Verdict
A merriment , loud , and bassy wireless speaker . If you ’re concerned in having a fun time , the JBL Authentics 300 proffer plenty of that .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
TheAuthentics range of speakerscalls back to JBL ’s history – a retro - looking verbaliser with modern feature .
The Authentics 300 sits in the heart of the compass , leaving out the Dolby Atmos sound of the flagship Authentics 500 but integrating a handle for portable use as well as boasting construct - in 8 - hour battery life .
The range offer several selection to supply to those who require a house experience or a portable one , and the Authentics 300 might just volunteer the best of both worlds .
Design
The Authentics 300 looks big , is big , and tips the scale at 4.49 kg . Let ’s be grateful for the grip as this speaker would be a pain to lug about the house if it did n’t have one . Though it fall with that handle there ’s no mention of an IP paygrade , so if you do want to take out of doors , check that it ’s on a clear and sunny day .
The aesthetics withdraw JBL speaker system from past times with its Quadrex grille on the front , as well as its bleak and gold stylings . It ’s a classifiable look and will fascinate the eye of anyone who walks into a room .
On top of the talker are circular dial for controlling volume , treble and bass part , all of which are very overnice and politic to operate . There ’s a light with each telephone dial that shows how much you ’ve increase or decreased it – I like that visual feedback .
In between are release for saving play list , enabling Bluetooth connectivity , and powering the verbalizer . Around the hindquarters is a switch for turning the microphones on or off in a similar fashion to theSonos Eraspeakers , and below are Ethernet , Aux and USB - C ports . The US version of the loudspeaker system has USB playback .
Features
JBL has pulled a neat trick with its Authentics range as you get a choice of Google and Alexa vocalism help – you’re able to set up both and switch between them simultaneously . I do n’t mean I ’ve see that feature implemented before .
And interaction with voice supporter is deal - innocent , so all you have to do is say the ‘ Hey Google ’ or Alexa wake - up words , and away they go .
There is Wi - Fi and Bluetooth support , and through Wi - Fi there’sSpotify Connect , Google Cast and Alexa Multi - Room Music to fling audio to the machine . Set - up through Google Home is breezy and gets the Authentics 300 up to speed within a few minutes . you’re able to change over immediately from Wi - Fi to a Bluetooth connexion but not vice versa ( or at least that has n’t been the typesetter’s case for me ) .
The Authentics 300 can be plugged into the mains via the mightiness cable , or you may take it around the firm thanks to its built - in rechargeable battery , which is adept enough for eight hours accord to JBL . Via the USB - atomic number 6 port you could even accuse another twist , turn the Authentics 300 into a powerbank .
The Authentics 300 support the JBL One app , and through it , you’re able to set up Alexa voice ascendance , create a stereophony duet , correct the EQ , supervise battery spirit , control and stream music direct from the app .
The likes of Tidal , Qobuzand Amazon Music are supported by logging in and accessing your music depository library . If you ’ve get multiple streaming service , it saves you from ingest to jump in and out of several apps .
you could also sort out whether the speaker automatically reconnects to a Bluetooth connection and enable a battery saving mode that optimize volume and bass output . There ’s no room - tune up a la Sonos Trueplay , but there are treble and bass adjustments you’re able to pick off .
There ’s also the Moments feature . This is something I first spot on theCharge 5 Wi - Fispeaker , and it ’s a button you may assign your favourite lead , playlist or radiocommunication post to with a tap of a release . guess of it as a bookmark push button .
Sound Quality
The JBL Authentics 300 has that same JBL go present across a phone number of its products . The output is fluid and furnished with solid story of detail , though it lacks a stage of sharpness . Regardless , there ’s an accent on bass weight with this talker that make for an gratifying sound .
While there ’s a sense of zing it ’s on a humble scale than a large one . Like a turn of wireless speaker system , the soundstage does n’t sense extensive than the speaker itself but for the most part it does n’t palpate cramped in size for the most part . However , when playing complex tracks it does sense as if the JBL does n’t have the stage of detail and lucidity to sieve through it giving the impression of being hem in .
The bass weight is impregnable in a cart track such as Bittersweet , but it does n’t strike the clarity or definition of Lianne La Havas ’ voice in the strain . It ’s the type of top executive and depth in the crushed frequency that ’s declamatory enough to send vibrations through the table thanks to the downwards - firing porthole . There ’s a robustness and beefiness to the bass that serves the Authentics 300 well as a party speaker .
Streaming Lily of the Nile record album from Qobuz and it ’s clear that while the levels of clarity are estimable , they ’re not as in high spirits as that of the Audio Pro C20 or Sonos Five . Then again , those are more expensive speakers .
It depict tracks with vigour but the speaker does finger as if it could be sharp and more defined . With the volume turned up , there ’s less particular to be obtain and when the book is turn down it ’s not a particularly interesting listen either . This is n’t a loudspeaker system that scale quite as well as others in term of mass . It gets loud at about 30 % mass and I would n’t even want to go beyond 50 % – at that point the neighbours might start knocking .
Its Bluetooth carrying into action has a similar part to its Wi - Fi output but with a dip in overall clarity . clearness with vocals is secure but it ’s not the most elaborated execution , with more smoothness and a bigger emphasis on bass than is present in its Wi - Fi performance .
All that said , I like the sound of the Authentics 300 . There ’s a unassailable sense of freshwater bass to its sound , with mass of powerfulness and sweep to those low frequencies that nominate for an exciting listen . As long as you ’re not look for the most tasteful and detailed audio , the JBL Authentics 300 is another speaker to put squarely in the class of fun .
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Should you buy it?
It ’s not the most refined performance but the Authentics 300 does swap in fun with a capital F.
The Authentics shares the same sonic traits as the Authentics 500 , so it could sound clearer and more detailed
Final Thoughts
Like the largerJBL Authentics 500,the Authentics 300 is built for power and freshwater bass . It ’s a little lacking in detail and pellucidity but it does offer a play time .
The double voice ascendency is a neat whoremaster , as is support for both Wi - Fi and Bluetooth streaming . It looks outstanding too thanks to its retro aesthetics , and the portability it offer is welcome .
There are n’t many speaker system around the JBL ’s damage spot that offer the features it does . If this critique has sparked an interest in what it bid , the Authentics 300 is well worth moot .
Trusted Score
How we test
We screen every wireless verbaliser we review thoroughly over an extended stop of time . We apply industry standard tests to compare lineament properly . We ’ll always secern you what we find . We never , ever , accept money to go over a product .
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FAQs
Only the Authentics 500 stomach Dolby Atmos strait in JBL ’s Authentics range .
