JBL Authentics 300 Review: An Effortlessly Vintage All-In-One Speaker
JBL Authentics 300 Review: An Effortlessly Vintage All-In-One Speaker
For such a high price,
this speaker produces exceptional sound
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
The JBL Authentics 300 speaker stands out from other speakers on the market thanks to its exquisite retro design and excellent audio quality.
• It has two built-in voice assistants (Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant) that are interchangeable, making it convenient and simple to use.
• The Authentics 300 speaker's metal handle, built-in rechargeable battery, and leather-like enclosure let you listen to music anywhere in your house—from the kitchen to the bedroom..
You can purchase several speakers to meet your varied audio
requirements for $450, or you can put all your eggs in the JBL Authentics 300
speaker basket. For use outside the house, it has Bluetooth and a battery, and
for use indoors, Wi-Fi. It also allows you to use multiple voice assistants
simultaneously! The striking black and gold retro design of this DIY speaker is
perhaps the strongest argument in favor of taking a chance on it.
Nothing Is Ever Hurt by Making a Speaker Look Good
Although it looks amazing, I'm not sure if a speaker covered in leather is a good idea for portability. When comparing multiple speakers side by side, the puffy grill and gold accents really make a difference. Additionally, the speaker appeared to be well-assembled.
A few beautiful-looking but possibly not the most functional
physical controls are located on top. There was no clear definition for the
indicator lights that encircle each twist knob to show its level. It was
difficult to determine where the light level should be if I wanted to, say, set
the volume to 50%. Thevolume
light operated in the same manner..
Although I enjoyed the twisting volume knob, I found it
difficult to determine whether the level was at 20% or 50%.
Through Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or a Wire, the Sound Is Excellent
Although the $450 price tag of the Authentics may seem high, its sound quality alone may be worth it. Two 25mm tweeters and a 5.25-inch mid-range woofer are located behind the front grill. There is a 6.5-inch passive radiator beneath the unit. The sound produced by the drivers combined is incredibly deep and rich.
The rich mid-range of the folk music I listened to accentuated the acoustic guitars and delicate vocals. During the chorus of "The Blue" by Gracie Abrams, for instance, the range of sounds was surprisingly broad. She was still able to hear and clearly deliver her vocals over the deep, rumbling bass. Items on the same surface as the speaker were rattled by Terrace Martin & Alex Isley's song "Paradise." It was possible to achieve every one of the speaker's amazing features without having to turn up the volume past 50%. Even when the volume was increased, the overall quality of the sound was maintained.While streaming music via AirPlay, I did notice a slight wonkiness with the volume levels; however, this seems to be more of an issue with Apple's iOS 17 software than with JBL's hardware. Compared to Wi-Fi, I never experienced random variations in the volume while streaming via Bluetooth, though I have occasionally witnessed it occur on speakers that are not JBL.
The results of directly comparing the Sonos Authentics 300 with the Move 2 were somewhat embarrassing for the company's most recent speaker. When comparing song after song, JBL's offering was just superior in every way. Although the Authentics 300 is obviously physically larger, the retail price of both speakers is $450.To put it simply, I had a great time listening to music on the JBL Authentics 300.
Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa Are Available Together
Alexa and Google Assistant are supported by JBL's Authentics speaker line, and they can be used in tandem. This implies that you can ask Google to complete a task after Alexa starts it.It performed as promised. In many respects, it is undoubtedly innovative, but in actual use, it is a little dull. It was very simple to use and probably ought to have been accessible on more speakers earlier. Of course, if you try hard enough, you can trip it up, but nothing alarming happened to me.Furthermore, the Authentics 300 could obey commands whether it was running on battery power or plugged into a wall.
Whether many people use multiple assistants in their homes is my biggest question. Although many households may have a variety of gadgets, is a single device with two interchangeable assistants really that appealing? It would be an amazing magic trick if JBL could incorporate Siri into the mix. However, the fact that this speaker has Google Assistant access rather than the Sonos Move 2 could persuade users to choose JBL's product.
There's Just Enough Battery Life
Depending on volume level, JBL claims a battery life of up to eight hours. This implies that it falls under the Sonos Move 2's battery life claim of 24 hours.During my testing, the Authentics 300 provided information regarding its estimated battery life. Even though I had hoped it would last longer, I still felt that it was within a reasonable time frame.You shouldn't use the Authentics 300 as your park or beach speaker, I think. Living indoors is more appropriate for its exterior. In addition, you'll need to locate a wall outlet and have the AC power cord in case the battery does die.
The largest power issue I encountered was with the power cord. This kind of AC power cable is awkward. Actually, USB-C should be used to charge this speaker. It was not good to wiggle the cord into the speaker's back and then have to pull it firmly to get it out. It's yet another proof that the main purpose of this device's design was to be portable within the home.
The JBL One App Needs Improvement, but It's a Start
After connecting the speaker to your Wi-Fi network, the JBL One app—available for iPhone and Android—isn't strictly necessary, but it does have some useful features. It will primarily guide you through the use of Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. Additionally, it demonstrates how to use Chromecast, Apple AirPlay, Spotify Connect, and Tidal ConnectYou can use the Moment app to set the shortcut heart button on the speaker, but doing so requires connecting it to one of the integrated music services. These consist of iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Calm Radio, Amazon Music, Napster, Qobuz, and Tidal. If you make use of any of those services, it's merely a more straightforward method of selecting music for your queue
An EQ with three bands is available. Crucially, in the event that someone adjusts the knobs on the speaker itself, you can use the app to reset the bass and treble EQ.With the JBL One app, I had fun. The fact that it displayed how many hours I had spent listening to music was neat. Regretfully, it was also mediocre in many other aspects. I was unable to get a real-time update on the battery level. The app would frequently not show the current battery level until I would close and reopen it. What's up with the battery level only showing in 10-percent increments, as well? This implies that, for example, you will see a 40�ttery level before it abruptly drops to 30%.That might be startling and interfere with your plans for how and when to charge the device.
Do You Want to Purchase the JBL Authentics 300?
The JBL Authentics 300 speaker's tale is one of numerous small setbacks that are fortunately eclipsed by a few enormous successes. The fact that it sounds and looks fantastic is crucial for a speaker. The speaker continued to do what it does well in spite of its less-than-ideal battery life, inaccurate knob indicators, and subpar app features.When comparing products, the Authentics 300 and the Sonos Move 2 are likely the top options for consumers.
With an extended battery life and a more compact and lightweight design, the Move 2 also includes an induction charger. The Move 2 is undoubtedly a better option if carrying it around is your main motivation for purchasing a portable speaker. The Authentics 300 can be the best option for you if you prefer portability but the speaker will mostly be stationary.
The Authentics 300 boasts a grand, raucous sound, an exquisite design, and compatibility for numerous platforms and services. It may not be the most mobile, but it can stand up when necessary.
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