![]() 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). Audio adjustments also seemed to have a noticeable delay in testing. The nonadjustable fade-out setting for the lighting is gradual, so it's difficult to see their exact level. 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. Although these controls cover everything, the knobs look a little plasticky and out of step with all the speaker's premium design touches. 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. Of course, this is really just an issue if you are playing intense bass at high volumes. 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. ![]() 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. 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. For comparison, both the $299 Apple HomePod (2nd Generation) and Sonos Era 300 speakers offer multi-channel Dolby Atmos playback. The Authentics 300 speaker does not support Dolby Atmos. AirPlay, Alexa Multi-Room Music (MRM), Chromecast, and Spotify Connect are all also available, though Google Fast Pair is not. Streaming audio over Wi-Fi is the main use case here, so the lackluster codec option isn't too big a deal. 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. A downward-firing 6.5-inch passive radiator adds some rumble and depth to the audio. The handle, which also has classy stitched edges, swivels backward out of view when not in use.īehind the front grille, dual 25mm tweeters and a 5.25-inch woofer deliver a frequency range of 45Hz to 20kHz, combining for 100 watts. This color and material combo is somewhat reminiscent of recent Marshall speakers like the Stanmore III. The handle, along with the side and top panels, features a black, faux-leather grain lining, while the frame has gold-tinted metallic accents. 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. 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. ![]() 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. The speaker also gets intensely loud and produces rich, full-bodied lows that bass lovers should enjoy. With the Authentics 300 multiroom speaker ($449.99), JBL combines old-school design elements with modern connectivity features, such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
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