music from my iPhone sounds great via AirPlay. I never use bluetooth for music as I typically stream to other rooms as well. I love that I can adjust the bass and the treble on this, the app also gives some adjustment control. I prefer the bass up high and the treble low but this speaker sounded better with the treble turned up a bit. The sound is good but not impressive at higher volumes; it just sounds like it's missing that extra oomph. There are bigger, more expensive speakers in this range from JBL and I suspect they sound much better at the higher volume. Now, I'm a picky listener and I'm willing to bet that most people will think it sounds fantastic. Good speaker for my desktop, it will get plenty of use for years as it is an attractive device.

I recently purchased the JBL Authentics 200, and let me tell you—this speaker is an absolute gem! Its retro-inspired design instantly caught my eye, blending a timeless ‘70s vibe with modern elegance. The Quadrex grille, leather-like enclosure, and premium aluminum frame make it a stylish centerpiece in any room. But looks aren’t everything—this speaker delivers where it matters most: sound quality. The dual 25mm tweeters and 5-inch woofer produce crystal-clear highs, rich mids, and deep, resonant bass. Whether I’m jamming to rock classics, streaming a podcast, or enjoying some soothing jazz, the audio performance is always on point. What truly sets the JBL Authentics 200 apart is how it combines convenience and technology. Just think of it as a super-upgraded version of Google Home or Alexa. Not only does it integrate seamlessly with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa simultaneously, but it also gives you robust audio performance that leaves other smart speakers in the dust. You can control your smart home devices, stream music effortlessly via Spotify Connect, AirPlay, or Chromecast, and even set up multi-room playback—all with simple voice commands. The Wi-Fi connectivity and JBL One app are the icing on the cake, allowing you to fine-tune your audio settings and customize the EQ for a sound that’s tailored to you. Plus, the automatic self-tuning ensures the speaker delivers optimal performance, no matter where it’s placed in your home. Lastly, the eco-conscious design deserves a special shoutout. Made from recycled materials and packaged responsibly, JBL has managed to create a product that’s not only phenomenal in performance but also kinder to the planet. If you’re looking for a speaker that combines retro charm, cutting-edge features, and incredible sound quality, the JBL Authentics 200 is your best bet. Highly recommend it to anyone who values style, substance, and sustainability!

The sound from this speaker is very good - especially considering its fairly compact size. I use it with an electric drum kit, and the bass of the kick drum is highly satisfactory, as is the high 'ting' of the cymbal.

You will need to install the JBL One app to set up your speakers Wi-Fi connection. The app is a bit bare bones but it does what it has to do to get you connected quickly. Connecting to my network stalled with the first attempt but succeeded immediately when I restarted the app. From the app you can authorize various music steaming services for in-app play but not Apple Music or Spotify. For that you need to use Airplay or Spotify Connect from the dedicated Apple Music and Spotify apps. I am using Apple Music, Spotify, SiriusXM and Radio Paradise and all connect as needed. By the way, if you are unfamiliar with Radio Paradise do yourself a favor and check it out. I’m using the Wi-Fi connection but I always appreciate an ethernet port and one is provided. In Settings, you can check your Wi-Fi strength, a nice feature to have. I tried casting from my PC within the Chrome browser. I heard a tone from the speaker like it was trying to connect but it never succeeded even after several tries. So then I cast from an inexpensive Lenovo tablet and got an immediate connection. I’ll have to look into the PC connection problem because I’d really like that to work from the office PC. But for now, it’s easily worked around. There are controls on the speaker top that include volume, the ability to save one favorite of your choice, Bluetooth and tone controls for Bass and Treble. It’s handy to have easy access to the controls if you are nearby. You can fine tune bass, midrange and treble from the app and save this as a custom setting. It’ll play louder than I’ll ever need it to but if you like to party, you’ll be able to crank it up. My Office space is 16” x 10’ and the speaker easily fills the room with sound. The build of the speaker is really solid using premium materials. And it has a premium slightly retro look to it. It should look good in any décor. I haven’t said too much about the sound. I’ll just say that it sounds great to me. The tone controls should allow just about everyone to get a sound that they are satisfied with. The best way to test a speaker is in your own home. Best Buy has a very reasonable return policy so if this speaker appeals to you go ahead and give it a try. I bet you won’t be disappointed. While not related to the speaker itself, I want to mention Best Buys Open Box program. I made this purchase though that program and the speaker arrived in perfect condition. The box was a little beat up but otherwise all was good. The box arrived in the original JBL box and was left on my doorstep that way, advertising the contents. Not ideal. I would’ve preferred that the JBL packaging had been shipped inside a plain brown nondescript box for shipping.

This speaker sounds amazing i know have the 200 and the 500 series and both sound amazing! Great bass and mids. The highs are extremely clear. Not quite the normal sound of newer JBL products but instead a nice level sound, but if it doesn’t sound like you like they give you a EQ to adjust it, its not the best but it is there and can make a decent differnce in the sound. Only downside I would say, which is probably not even JBL’s fault is that, is it loses connection to google home at least once a day an wont work with the google home stuff for about an hour outside of that absolutely nothing to complain about! Well worth the purchase!

The sound It’s very good, I like the size for this speaker bc match perfect in my room

Excellent design and sound quality. A perfect idea for a gift

This is a powerful speaker! The design is nice too. It looks cool and modern. The bass is so good. I will be buying another one. Easy setup.

I have owned many smart speakers including Sonos, Harman Kardon Citation, Google, Amazon Echo, and the Authentics 200 is unquestionably the best. Feature wise it stands out by featuring both full Hey Google and Alexa control. I really like the control setup which lets me adjust the volume and tone controls with three large knobs on the top. I'm an old man so I remember the original JBL L100 Eggcrate grills, and this matches that (original orange color would have been nice.) What really stands out is the sound. Typical punchy balanced JBL sound...but with the best bass I have heard in a smaller speaker. I am very pleased.

I liked the bass response of the speaker, and it works with Alexa and Google assistants. However, the strong bass seems to overpower the treble response. It doesn't have the crisp sound of a Sonos Era 100, that I have. Even adjusting the bass and treble in the JBL app didn't seem to help. I also used the aux input (which is a plus for JBL, since an extra adapter needs to be purchased to have an aux input on the Sonos). However, using it with a synth keyboard, I noticed a half second delay (perhaps due to DSP processing). This is not acceptable when playing live music. I returned the Authentics 200, but if you like bass and are only streaming music, it may work for you.

I got the 300 and returned it! It sounded like a straight up boom box, glaring and lacking crispness. This speaker delivers similar sound and better. I'm not sure if it was the speaker handle or battery that made the 300 sound clunky but the 200 sounds 10x better! I really enjoy it. Note: this one needs to be plugged in. There is no battery.

This JB sound box is wonderful. It is loud fit in small areas. I’m glad I purchased this item for my daughter.

the greatest and most stylish speaker under $500 Before purchasing I looked through YouTube reviews and found someone who did a sound test with some machine that measures sound and found that this one and the JBL authentics 300 sound exactly the same. So if you don't need a handle or wireless battery this is the one for you, otherwise your just paying nearly 200$ extra for those features. It also pumps pretty good bass. I use mine for the kitchen/ home office .

Such an amazing speaker! I’m even excited to use this for party’s. It’s the smallest one but it definitely packs a punch! Even for home theatre it sounds great! You can download an app to fine tune the sound quality as much as it can let you

It sounds amazing and the bass is The best it just sucks that it has to be plugged in the wall

Finally a smart home speaker with network connectivity- this speaker sounds amazing in my dining room. I purchased it to play some background music for dinner- let me tell you this little guy throws a punch for its size.

Keeping it short, this is a superb premium speaker from JBL. The retro styling is equally met with modern design and functionality in a perfect combination. Even if retro isn’t what you’re after specifically, this speaker looks fantastic on a shelf or within a modern home setting. We are impressed and recommend it.

This speaker has very good base given its size. It also has more then enough volume. I cant turn it to full volume inside the house without it being too loud.