JBL has announced a new line of smart wireless speakers, which feature the company’s iconic waffle grille made popular in the JBL L100 loudspeaker during the 1970s. JBL’s new Authentics line arrives in three sizes that get bigger and more expensive as the model numbers increase:
Although we’d expect the larger models to deliver fuller sound, there a few differences to be aware of. Only the middle sized model (Authentics 300) has a built-in battery for portable use. Otherwise they can all be used in the home when connected to power. All support Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity and work with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice interactivity. Only the largest model (Authentics 500) offers virtual Dolby Atmos.
JBL Heritage
The JBL Authentics range draws on JBL’s rich history with a modern twist. With a premium aluminium frame, custom synthetic leather-wrapped enclosure and a reimagined Quadrex grille, the JBL Authentics range is designed to make a statement.
“The heritage of our brand has always been important to us and the JBL Authentics encompasses everything that we thrive to achieve at JBL.” said Carsten Olesen, President of Consumer Audio, HARMAN Lifestyle Division. “We’re living in an interesting era where ‘newstalgia’ is on the rise. The JBL Authentics plays on our iconic past with its retro design whilst delivering the superior sound that our customers have come to love and expect. Modern innovations such as Dolby Atmos and simultaneous voice assistants meet the retro and reimagined Quadrex grille design to deliver a speaker range that is ready for the future of audio.”
Modern Features
Easily set up the speakers and browse integrated music services to find new songs and artists through the JBL One app. With the app’s fully customizable EQ settings, you can fully personalize your listening experience. In addition, automatic self-tuning claims to calibrate and adapt audio performance whenever the speaker is switched on, so you can sit back and relax knowing the sound will be optimized, no matter where you place the speaker.
Place multiple JBL Authentics speakers throughout your home and set a different mood in every room. Or connect two or more to play a single playlist to get everybody enjoying the same music. AirPlay, Alexa Multi-Room Music (MRM), Spotify Connect, and Chromecast built-in are all supported.
JBL Authentics is made from 100% recycled fabric, 85% recycled plastic and 50% recycled aluminium and is available in Black beginning September 17th on JBL.com in packaging made from FSC-certified paper and printed with soy ink.
Comparison
| JBL Authentics 500 | JBL Authentics 300 | JBL Authentics 200 | |
| System | 3.1 | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| Transducer | 3 x 25mm Al dome tweeter 3 x 2.75” midrange 6.5” subwoofer | 2 x 25mm tweeter 5.25” woofer | 2 x 25mm tweeter 5” woofer |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | No | No |
| Simultaneous voice assistants | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| JBL One App | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-room playback | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic self-tuning | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth, Wi-Fi & Ethernet connection | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | No | Yes – consumer replaceable (8 hours) | No |
| Quadrex grille and retro design | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dimension (HxWxD) | 17.60” x 9.45” x 10.07” (447 x 240 x 255.7 mm) | 13.46” x 7.7” x 7.1” (342 x 195.6 x 180.3 mm) | 10.48” x 6.76” x 6.59” (266.3 x 171.7 x 167.4 mm) |
| Weight | 17.20 lbs (7.8 kg) | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) | 6.88 lbs (3.12 kg) |
| Availability | September 17th | September 17th | September 17th |
| Pricing | $699.99 | $449.99 | $349.99 |
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Victor
September 4, 2023 at 7:38 pm
surely the weight specs are reversed
Brian Mitchell
September 5, 2023 at 6:25 pm
Good catch! Now fixed.