Customer Ratings & Reviews

JBL has been in the audio business for nearly a century, and the Authentics 300 is not only a retro design throwback, but also a testament to why they’ve stayed in business for so long. This beautifully designed portable Bluetooth speaker has a sleek exterior wrapped in black leather and accented with matte gold trim. There is a sturdy metal foldaway handle that’s also covered in leather except for its hinges. This makes it convenient to carry for portable use since it has a built-in rechargeable battery that can last up to 8 hours of playback on a full charge. By default the speaker turns off after 1 hour of inactivity when on battery power, though you can change this to a shorter duration (30 or 15 minutes) or disable it altogether. The speaker is quite hefty though at nearly 11 lbs. The machined black aluminum control dials for volume, treble, and bass feature infinite-scrolling in both directions, though the indicator LEDs will let you know when you’ve reached the minimum or maximum settings. There are also silver LED-backlit Bluetooth, Power, and Heart buttons. A multi-function playback button sits in the center of the volume dial that can start/stop playback or skip tracks with double and triple presses. The deeply grooved waffle-style speaker grille is covered in a fine mesh fabric and produces a diffusion pattern that distributes the audio in all directions; despite its relatively small size this speaker can effectively fill a large room with sound with 100W output from two 25mm tweeters and full-range 5.25 inch woofer. It also has a down-firing 6.5 passive radiator on the underside of the unit that rounds out the sound and supports the mids and highs with surprisingly full bass. The bottom of the speaker is raised about 0.5 inch to allow the low frequencies to resonate out, and the rubber feet of the speaker are cleverly shaped with a raised center so that there are only two small points of contact on each, further isolating the speaker from the surface it sits on to prevent the transfer of unwanted vibrations. At the back of the speaker, the I/O panel has an RJ45 Ethernet port for a wired network connection, 3.5mm AUX input, USB-C output for charging your devices, and power input for use with the included power cable. Note that the USB-C port cannot be used for charging the speaker. Towards the top is a toggle switch for the dual-microphones used to interact with a voice assistant like Alexa or Google. Unfortunately, Siri isn’t an available option here. The mic toggle will display red or green, depending on whether the mic is muted or not. Connecting to the speaker wirelessly via Bluetooth is quick and straightforward, and you can start streaming audio to the speaker from your mobile device in minutes. However, if you want to unlock all its functionality, you’ll have use the JBL One app and connect the speaker to the internet over WiFi or Ethernet. In the app, you can link the speaker to your Amazon and Google accounts to enable their voice assistants; both services can be used on this speaker simultaneously using their respective wake words. You’ll also be able to link a handful of music streaming services including iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and TIDAL. In the JBL app is where you’ll also customize a “Moment” by selecting a playlist from a supported streaming service that plays when you press the “Heart” button on the controls. Note that you can only set up one “Moment” at a time, however, you can choose a default starting volume and auto shutoff time for this feature (up to an hour, in 15 minute increments) and change the selected playlist whenever you like. This speaker can be used with other networked speakers for multi-room or true stereo playback, in which a pair of speakers outputs only the left or right channels of a track. Multi-speaker streaming with our existing Alexa speakers was flawless and they were perfectly synced with no perceptible lag. The audio quality of the speaker is superb with crystal clear sound, sparkling trebles, and tight bass beats. Even at max volume there was very little distortion when playing genres like pop, classical, and jazz. The sound is well-rounded and although you can only adjust treble and bass using the physical dials, you can adjust the mid EQ in the JBL One app. Overall, the design of the Authentics 300 is clean, chic, and decidedly retro but with modern capabilities like wireless streaming and AI voice assistant integration. The sound is smooth and accurate, and it delivers a satisfying listening experience no matter where you’re situated in a room. You can control the speaker remotely via the app or voice commands and take it on-the-go, however, keep in mind that it’s not weatherproof as the exterior finishes aren’t the most durable.

The JBL Authentics 300 is a really cool retro looking speaker. I love the style of it. It takes me back to a time when things were made to last. The body of the cabinet is covered in a nice black, textured leather-like material that gives the speaker a quality look and feel. Combine that with the light gold trim on the front and handle hinge and you have a very sharp and clean look. The speaker grill likewise has a retro look to it. It looks like when grills used to be made out of black foam. This grill has that same look but is a lot sturdier and more rigid which feels like it will hold up very well to use. The handle is another plus. It too is covered in a stitched leather-like material. It has a simple hinge on each side that let you push it back out of the way when playing it, but pull it up for carrying. It's a sturdy handle that can easily carry all 10lbs of it's weight with confidence. The jacks on the back are all recessed to keep them safe. You have the AC input, a USB-C jack, a 3.5mm input jack and an RJ45 network jack. There's also a switch on the top rear of the back panel that let's you turn on or off the voice assistant feature. Underneath the cabinet are four arched rubber feet to help it stay where you put it and also isolate the sound. The top of the cabinet has three knobs. One for volume, and two more for tone (bass and treble). Each knob has an illuminated ring that lights up when making adjustments either by manually turning them or by using your phone. These serve as kind of virtual dials by lighting up more or less of the ring as you rotate the knobs to the right to increase, or the left to decrease. In the center of the volume knob, there's a push button that replicates basic transport controls. One press for pause/play, two presses for next track and three presses for last track. In addition to the knobs, there are three separate buttons. One is a power button to turn the speaker on and off, a second is a Bluetooth button used for pairing, and a third is what JBL refers to a a Moment button. This lets you set up favorite settings through the JBL ONE app. The top also includes an illuminated battery LED bar that shows the current battery life. Pairing was simple and it connected via Bluetooth the first time I tried it, no app needed. However, you do have the option of downloading the free JBL ONE app from your favorite app store. I do appreciate when the companion app is named something intuitive. This one is actually named JBL ONE, making it easy to find later. The app will show you what's playing and give you some transport controls. There's also a three band graphic equalizer which does help to fine tune the sound. You'll also find links to the manual as well as documentation on how to set up additional Authentics speakers for either stereo playback (using two individual speakers) or to have music playing in different areas of your house. It also includes various streaming apps to choose from. You will need the app to configure your Moment (favorite) settings and also to download and install any firmware updates (which it already did twice since I've been using it). Whether you like Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, JBL has you covered. You can use either one, or both simultaneously. There's a small LED behind the front grill that will let you know the state of your voice assistant connection. You can also choose whether or not to use any assistants by switching the slider switch on the rear panel, either on or off. If you want to use a hardwire connection between your JBL Authentics 300 and a computer or phone, you have that option as well with the 3.5mm jack. If you like deep, punchy bass response, you won't be disappointed. The 300 delivers that in spades. On the bottom panel, there's a rubber insert that looks like it would be a subwoofer, except that the edges of it are sealed to the bottom panel making me think that it functions more as an active bass port. It does move in and out as a sub would. Either way, it definitely contributes to the bass you hear, and radiates in all directions. That being said, I found that placing the speaker on a hard flat surface works best as opposed to something like a table, although you can certainly do that, you get the best bass response from positioning it on the floor and having it several feet away. The midrange is very clear and not overpowering. The high end is also quite clean and doesn't make the overall sound come off as tinny. This of course can all be tuned to your liking with the graphic EQ in the app and with experimenting with speaker placement. For the most part, I listen to a wide variety of rock, but my tastes swing pretty wide into jazz, electronica, new age and acoustic. None of the different styles I listened to disappointed me in any way. I enjoyed everything I listened to and wanted to keep experimenting with the different styles I like. The sound quality is comparable with other JBL products I owned and heard over the past (too many years to admit to). My whole experience with the Authentics 300 was a very fun and satisfying one. I love the retro styling and colors. It's very portable and easy to carry and has a beautiful leather-like finish. The controls are intuitive and laid out well. There's just enough to let you feel nothing is missing, and not any extraneous buttons that make you think; what the heck does that button do? JBL has been in the speaker business for a long, long time, and it's a pleasure to see and hear this level of quality. You just feel that you've chosen something special from a respected audio manufacturer. Really nicely done.

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!

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

For starters, the JBL Authentics 300 is a beautiful speaker. The retro look really works, and the speaker has a very solid feel to it. The materials JBL chose have a good, quality feel to them, and the fit & finish is impressive. The JBL One app made it fairly easy to get the speaker connected to wifi. It did take a couple of tries, but I may have just been impatient the first time. It also walks you through setting up Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Not only can you use either assistant, but this speaker will actually let you use both at the same time, if you so choose. This could be handy if you have some services that work better with Alexa, and some that work better with Google. There’s also a convenient switch on the back that will disable the microphone. I find this particularly useful when you have that one annoying guest that's constantly telling/asking Alexa/Google something. The controls on top are fine. I’d prefer a bit more tactile feedback when turning the controls, especially the volume control. There’s a light ring around the controls that indicate the level, but I think it would be better if the controls also had a little ‘click’ feel to them. Not a big deal, more of a personal preference. Speaking of controls, there are also dials for bass & treble, but nothing for the mids. However, you are able to adjust the mids using the JBL One app. There’s also a ‘Moment’ feature button on the unit that I thought was promising, but it was a big let down. It’s supposed to be a one press button that will automatically start your favorite music playlist, with additional options of presetting the volume & automatic stop time, if you’d like. However, it only works with a handful of services, which don’t include SiriusXM or Spotify, which are my primary music services. So, this ended up being a useless feature for me. Hopefully JBL rectifies this with a future update… Sound quality is good. Not necessarily mind blowing, but definitely better than your average $100-$200 bluetooth speaker. Bass is fairly impressive, and treble is really good, but mids are so-so. You can definitely fill a room with decent sound, and the sound quality holds fairly well as the volume increases. Soundstage isn’t too bad either, with minimal directionalness. Battery life is very impressive, and shouldn’t have any trouble living up to the advertised 8 hour life. I’m into hour 7 of wifi streaming, at about 30% volume, and the battery level is at 25%. Nice! Obviously, this won’t hold true at higher volumes, but still impressive. Overall, I’m quite happy with the JBL Authentics 300. Once summer rolls back into town, I can easily see this speaking being a fixture whenever we’re out in the backyard.

The JBL Authentics 300 is a stylish and powerful speaker that blends classic design with cutting-edge technology. Here's what impressed me the most: * Rich, room-filling sound: This speaker delivers crisp highs, deep bass, and plenty of volume to fill any room in your house. * Unique retro style: The leather-like finish and metal handle give this speaker a vintage look that complements any décor. * Versatile connectivity: You can stream music via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or even a wired connection. * Smart assistant convenience: Built-in support for both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa lets you control your music and smart home devices with your voice. * Portable with a built-in battery: Take your music anywhere around the house or even outdoors, thanks to the rechargeable battery. While the price tag might be on the higher side, the JBL Authentics 300 is a great choice for audiophiles who appreciate both style and substance.

If you know portable speakers in any way, you know JBL is at the top of the list when it comes to sound quality, build quality, connectivity, you name it. This new line of authentic speakers builds on the foundation of a premium audio experience while having a very unique retro look to them. I have the 300 model, and I can say without a shadow of a doubt that this is by far the best-sounding speaker I've ever connected to anything. The ease of use in the app, being able to control the actual sound signature and EQ directly from the app on your phone, is priceless. It gets you satisfied with sound exactly how you want it. I personally use this as a Bluetooth speaker, of course, with my phone, iPad, and I also hooked it up to my TV using an aux cable just to see what it was like to use as a soundbar. I was blown away by sound quality in each of these modes and uses. Especially the TV one, being used as a soundbar, was pretty crazy because it makes it sound like you have a subwoofer and three front channel speakers when it's just one box that's fairly small and hideable, to be honest. This really is the complete package if you're looking for a speaker, whether it be for family gatherings, parties, personal use, or even in a car. With this great battery life of around eight hours, you can't go wrong no matter what you're trying to do with this thing. The build quality is absolutely solid, the feeling of the leather like material all around the body, the premium knobs, everything goes a long way to tell you that you are working with the best. Highly recommended.

JJBL hit a home run at this price point. The 300 has excellent sound and through the app equalizer adjustable to your taste. With plenty of power to fill large rooms and self adjusting to room acoustics it sounds great in any room. Wifi and Bluetooth connection makes it flexible for what ever source you want to use. Voice control is great and makes control hands free. A bit heavy but handle allows easy transport. Battery life is excellent. This is a excellent choice for portable music.

This unit has amazing sound and is very portable. Voice is clear and bass is deep. Batteries hold their charge for several hours of continuous use. The assistant (google or alexa) is also a bonus.

The speaker delivers impressive audio clarity with deep bass and crisp highs. Its sleek design complements any space, and the Bluetooth connectivity makes it convenient. The battery life is commendable, providing extended usage without compromising sound quality. Overall, a solid choice for those seeking a balance between performance and aesthetics.

Compare to apple homepod, amazon echo studio this provided better sound for music. Bass is punchy and clear and theres options to tune the sound to your liking. Speaker integates well with spotify connect, google and alexa services. Turns on quickly so you can start playing music right when you need to

The JBL Authentics 300 is a premium smart speaker that delivers in every department—exceptional sound, stunning design, smart features, and portability. Whether you’re an audiophile, a casual listener, or someone who appreciates stylish home decor, this speaker is a fantastic investment. BIG FAN OF JBL FOREVER

Do you want a Bluetooth speaker you can use at home for Google with a real sonic punch? Do you want to be able to use it portably? Do you want gobs and gobs of BASS!? This is the speaker for you. Clear sound lots of bass (can be turned down to a more reasonable level if that's your thing) and smart home compatible.

This speaker works well for me with very good sound from one box. Separate tone controls very useful. Connected to Roon easily via ethernet. Wireless setup easy. Good amount of volume for my cellar setup It needs solid surface to sit on to get best bass response. I got this in 2 days from Best Buy as an excellent open box unit Looked like new when it arrived. I haven't played with the app that much but it seems to work well. Chromecast built in made Roon connection easy. Wireless setup worked well after I disconnected ethernet cable which I will continue to use for reliable connection to music.

Sounds great. Not the loudest kid on the block though. Battery life claims are realistic. Easy set-up to network. It' mainly used in my living room and it doesn't look like some plastic toy your kid left out.

First of all, I switch a lot of items, to enjoy what technology brings everyday! Coming from a Marshall speaker, a Woburn 2 specifically, I can tell this was the right move to do. First, the speaker quality is sublime. The material is premium and feels very resistant. Its one of those that you know they'll last. Second, the sound quality is what you expect for this price, the delivery is just perfect for the price point. Of course, as with everything audio it comes to personal preference. And having audiophile quality products, I can for sure know some of you might disagree. But for this price point, I find it hard to match it. Third, it's features are just okay, personally I don't have a purpose for assistant on such speaker, but that is biased, I prefer my Google Assistant on the go, such as my phone or watch; My Nest is more than enought for that. The JBL One app that this speaker requires is ok, not as intuitive as Bose App, not as customizable as Sony Headphones, it's just ok. Equalizer only haves 3 settings, so playing with it won't give you the results you'd expect. But it sufices.My only issue with it was the Spotify integration, but being in Tidal was a smooth, sometimes app might act on music reproduction, but it is bearable.Now, having a battery, even if it is a short one it's the big win for me, handle is very well built and I just find it very convenient to have for those reunions that might come up. Overall, an above average,if not, about perfect experience. Definitely a quality product that will last in your shelf.

I have JBL speakers in different sizes and performance these unit hands down the best looking one . It is luxurious the faux leather feel real sounds is incredible and little distortion. Fit and finish is way above other JBL really impress with performance Google and Alexa compatible AT the same time never seen that before. You can plug and play or charge it and use it wirelessly

Great sound. Portable. Fill out space like in a stadium. Great base. Bought it for my mom so easiness of adjusting setting manually is a big plus.

I love this speaker, the sound is amazing, and you can adjust the settings to what works for you. It can connect to other JBL speakers (JBL flip 5) so you can use it in multiple rooms. It connects to google home, Alexa and acts as a smart speaker. Sounds super high end, you can unplug it and the battery on the speaker lasts for hours

Love, love, love. I have a few Bluetooth speakers lower priced and 1 equivalent. This one sounds WAY better than the Harman Karson Onyx 6. I really liked the onyx until I got this one. I like really loud music and this one is my favorite! The base is lovely amd the sound is so clear. It easily connect to my phone and hooked up to my google home flawlessly. The price is high but sounds fantastic. If it ever goes on sale, I will buy another one, no question. Only flaw in my opinion, I wish they would have a grate or something to protect the speaker underneath. Just need to make sure you put it on a flat surface. Love it.