JBL Authentics 300 sensible speaker overview: two assistants directly

JBL’s Authentics line of sensible audio system is the primary to help Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa working concurrently on the identical audio machine. Sure, it in some way took till only recently for that to occur. However when you’ve acquired a break up sensible house — or favor utilizing Assistant for common questions and Alexa for controlling devices — these audio system can try this. It’s a novel promoting level that no different firm can (but) match, although it’s additionally pretty area of interest.

I’ve been testing the middle-tier Authentics 300 for a number of weeks now, and fortunately, the twin assistant trick isn’t the one factor going for it. It presents loads of connectivity choices, dials for EQ changes on the speaker itself, and a ’70s-style vibe. Plus, that is the one Authentics speaker with a built-in battery, so you may take it on the transfer. However there are clear drawbacks as effectively, led by the unit’s $449.99 MSRP, inconsistent sound tuning, and its lack of safety in opposition to the weather. 

I’m a fan of retro-style audio system, and JBL largely hits the mark with the Authentics 300. The black fake leather-based design has gold accents, which I discover to be a tasteful combo that doesn’t go overboard or veer into gaudy territory. And the patterned acoustic material on the entrance provides the speaker a traditional look head-on that appears proper at house on any shelf. Additionally, contemplating the giant-size brand that JBL usually stamps onto its Bluetooth audio system, I respect the restraint proven right here with a small emblem within the decrease left of the 300’s face.

Weighing almost 11 kilos, the Authentics 300 is a hefty sucker. It’s removed from small at 13.5 inches extensive. This factor is a far cry from JBL’s mainstream Bluetooth audio system. However there’s at the very least a built-in carrying deal with that makes the 300 simpler to maneuver round the home. Contained in the housing are a pair of 25-millimeter tweeters and a single 5.25-inch woofer. For those who look on the speaker’s underside, you may’t miss the downward-firing passive radiator that’s supposed to maximise the speaker’s bass response. There’s no Dolby Atmos or spatial audio help to be discovered right here; you’ve acquired to shell out for the flagship Authentics 500 if you’d like that.

Up prime are the controls: energy; a Bluetooth button for pairing; and a coronary heart button you could assign to set off a selected playlist from any music service that’s built-in with JBL’s cellular app. Sadly, Apple Music and Spotify aren’t amongst these, however you may nonetheless stream these providers to the 300 straight over AirPlay or by casting on Android. I like to recommend doing this each time attainable as a result of, over Bluetooth, the Authentics 300 is restricted to the bottom SBC codec, a disappointment at this value tier.

The quantity knob on the left doubles as a multifunction button when pressed — as soon as to play / pause, twice to skip tracks, and 3 times to return — and there are treble and bass dials to the correct. Every of those dials is surrounded by an LED that makes for a simple visible illustration of what stage you’re at present at. Round again, there’s a 3.5mm aux enter (we like to see it), ethernet, a USB-C enter that helps MP3 and WAV recordsdata from connected arduous drives, and a figure-8 energy connector. Final however not least, for the privacy-minded on the market, you’ll discover a bodily swap for disabling the speaker’s built-in microphones.

In order that’s the {hardware} format, however clearly, an enormous element of the Authentics 300 is JBL’s software program. I’m happy to report that the companion cellular app is mostly simple to make use of. The three-band EQ leaves some room for enchancment, nevertheless — I’d have most popular extra granular management over the sound for such a premium unit. I skilled no points with establishing each Alexa and Google Assistant on the machine, and as soon as I did, voice instructions labored comparatively seamlessly. It’s attainable to journey the 300 up a bit — like when you play a tune with one voice helper after which ask the opposite for particulars on the present monitor — however you’re solely prone to encounter these edge circumstances when you go in search of them. In on a regular basis use, the pair labored refreshingly effectively, with the speaker shortly responding to the activation phrase for both one. I by no means bumped into any noticeable bugs or freezes, so the framework of no matter JBL is doing right here appears to be robust. Hopefully, we’ll see different speaker makers observe the corporate’s lead earlier than lengthy.

You’d anticipate very spectacular audio high quality for the Authentics 300’s asking value, and I’d say about 75 % of the time, that’s what you’ll get. In my testing thus far, this speaker has excelled at acoustic-driven music, jazz, and classical playback. There’s a pleasant, perceptible heat to it that matches the classic styling, and the element and readability are top-notch. The 300 has a number of presence that’s sufficient to envelope any moderately sized room. You’ve acquired a 100-watt amp to work with, so this factor may also go impressively loud with out distortion or audible pressure. At these upper-tier quantity ranges, it outpaces different audio system I’ve lately reviewed just like the Sonos Transfer 2 and UE Epicboom, nevertheless it’s not fairly on par with the Sonos 5 throughout the frequency vary.

It felt like, sometimes in any playlist, I’d land on a monitor that wasn’t the correct match for JBL’s tuning. I’ve not often complained about vocals being too pronounced on a speaker, however one thing concerning the 300’s tuning could make them lower by way of the combination greater than I’d favor, particularly on rock tracks. I typically left the 300’s EQ alone, however the dials make it handy to experiment with totally different quantities of high-end sparkle and bass from tune to tune. They’re not sufficient to unravel for these random songs the place the Authentics 300 isn’t at its finest, although. General, this unit is a giant lower above JBL’s moveable audio system. You may technically use this portably as effectively; I discovered JBL’s eight-hour battery estimate to be proper on the cash. Simply do not forget that the Authentics 300 lacks any sort of mud or water resistance ranking, so that you’ll solely wish to convey it outdoors throughout good climate. 

This speaker, and the others in JBL’s Authentics line, mark a giant second for voice assistant concord. However for so long as it took to get right here, it appears unlikely that JBL will have the ability to declare this two-asisstants-at-once function as an unique perk for very lengthy. Whenever you price the Authentics 300 in different methods, it’s a really succesful speaker with an amazing look that offers you loads of performance and a number of other strategies of enjoying music, be it over Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or plugged in through the aux jack or USB-C. The worth is hard to swallow on this one, nevertheless. At publish time, the Authentics 300 is on sale for $350. That strikes me as extra applicable for what you’re getting in return — particularly when you’ve discovered your self caught in a break up, chaotic sensible house life.

Images by Chris Welch / The Verge