JBL Authentics Overview
Make your music sing with the new JBL Authentics speakers. From the small-scale Authentics 200 to the battery-powered Authentics 300, the sound is pure JBL. Or go all out on the Authentics 500 with a powered 6.5 subwoofer and Dolby Atmos Music.
Company History
In the world of audio reproduction, few names have the lineage that JBL has. Started in 1946 by James B Lansing, the then-named “James B Lansing Sound” was responsible for some of the most significant advancements in speaker technology. From their legendary D130 15” woofer, debuting in 1948, to the first titanium diaphragm compression drivers in 1979, JBL’s work in speaker design and engineering has influenced many brands and models in today’s market.
If you go to a live music event or movie theater, there is a good chance you will be listening to JBL speakers like the VTX Line Arrays or 5732 ScreenArray. In addition, JBL’s legendary M2 Studio Monitor has been a crucial part of some of the best studio albums produced today. JBL takes its knowledge of sound reinforcement and studio sound and engineers some of the most capable and dynamic speakers available today.
Design & Quality Build
Jaap Haartsen, the man responsible for inventing Bluetooth technology in the early 90s, said he never thought Bluetooth would grow into what it is today. What initially was a technology to connect peripherals to smartphones and computers is now the predominant transmission format for portable audio devices. Initially, Bluetooth had severely limited ability to transmit quality sound and provide audio format support. Over the years, work has continued narrowing the gap between wired and Bluetooth audio performance, making Bluetooth a viable audio format with performance much closer to a wired connection. Since the beginning, JBL has led small-profile speaker systems, giving users high-performance audio in a small, easy-to-live-with package.
JBL’s new Authentics line takes the compact speaker to another level by incorporating a new retro vibe and ups their game regarding driver quality and sound-enhancing features. While JBL’s Bluetooth speaker range has always been top-of-class in performance, they have mostly tailored the look of their products to a more party-oriented or “pool” speaker vibe. With these new speakers, JBL has delivered a more upscale product that will be taken seriously in any environment.
The all-aluminum frame, leather-like paneling, and reimagined Quadrex grill give these three models the classic JBL look that everyone knows and loves. However, JBL took it further by making these three models out of mostly recycled materials. With 100% recycled fabrics, 85% recycled plastic, and 50% recycled aluminum, JBL pledges to do more to help the environmental impact of manufacturing. The classic heritage look in a small, easy-to-use, and live-with package broadens JBL’s lineup of lifestyle products.
Features & Technology
The features that all three of these models share help set them apart in the lifestyle speaker space. These include built-in Bluetooth, WiFi, and ethernet connection ports. You can select which connection works best for the environment, whether you want a more permanent ethernet connection for reliable performance or WiFi or Bluetooth connection convenience. Back panel connections also include an auxiliary 3.5mm jack for any audio source to connect and a USB port for playback of music from a flash drive or if you choose to update the software through the port (software updates are automatic through ethernet or Wi-FI otherwise).
Automatic Self-Tuning is a noted feature on all three Authentics models, allowing these speakers to sound good in any environment. When the unit is powered up, the built-in calibration and optimizing systems will tune the speaker to perform best in any environment. There is no need to change equalizer settings or move the speaker around to get it to sound right. For those who still want to tailor the sound more toward your liking, each model has bass and treble controls on its top panel, a full-featured equalizer, and more settings on the JBL One app available for iPhone and Android.
The JBL One app allows you to control the settings of each Authentics model and set controls for using both Google Assistant and Alexa voice assistance. AirPlay, Alexa Multi-Room Music (MRM), Chromecast built-in™, or Spotify Connect are built in, and the ability to select each Authentics model from your chosen streaming app for audio output. JBL wanted these units to have a dedicated app to allow users the most trouble-free and intuitive experience possible.
With Multi-Room Playback, you can set multiple JBL Authentics speakers around your home, and with the Google Home or Amazon Alexa app, you can control each one and have a whole house playlist. This feature is invaluable for house parties or events when music is needed in every room.
JBL is very proud of its simultaneous voice assistant support, which allows users to utilize either Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. But taking it a step further, the Authentics speaker line allows these two voice assistants to work simultaneously, giving you all the smart home options anytime! This is great as it allows you to use Google Home and its smart controls simultaneously with Amazon Alexa devices. You can also choose which voice assistant you want to use anytime since both are equally adept at different tasks.
JBL Authentics Models
JBL Authentics 200
The JBL Authentics 200 is the smallest and least expensive of the Authentics line. But with 90 watts powering two 1” silk dome tweeters, one 5” full-range mid-woofer, and a 6” bottom-firing passive radiator, the sound is much larger than its small size. Measuring 10.48" x 6.76" x 6.59" and weighing only 6.88 lbs, the Authentics 200 will fit into any environment. It doesn’t have a built-in battery for portability like the Authentics 300 or the Virtual Dolby Atmos of the Authentics 500. The 200 has all the other features that make these speakers great. The Authentics 200 is more for someone who wants the sound that JBL is known for but in the smallest form factor possible. The frequency response is still a very respectable 50Hz-20kHz(-6dB).
JBL Authentics 300
The Authentics 300 is JBL's mid-sized model, better suited for someone looking for a fully functional but portable unit. With its added carry handle and internal battery, which can provide up to 8 hours of playtime, the Authentics 300 can go anywhere and sound good. The dimensions are still easy to transport: 13.46" x 7.7" x 7.1" and 10.8 lbs. The Authentics 300 has a 100-watt digital amplifier that powers 2 1” silk dome tweeters, one 5.25” mid-woofer, and a bottom-firing 6.5” passive radiator. This gives the Authentics 300 a broader frequency response from 45Hz - 20kHz(-6dB). Like the other two models, you can simply plug in the Authentics 300 at home or inside. But if you want JBL sound quality and power for your outside event or in an area without power, the Authentics 300 is the perfect solution.
JBL Authentics 500
The Authentics 500 is the flagship of the JBL Authentics line. With 270 watts of full system power, it is built to fill any space or situation with the legendary JBL sound. It does not have a battery like the Authentics 300. It is more designed for stationary use as it is a bit larger at 17.60" x 9.45" x 10.07", its weight is 17.20lbs. It features three horn-loaded 1” aluminum dome tweeters, three 2.7” high-excursion mid-woofers, and a 6.5” bottom-firing subwoofer with dual patented JBL Slipstream Ports. This increases the performance with a frequency response of 40Hz -20kHz(-6dB). But the show's star is the added Dolby Atmos® Music included in the system. This added feature promises to give your music more realism for a lifelike musical experience. The Authentics 500 could replace a full audio system for apartment dwellers or someone wanting this unit's convenience and simplicity.
Performance
We spent time with all three models and found that each fits well within its design goals. The Authentics 200 is a well-sized unit for people who want a small speaker for a small or medium-sized room or a product they can take when they travel. The Authentics 300 brought portability and battery power while being slightly more capable in the bass department. With its extreme portability, the 300 was the more versatile of the three and would make any music lover on the go happy. We had no problem filling even larger rooms with great sound, and the Automatic Self-Tuning that all three of these models share allows these speakers to sound right wherever they are placed. The Authentics 200 and 300 models sound alike, sharing the same tweeters and only marginally larger mid-woofers and radiator on the 300.
Playing Emiel Scholsberg’s 2017 album from Reference Recordings is a great album to test speaker systems, as the album was recorded live and has all the hallmarks of a great recording. In the song “My Funny Valentine,” the drum work is dynamic and detailed, and both the Authentics 200 and 300 allow these qualities to shine. Both of these units seemed more capable than their smaller size should allow; JBL nailed the design of these speakers, and Treble had the details there but presented them in a smooth and controlled fashion. Midrange had body and detail without being shouty, allowing instruments to shine without fatigue. The bass was very impressive for these small speakers. Bass drums had impact, and bass guitars and string instruments had detail without all of the boominess that some Bluetooth party speakers present.
Silk Sonics' 2021 album, An Evening With Silk Sonic, tests a speaker's drive and bass ability to bring the party. Songs like “Fly As Me” feature funk-inspired instrumentation and a bass drop that will test a speaker's ability to hold composure. The Authentics 200 and 300 brought the party. Considering these are not large drivers, we were surprised both speakers could produce these bass drops with decent authority. This is quite impressive for speakers, who also keep portability and multi-room use in their design. Most importantly, these models kept their composure at all reasonable volume levels with this harder-hitting music.
Moving on to the flagship JBL Authentics 500, we get more power and higher-quality drivers, which do pay dividends in performance. We were again impressed with the performance gains by playing the same tracks we played on the Authentics 200 and 300 models on the 500. The upgraded 1” aluminum tweeters and 2.7” midrange drivers allow even more clarity and detail to shine through. Even though there are more details, things remain smooth and listenable. Listening to the same Emiel Scholsberg “My Funny Valentine” song, we were left with a broader sense of scale and dynamics. The Dolby Atmos feature added more spaciousness and realism to the sound. Stereo imaging and soundstage also took a step in the performance. All three models in the Authentics line are all-in-one speakers, so imaging and soundstaging will not present like separate speakers, but with Dolby Atmos, the Authentics 500 improved this to some degree. We were impressed with the active 6.5” subwoofer ability on the Silk Sonics tracks. The combination of a quality bass driver and the SlipStream bass porting used in the 500 made The bass drops in the song “Fly As Me” much more authoritative and impactful. Again, the Authentics 200 and 300 are no slouch, but the powered bass section in the 500 improved bass detail and drive. Also, we felt like the volume ceiling on the 500 was higher without any worry about distortion. All in all, the Authentics 500 showed us that JBL took these speakers' performance seriously, as shown in our assessment.
Overall Recommendation
Seeing the amount of competition in the lifestyle audio space, we feel that the JBL Authentics line adds a good mix of features, portability, simplicity, and connectivity to this line. The JBL Authentics lineup of speakers also has the JBL pedigree for top-end audio performance. Using each of these models within their design specifications is a very rewarding way to enjoy your music. Whether you need the Authentics 200 for a smaller room or when space is critical, or you want the battery-powered portability of the Authentics 300, each model excels at their perspective use case. Or if you want the best performance in the line, the Authentics 500 will give larger rooms and music lovers interested in more realism and impact something to celebrate. We recommend all three JBL Authentics models as they deliver true JBL sound in a robust but space-saving package.
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