Customer Ratings & Reviews

Cant go wrong with JBL sounds great for any room or office

The JBL Authentics 300 Smart Home Speaker falls squarely in the middle of their 2023 release of three new home speakers. What distinguishes this speaker from the other two from JBL is the inclusion of a handle, which in my opinion makes it the best balance of size and portability. The initial excitement of the 300 comes when unboxing the speaker and discovering its really cool design, modern but with a retro vibe. From a distance, the speaker grill appears to be made of black foam often found in speakers back in the day, giving it that retro look. It turns out to be a firm material that serves to protect a 5.25-inch full range speaker and two small 25mm tweeters. Overall, it’s a decent size speaker with some heft to it but because of the handle, it is easy to tote around from room to room. Much of the handle and exterior of the speaker is clad in black grained leather-like material . Metal trim has a sandblasted light bronze pewter look which perfectly complements the rich leather grain appearance. What matters most is the sound, and the JBL Authentics 300 delivers high quality sound with deep solid bass, clear mid-range, and bright crisp highs. Bass is accentuated from a tuned passive speaker located on the bottom of the unit For such a relatively small speaker, it puts out bass that you can feel. The entire speaker has a solid vibration-free sound. Even the speaker’s rubber feet give it a soft landing on any hard surface and prevents any rattling at higher volumes. One thing to be aware of though, is that this is a single source speaker system and thus cannot produce stereo sound. One must move up to the JBL Authentics 500 to get Dolby Atmos and take advantage of adding a more immersive dimension to its sound experience. The Authentics 300 works perfectly as a stand-alone speaker with controls for volume, bass, and treble that have continuous LED lights encircling the dials to indicate their individual settings. Of course, a smart phone or tablet will most likely be your source for playing music and the 300 provides streaming music using Bluetooth, built-in Chromecast, and is WiFi-enabled for Apple’s Airplay. It even has a RJ-45 jack in the rear of the speaker to connect directly to your wired internet service. A switch in the top rear of the speaker allows use of Google Assistant or Amazon’s Alexa to become a smart-enabled home audio device to do everything from control its music, listen to podcasts, and even turn on the lights. Even better, battery life with the Authentics 300 is about 8 hours and comes with an AC cord if you want to leave it plugged in or to charge the battery. Speaking of smartphones and tablets, JBL provides the JBL One app that can further customize some of the speaker’s many features and includes a 3-band equalizer. I’ve used JBL products for several years now and have come to recognize them as leaders in audio quality and workmanship. The audio system in my Toyota Highlander features JBL speakers, and I also own the tiny JBL Go3 Portable Wireless Speaker that my wife uses to listen to her audio books. It’s easy to see JBL's proud lineage in the Authentics 300 home speaker, down to the quirky sound it makes when it powers on and off. I whole-heartedly recommend this speaker as a very high-quality product, and the top notch sound quality it produces is what I’ve come to expect from JBL.

Great sound and such a beautiful built. Would definitely recommend

This is a well built speaker and I really liked it because there’s so much going on with it. It got loud and was really clear highs!

Amazing all around sound that was loud, clean and crisp.

[Employee of bestbuy] Pretty good for its size, it has a distinct v shape sound but it's still a great speaker for most people.

This speaker is great for streaming music. Nice punchy bass and it fills a room with sound. With any bluetooth device ibstill find it a little tinny sounding even when adjusting EQ. We also linked it up to the tv for movies and it sounds pretty good. The only knock is that when plugging in a wired auxiliary there is a delay by about a second. Due to that I was not able to also use this as a portable guitar amp or a PA Speaker like i was hoping.

Sounds good. Expecting a little more for the price but I’ll keep it.

Great product, I recommend this speaker if you like great sound

Sound is good just not $450 good. The bottom passive radiator rattles everything on the table so you have to use it on a solid surface. Looks and build are amazing. Love how you can change the bass and treble from the top. Battery life is horrible maybe 3 hours on med level.

[Employee of bestbuy] Sounds amazing when it works. I had issues with cutting out via bluetooth connecting over wifi fixed the issue i’ve had the speaker for a couple months now however this morning it wasn’t turning on. Most likely a defective device i know it happens but ruined the speaker for me .

[Employee of bestbuy] This was a great speaker one if the best. I woulx recommend this

Convenient and good sound. Quality speaker by JBL.

Looks good but doesn’t sound good in my opinion. I thought the sound was thin. I didn’t turn it up over about 15% because the bass rattled like the coil was bad. With so many returns, i might have gotten something that someone else abused but it looked brand new. I have a Marshall Woburn III which sounds much better but only has Bluetooth and no battery. I also have a Marshall Middleton that sounds as good with less bass. I have a JBL Partybox 310 that sounds better. Anyway 3 stars because I might have gotten a lemon. I do feel that if you listen to music at a low volume sometimes that this might disappoint you.

[Employee of bestbuy] Very nice speaker, love the vintage look to it and all the cool features.

Great speaker amazing look add a nice touch to my room

[Employee of bestbuy] The Authentics line is the best of the best of JBL

Just what I was looking for, excellent sound quality, great design...

I like how it’s compatible with my smart home system.

In the realm of portable Bluetooth speakers, the JBL Authentics 300 stands as a beacon of excellence, merging form and function in a manner that is both rare and highly sought after. From the outset, the unboxing experience signals that this is no ordinary speaker; it's a testament to JBL's commitment to quality and aesthetic appeal. With its robust build and high-quality materials, the Authentics 300 not only feels premium but also looks the part, capable of enhancing the decor of any room. The initial setup is a breeze, with intuitive controls and a straightforward Bluetooth pairing process that allows for an immediate and seamless connection to your device. This ease of use extends to the integration of smart assistants like Alexa and Google, offering versatility in voice commands and streaming services. The auditory experience delivered by the JBL Authentics 300 is nothing short of spectacular. The sound quality is balanced, with crisp highs, clear mids, and deep, resonant bass that doesn't overpower. Whether you're enjoying rock, jazz, or pop, the speaker fills the room with rich, enveloping sound that's both satisfying and immersive. This is a speaker that doesn't just play music; it transforms listening into an experience, allowing for the discovery of nuances in your favorite tracks that you may have previously missed. The ability to adjust treble and bass manually adds a layer of customization to the audio output, ensuring that you can tailor the sound to your personal preference or the genre of music you're listening to. Practicality and portability are also key strengths of the Authentics 300. With a solid eight-hour battery life, it offers the freedom to enjoy high-quality sound without being tethered to a power outlet, whether you're moving it from room to room or taking it outdoors. The speaker's design, featuring a retro aesthetic with modern touches, ensures it doesn't just sound good but also looks good wherever it's placed. The speaker's performance in terms of sound quality, design, and functionality sets it apart from its peers. It's a versatile device that suits a wide range of uses, from enhancing home entertainment setups to serving as the centerpiece of any social gathering. The addition of smart assistant compatibility further enhances its utility, making it a multifunctional device that goes beyond mere music playback to assist with everyday tasks. In conclusion, the JBL Authentics 300 is a standout product in the crowded field of portable Bluetooth speakers. It strikes an impressive balance between beautiful design and exceptional sound quality, wrapped up in a user-friendly package. While it may come with a premium price tag, the investment is justified by its performance and versatility. Whether you're an audiophile seeking the perfect blend of aesthetics and audio or simply someone who appreciates good music delivered through a stylish device, the Authentics 300 is a purchase you're unlikely to regret. Its ability to elevate the listening experience while doubling as a decorative piece makes it a recommended addition to any home.