The JBL Authentics 500 and Sonos Era 300 are powerful home speakers that are designed with Dolby Atmos integration for cinematic surround sound performance in any living room setting. The Authentics 500 is designed primarily as a standalone speaker for easy music listening, while the Sonos Era 300 is designed as a speaker meant to be part of a home theater system (for example, 2 X Sonos Era 300 speakers for front left and right, plus a Sonos subwoofer). To cut the long story short, if you are going for a standalone speaker setup I would prefer the JBL Authentics 500 as it has tremendous power output with Dolby Atmos. If you are looking to setup a home theater system, the Sonos Era 300 would be a better option to integrate with other Sonos speakers such as the Sonos Sub 4 for a full cinematic experience.
The Authentics 500 is capable of delivering powerful sound performance with its 270W amplifier and three-way speaker setup, including a down-firing 6.5-inch subwoofer. In contrast, the Sonos Era 300 offers a more modern aesthetic and emphasizes spatial audio capabilities, providing a better soundstage performance. While both speakers support built-in voice assistants, the Sonos Era 300 integrates seamlessly with existing Sonos systems, making it an attractive choice for users already within the Sonos ecosystem. On the other hand, the JBL Authentics 500’s higher power output may appeal to those seeking a more robust audio experience.
Specs Comparison
The Authentics 500 showcases a retro-inspired aesthetic, featuring a premium aluminum frame, custom leather-like enclosure, and a reimagined Quadrex grille which gives it a retro vintage vibe. In contrast, the Sonos Era 300 has a modern, hourglass-shaped design, available in matte black and matte white finishes which aims for a modern contemporary look.
In terms of audio specs, the Authentics 500 delivers a powerful sound experience with its 270W output, utilizing three 1-inch tweeters, three 2.75-inch midrange drivers, and a 6.5-inch down-firing subwoofer. This configuration supports Dolby Atmos, providing immersive 3D sound. On the other hand, the Sonos Era 300 is equipped with six drivers: four tweeters (one forward-firing, two side-firing, one upward-firing) and two woofers angled left and right for stereo playback. This setup also supports spatial audio with Dolby Atmos which delivers a wide and immersive soundstage.
Regarding connectivity, both speakers offer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities. The Authentics 500 includes built-in voice assistants, such as Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, providing hands-free control. The Sonos Era 300 supports Sonos Voice Control and Amazon Alexa, and it also features a USB-C line-in for connecting external audio sources, though an adapter is required. In summary, the JBL Authentics 500 appeals to those who appreciate a vintage design with high power output, while the Sonos Era 300 caters to users seeking a modern aesthetic with versatile connectivity options and a focus on spatial audio.
Table Comparison
Feature | JBL Authentics 500 | Sonos Era 300 |
Output Power | 270W RMS total output. – 3 x 1-inch tweeters – 3 x 2.75-inch midrange drivers – 1 x 6.5-inch down-firing subwoofer | Not specified. – 4 x tweeters (1 forward-firing, 2 side-firing, 1 upward-firing) – 2 x woofers (angled left and right for stereo playback) |
Frequency Response | Not specified | Not specified |
Audio Technology | Dolby Atmos Music | Spatial audio with Dolby Atmos |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C line-in (adapter required) |
Voice Assistants | Built-in Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa | Sonos Voice Control and Amazon Alexa |
Dimensions (H x W x D) | 234 x 374 x 200 mm | 160 x 260 x 185 mm |
Weight | 7.8 kg | 4.47 kg |
Design | Retro-inspired with premium aluminum frame, custom leather-like enclosure, and reimagined Quadrex grille | Modern hourglass shape available in matte black and matte white finishes |
Additional Features | Automatic self-calibration, made with recycled materials | Trueplay tuning, adjustable EQ, stereo pairing, compatible with Sonos Arc or Beam for surround sound |
In summary, the JBL Authentics 500 offers a higher specified output power and a retro design and is designed primarily as a standalone speaker. The Sonos Era 300, while not specifying total output power, focuses on spatial audio with Dolby Atmos and offers a modern design, but is designed to be part of a sound system (with its angled woofers and tweeters) for home theater.
Sound Comparison
During my listening tests, I played “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen on both speakers. The Authentics 500 delivered the track with impressive clarity and depth; the vocals were crisp, and the instrument separation was notable. The bass response was solid, adding a satisfying depth to the overall sound. Switching to the Era 300, the same track exhibited a wider soundstage; the spatial audio capabilities of the speaker provided a more enveloping experience, making it feel as though the music surrounded me. However, the bass was less pronounced compared to the Authentics 500, which might be a consideration for those who prefer a heavier low-end presence.
In another test, I played “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran. The Authentics 500 handled the song’s rhythmic elements with precision; the midrange was well-defined, and the percussion had a satisfying punch. On the Era 300, the track’s acoustic nuances were more apparent; the spatial separation allowed for a more detailed listening experience, highlighting background elements that were subtler on the Authentics 500. If you are a bass head that wants bass-rich sound and have a larger listening space, the JBL Authentics 500 would be a suitable choice. Conversely, if an immersive soundstage with detailed spatial audio is more important, the Sonos Era 300 is a better option if you plan to use it as part of your home theater setup.
I would say however that the Sonos Era 300, although lacking deep low-end bass because of a lack of a subwoofer, does provide really nice mid-bass performance due to its woofers. The Era 300 speaker is really meant to be combined with a subwoofer in a home theater setup such as the Sonos 4. It doesn’t sound as good as the Authentics 500 on a standalone comparison but works very well as a front channel speaker in a home theater setup. Conversely, you can’t use the Authentics 500 in a home theater setup and it is less versatile in this respect.
Design Comparison
The JBL Authentics 500 features a sturdy plastic chassis with a metal mesh front. This design choice gives it a retro vintage feel that blends in nicely with modern home interior deocr. This speaker has a frequency response of 50Hz to 20kHz and two passive radiators. The Era 300 on the other hand offers a fabric mesh covering with metal accents. Its construction appears refined and minimalistic. It has a frequency response of 55Hz to 20kHz and houses multiple drivers that contribute to a more immersive sound experience (its 6 drivers are arranged for spatial sound).
I find the Sonos Era 300 uses a more modern aesthetic. The fabric and metal accents give it an elegant but subtle look. The internal components feel carefully placed and the fit and finish seem impressive. The JBL Authentics 500 also feels well-made but its design is more traditional and vintage rather than the modern aesthetic that the Sonos Era 300 has.
The Sonos Era 300 has a clear focus on spatial audio capabilities and a premium finish that feels more futuristic compared to the more classic JBL. The JBL Authentics 500 performs more like the Bose Home Speaker 500 in providing a strong baseline and sturdy design but it might lack some of the newer spatial features that the Sonos Era 300 provides (though both deliver clear sound).
The Verdict?
If you are looking for a standalone speaker, the JBL Authentics 500 is definitely the better option here. This speaker can pump out a massive 270W of output power and comes with a vintage retro design that blends in nicely with modern home interior décor. I especially love the bass notes on the Authentics 500 – they sound deep and punchy, and have plenty of depth. You can also push up the volume on the JBL Authentics 500 and expect to get minimal distortion; the sound remains crisp and crystal clear. Live jazz performances sound particularly good on the Authentics 500 and you can get a good sense of where each instrument and vocal notes are coming from.
The Sonos Era 300 works best as part of a home theater setup, and ideally you would want to pair two Sonos Era 300 speakers together with a Sonos 4 subwoofer to create a home theater system that delivers deep bass. Where the Sonos Era 300 shines is in the spatial audio especially when using Dolby Atmos – listening to both Sonos Era 300 speakers as front channel speakers gives you very nice spatial imaging, and feels like you are sitting in a real life theater. While the bass on the Sonos Era 300 does not punch as deep as the JBL Authentics 500, it does complement the Sonos 4 subwoofer very nicely and delivers crystal clear and crisp dialogues.