Several companies have attacked Sonos over the years when it comes to multi-room audio and self-tuning speakers with built-in voice assistants. These devices are much more common in 2023 than they used to be, so there are plenty of options if you’re looking for alternatives to the Move or Era. JBL is the latest to try it with new additions to its catalog. While audio may be their primary use, these devices are the first to run two voice assistants simultaneously without having to switch between them. and in the ($450), you get a portable unit that doesn’t have to stay parked on a shelf.
Design
Most JBL wireless speakers fall into three categories. They are sturdy and compact modern looking boomboxes or party units with internal lighting. For this new Authentics series, the company opted for a more refined design: all black with a gold frame around the front speaker grille. Without a doubt, it is an aesthetic that fits very well on a shelf, without the of some of the company’s smaller options. All three Authentics speakers look almost exactly the same and the main difference is size, although the 300 has a boombox-like rotating handle, the other two do not. This is because it is the only portable option in the range with a built-in battery.
JBL describes the Authentics look as “retro,” but I’m not sure I agree. Sure, there’s a classic vibe thanks to the ’70s-inspired Quadrex grille the company has employed in the past, but the finer details and onboard controls are decidedly modern. Speaking of controls, at the top you’ll find volume, treble, and bass buttons that light up the level as you turn them. Pressing in the center of the volume dial gives you playback controls. There are also Bluetooth, power, and Moment buttons along with a slim light bar that indicates charging status when the speaker is plugged in. On the back is a microphone mute switch, along with Ethernet, 3.5mm auxiliary, USB-C, and power ports.
Software and features
Authentics speaker features and settings are managed within the JBL One app. Here, you’ll receive a list of the company’s products you own, as well as their connection status, battery level, and any media playing on the device. device. After selecting the Authentics 300, JBL takes you into the details, with the battery level again visible at the top. Just below it is a media player, complete with the ability to sync Amazon Music, Tidal, Napster, Qobuz, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, and Calm Radio so you can play them directly within this app.
JBL offers limited customization of the equalizer. There is a manual slider with options for bass, mids and treble, but that’s about it. You won’t find carefully tuned presets or the ability to make more detailed adjustments along the curve. To quickly access your songs, JBL offers a feature called Moment. Accessible via the heart button on the speaker, this allows you to save a favorite album or playlist from the app’s list of compatible streaming services. You can also specify the volume and sleep time during setup.
Finally, a few words about streaming music over Wi-Fi. The Authentics line supports a variety of options here, including AirPlay, Chromecast, Alexa, Spotify Connect, and Tidal Connect, all of which are more convenient than swiping into the Bluetooth menu and pairing the speaker every time you use it. With Wi-Fi, playing music on Authentics devices is just a couple of taps away within the app where you browse and select music or podcasts. The speakers also support multi-room audio through AirPlay, Alexa, and the Google Home app.
Double assistant, double fun
JBL says the Authentics series is the first set of speakers to run two voice assistants simultaneously. Each of the three units can use both Alexa and Google Assistant without you having to choose one or the other beforehand. This opens up availability on compatible smart home devices and means your choice of speakers isn’t as limited by your go-to assistant.
The speaker never had trouble hearing my orders and didn’t confuse a query for one attendee with a question for the other. When you ask Google Assistant for help, a white light displays at the top center of the speaker grill. Summon Alexa and that LED will glow blue until your conversation ends. When you mute the microphones with the switch on the back of the 300, that light turns red and stays until you turn them back on. As is the case with any smart speaker, the limitations of voice commands are general obstacles of the assistants themselves and not shortcomings of the speaker.
Sound quality
The Authentics 300 really shines with softer, more relaxed music like jazz, bluegrass, and acoustic country. There is a warm, welcoming sound with great clarity in all of those styles. When you jump to the band’s total metal and hardcore chaos, or even the heavy but mellifluous tones of Chris Stapleton’s guitar, the speaker tuning overemphasizes the vocals and the lack of bass hits creates a sound shady general.
Sure, you can boost the bass with the physical controls or the EQ in the app, but that doesn’t add the kind of deep bass that would open up the soundstage. Improves the overall tuning of albums like Stapleton’s. Higher, but there’s still an overemphasis on vocals. You can really hear the impact in The Killer’s. rebel diamonds while Brandon Flowers almost completely drowns out the backing synth on “Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine” from Hot fuss.
However, sometimes the Authentics 300 is a pleasure to listen to. Put on some Miles Davis and the speaker will be at his best. The same goes for the bluegrass of Nickel Creek, the smooth country melodies of Charles Wesley Godwin, and the classic Christmas mixes. However, the inconsistency between styles is frustrating. Interestingly, JBL says the Authentics speakers offer automatic auto-tuning every time you turn them on, but I didn’t notice much of a difference when I moved the 300 around.
Battery duration
JBL says the Authentics 300 will last up to eight hours on a charge. Within two minutes of disconnecting, the JBL One app already had the battery level down two percent while playing music via AirPlay 2, at about 30 percent volume. It may seem like a low level, but it is good for “working the music” on this speaker. After 30 minutes, the app was showing 88 percent, but things slowed down and I managed to still have 24 percent left when the eight hours were up. During a test with Bluetooth, the percentages dropped similarly, but I had no problem hitting eight hours at 50 percent volume (Bluetooth was quieter than AirPlay at 30 percent).
JBL offers a battery saver mode to help you maximize playback time when you’re away from home. This setting “optimizes” both volume and bass to extend battery life, according to the company. There is also an optional auto-off feature that activates after 15 minutes, 30 minutes or an hour when you are not connected to power and audio is no longer playing.
The competition
JBL offers two alternatives to the Authentics 300 within the same range of speakers. The smaller Authentics 200 ($350) is more compact, but not portable, while the larger 500 ($700) is a Dolby Atmos-compatible hi-fi unit. Both still run two voice assistants at the same time and have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, along with everything else the Authentics line offers. To support that immersive audio, the Authentics 500 has more drivers than the other two, with three 25mm tweeters, three 2.75-inch midranges, and a 6.5-inch subwoofer. I’m looking forward to seeing if the additional components and added 170 watts of output power improve the sound quality, but it only has a slightly lower frequency response than the 300 (40Hz vs. 45Hz).
If you’re looking for something portable that can also do double duty at home, it’s a solid choice. It’s too big to carry around easily, but it supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi along with improved sound and longer battery life compared to version 1.0. There’s also surprising volume and a durable design. What’s more, it has the same price as the Authentics 300: $449. For something more stationary and immersive, you can get it without paying extra. My colleague Nathan Ingraham noted this unit’s excellent sound quality during his review, but found inconsistent performance when it came to spatial audio. There is also no support for Google Assistant on this model.
Wrap
When I try to reach a final verdict on the , I find myself running in circles. For every thing I like about the speaker, there is immediately something I don’t like. The company certainly deserves some praise for being the first to run two assistants at the same time and for figuring out how to do it without confusion or headaches. However, inconsistent sound quality is a major issue, especially on a $450 speaker. And while the device offers better battery life than advertised, its larger size makes portability an issue. So unless absolutely need To seamlessly switch between Alexa and Google Assistant, there are better-sounding options.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/jbl-authentics-300-review-alexa-and-google-assistant-coexisting-190036434.html?src=rss
