Customer Ratings & Reviews

I am thrilled with this purchase. This speaker is powerfully designed and the music is clear and crisp. We use it over all other speakers we have and would recommend this speaker to anyone. Will buy another product for our second home. This speaker is loud and the app is friendly to use.

I like the Jbl the sound great the design look beautiful

I’ll start by mentioning that initially I was a little let down by the fact that this speaker isn't “portable”. Meaning it doesn’t have a built in battery, and it has to stay plugged into an outlet to operate. If you’re looking for a portable speaker then this won’t be for you. That is the only negative thing I have to say about this speaker. It’s certainly not a dealbreaker, i set it up and played some music while my girlfriend and I do our morning exercises. We both had the same reaction when the music started. We both grinned and said wow! We were both really surprised at the sound coming out of this speaker. Even though the default EQ settings are “flat” the bass bumps pretty loud. It doesn’t completely drown out the mids and treble though. Our music still sounded great. Even when not facing the speaker from the other side of the living room, I could still kind of feel the bass. The speaker definitely can fill a large living room with sound and will make a great party speaker. I’m kind of a “speaker head” lol, I love listening to music so I own a few speakers and headphones and this speaker has genuinely blown my mind. It is going to be my main speaker for home music and movie watching for the foreseeable future. The sound quality alone justify’s the purchase of this speaker. I love its retro yet modern design. I’m an 80s baby, so it definitely reminds me of the speakers my uncles owned growing up. It has 3 large dials up top that kind of remind me of vinyl discs. They light up when you turn them. One controls volume and acts as a play / pause button and the other two control treble and bass. There is no mid EQ control on the speaker itself but you can fiddle with the EQ further within the JBL app. There is a usb C port in the back along with an Ethernet port and Aux audio port. I plan on connecting my projector to the Aux port to use it as a speaker for my projector. It is that good. I am confident that it will be amazing for watching movies as well. The speaker also has Google assistant and Alexa if you prefer to use that. Google is my Ai of choice, simply because I’m already invested in the eco system, but it is great for asking Google for traffic and weather updates, as well as to control your smart home devices. It’s the typical Google assistant we all know. Think of it as a Google home speaker on steroids. You can mute the microphone whenever you don’t want the speaker to be listening to you (for peace of mind). The speaker has Bluetooth for audio as well as WiFi for Airplay and Google assistant/ chromecas. I suggest you connect it to your WiFi so that you can share the speaker with anyone on your WiFi network and multiple device connections. The included JBL ONE app will update the firmware of the speaker, control music and EQ and you can even program it to play music at a scheduled time. Would I recommend this speaker? I’m going to give it a big thumbs up! I haven’t owned or tried really high end / expensive audio equipment but out of the speakers I’ve owned in my 40 years on this planet, I’m going to say it definitely deserves a spot in my top 5 list. I know, it’s a bold statement. But to my ears, this speaker is very impressive for its size.

The Authentics 200 is a new retro inspired smart speaker from JBL. This is the entry-level model of the Authentics series, but it is by no means entry level. I’ve had it setup for a few days now and played plenty of music through it at this point. So far I am liking the sound quality and ease of use as a networked home speaker. The design of the Authentics line of speakers really takes things back in time with its retro look. It reminds me a bit of older guitar amps with outer shell and grill combo. The outer shell is a textured rubber that feels very durable. The grill has a sleek grid pattern and is surprisingly sturdy as well. Surround the grill is a classy metal trim in a bronze finish. All of these features place this speaker as something straight out of the 70’s. The top controls blend in well with this look even if they contain a few LEDs. The top controls include, volume, bass, treble, and a multifunction button. There’s also the Bluetooth sync button and “moments” button. The rear of the speaker also has a slider to turn the microphone on/off. The button controls on the top are pretty straightforward and work well, with the exception of the multi-function button that’s part of the volume wheel. A single press plays/pauses, a double press advances the song, and a triple press goes back a song. The timing of the double and triple press is very hard to get right. I think I tried 40 times to go back 1 song (triple press) and only succeeded 3 or 4 times. All other times I skipped ahead and then paused it, or it registered as pause/play/pause. I pressed super fast, slow, even tempo, etc. and couldn’t be guaranteed I was doing it correctly. The double press has the same issues but it seems to register that function with 50% accuracy. Either way the multifunction button, in its current state, is poorly executed. Hopefully a firmware update will address this issue. The bass and treble wheels are both great additions to have, and it allows me to fine tune the sound of song on the fly without having to pull up the app. The wheels have an LED ring around them that fills up to show you how high you have set the bass/treble, which is a great visual indicator. I currently have the speaker set in my kitchen to listen to while cooking. My kitchen isn’t very big but its open to the dining area and living room, so it’s a fairly large space. At 30-40% volume I can fill the entire area with music. Its got plenty of power and punch to keep up in larger spaces. It achieves this with a single 5” woofer, dual 1” tweeters, and a 6” passive radiator. The woofer and tweeters are front firing while the passive radiator is on the bottom. There’s no rear porting to worry about so the speaker does just as well up against the wall as it does out in the open. The only thing I could see that would affect the sound quality is to make sure it’s on a hard, solid surface that provides the passive radiator on the underside something to bounce sound off of. The speaker apparently has a self-tuning feature that allows it to correct its balance depending on your room layout. Most of my spaces are large open areas, so I don’t have much variety in room layout to test it. However, I’m not sure how useful this will be on a corded speaker as I don’t see myself moving this around often at all. Also with the way I have my Google Home setup it’s assigned to a room, which gives me faster control to the lights and other devices also assigned to that room. Moving it to another room would mess up this association unless I shifted the room location in the Google Home app each time. Sound quality wise the system performs really well. It sounds as good if not better than the older Google Max speaker I have. There is plenty of clarity at all volume levels – at 60% you could hear the speaker outside my home with the doors/windows shut. The bass response is quick and punchy, but doesn’t get super deep or boomy. Vocals are really well represented along with instrumental pieces. Mids and highs are great, but I wish the lows had a little more depth to them. I am a fan of big bass, which probably has something to do with that feeling. Sound quality does vary a bit depending on the source with 3.5mm sources sounding the best for me. We have Spotify Premium, which has a good bitrate but still uses lossy audio formats. I’m sure high bit-rate/lossless audio streaming services like Tidal will sound great as well. The speaker comes with a couple of nice features that make it easy to live with. It provides plenty of connection options - Wi-Fi, LAN, Bluetooth, and 3.5mm. I’m not sure if you can play music through the USB-C port, but I have used it as a rapid charger for my Pixel and Samsung Tablet. I haven’t connected it to my LAN yet, but I would assume it would sit on the network just like my other wired network audio and be searchable in the app. 3.5mm audio was straightforward and sounded great. I have an older LG V40 with Hi-Fi quad DACS that I keep around for things like this, and it definitely sounds better than the compressed Bluetooth audio. The other nice feature set revolves around the Google/Alexa support. I have a fully Google Home system setup. I have never ventured into the Amazon Alexa ecosystem, so I don’t have a benchmark for that. However, the speaker can handle both voice assistant systems simultaneously which would be great for anyone with a blended device collection. My experience with it as a Google Home speaker was pretty good. The microphone picked up commands really well and it was quick to process whatever request I had. Even with the music up it could still pick up “Hey Google.” Through my Google Home app I could direct the speaker to play music via my linked Spotify account. It as easy as playing music on any of my Google Home speakers or displays. Along with Google Home the device pairs up with the JBL One app. Within this app you can name your speaker, adjust the EQ curve, see what’s connected and playing, and connect to one of the In-App Music services. The In-App services are admittedly very limited. My family uses a mix of Pandora, Spotify, and XM. None of these are supported within the JBL One, but instead are outside services supported through Google Home or my phone. The app supports Amazon Music, Calm Radio, iHeartRadio, Napster, Qobuz, Tidal, and TuneIn. Its only within these few services that the “Moments” button is used. It can return you to a point in a playlist, start a playlist, change to a favorite radio station, etc. I am sad that the Moments button is limited to these apps. I just don’t see myself using it, since I don’t have a presence on any of these apps. Overall, I am pleased with the performance of this speaker. Sound quality is excellent, and it has no problem being loud enough to hear over a party or for me, vacuuming. It has a very cool retro styling that I enjoy the look of, and it appears to have an excellent build quality. The materials absolutely feel premium enough to fit in with other high end network speakers. My only gripe with the speaker design is the multi-function button is a letdown in its current state. Other than that the speaker performance is great.

BOTTOM LINE JBL enters the upscale retro-chic BT speaker market with a really classy and potent-sounding smart speaker that punches a bit above its weight class provided you don’t push it TOO hard. DESIGN/FEATURES The black with gold-accented enclosure is wrapped in a handsome leather-looking/leather-feeling material. That, coupled with JBL’s old-school style speaker grille, makes for a refined yet definitively “rock and roll” statement on your tabletop or shelf. Controls and readouts are minimal which adds to the clean, streamlined, and classy look of the Authentics 200. The top-most inset control panel features three large dials, each encircled by a progressive white LED ring that indicates the volume, treble, or bass level—it’s actually kinda cool when you adjust levels via phone/app and watch the LED circular displays change from across the room. A button with a Bluetooth icon sits next to the volume dial and acts as both BT input select and BT pairing; there is also a heart-labeled “Moments” button just below that which lets you instantly activate a favorite playlist and dial in custom speaker volume/EQ settings that you set up in the JBL One companion app. Just above the BT button is a small multi-color LED that communicates the status of a number of functions and activities for the speaker itself as well as voice assistant notifications; for example: speaker start-up (pulsing white), successful WiFi network connection (solid white), weak network strength (yellow), Alexa timer and alarm ringing (pulsing cyan & blue), Alexa do-not-disturb (purple). There are also several Google Assistant LED indicators as well, but they all utilize various patterns of white LED activity only. Honestly, the status LED is so small, so subtle, and faces directly towards the ceiling, so I don’t know how helpful it really is unless you are physically standing over the speaker at the time the display lights up. Nevertheless, I give kudos to JBL for making a product that focuses on *the music* and doesn’t become a cluttered and intrusive mess in a darkened room thanks to a glut of illuminated buttons, readouts, or unnecessary RGB effects. On the back is a physical mic mute switch with handy green and red indicators to let you know when your voice assistant can actively listen or not. Along with a deeply recessed power port, there is a USB-C port though you cannot use the Authentics 200 as an external DAC and speaker for a PC, the port only provides playback of MP3s (80-320kbps/16-48kHz) or WAV files. There is also a 3.5mm AUX jack and an Ethernet jack (!!!) in case the built-in 2.4G/5G WiFi adapter isn’t enough network connectivity for you. Although construction feels rock-solid, be careful of how you handle the speaker because there is a down-firing passive bass radiator that takes up virtually the entire bottom panel. The speaker also has four rubber bumpers at the corners of the risers that give the speaker an almost springy, floaty feeling when set on a flat surface. The sensation took a bit of getting used to because I am so accustomed to hi-fi components sitting resolutely in place so vibrations can’t intrude on drive motors, delicate laser pickups, etc.; the Authentics 200 practically bounces on its rubbery feet! In addition to offering vanilla BT streaming, the Authentics 200 can also handle network streaming and Internet radio to include connectivity and playback via AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify connect, and Alexa Multiroom Music. And in a gracious nod to those of us who can’t commit to a single digital assistant and smart home ecosystem, JBL gives you both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa built-in, so you get all the benefits of a Google Nest or Amazon Echo speaker along with all the smart-home features they bring along for the ride. Speaking of BT streaming, I used the Authentics 200 with several YouTube and Netflix streams; depending on the stream/source quality, I noticed barely any to no distracting A/V delay at all which bodes well for those of you who might want to use this speaker for video as well as audio content. The companion JBL One app (which mercifully does NOT require an account or login credentials) is actually a useful tool that, in addition to establishing network connectivity and basic device settings, gives you the option to further tune and customize the performance of the Authentics 200 with preset EQs that can include midrange boosts and cuts (the on-speaker controls are limited to adjustments of bass and treble only) that are saved to the speaker even after exiting the app. The app also features “In-App Music” capabilities which essentially integrates the sound controls and settings accessible in the JBL One app with the playback and browsing controls and user-interface for Amazon Music, Tidal, iHeartRadio, Qobuz, etc. This is a very handy way to manage your listening options, especially if you subscribe to multiple streaming services, without having to flip between multiple applications; and the responsiveness of the In-App Music user experience in JBL One seemed only a hair slower than using the native apps themselves. PERFORMANCE AND OBSERVATIONS Finally, getting into the guts of the unit, there is a single 5” full-range driver flanked by two 25mm tweeters behind the speaker grille. The effect this 2.0 setup produces is *somewhat* stereo-like with greater-than-mono sound separation at relatively close listening distances. But as this is a single-enclosure after all, and given that the 5” driver is serving double duty for both bass and mid-range, the stereo effect really only shines when a song has been deliberately mastered with exceedingly wide L/R channel separation. That said, vocals and instruments sound clear, detailed, and energetic…there is definitely no veil or loss of dynamics to the music despite the Authentics 200’s diminutive size—JBL clearly knows its stuff! Bass performance is further extended by the passive radiator at the bottom of the enclosure which definitely helps extend the bottom end further than you would imagine possible from a speaker this small. At low and mid-range volumes especially, the additional grunt contributed by the bass radiator adds palpable heft to speaker’s rich and detailed output. Along with auditioning the speaker at home, I brought it to work to share with my officemate who thankfully shares similar musical tastes to my own…he said the speaker was very lively and “fun” to listen to and thought the sound it produced was of a quality that was commensurate with JBL’s asking price. That said, the Authentics 200’s premium build quality, appearance, and feature set feels just a little incomplete without some of the newer HD audio codecs like aptX HD or LDAC. It’s not a critical omission, but it would have been the icing on an otherwise very capable and well-appointed sonic cake. I also found that as the volume increased, the extra oomph provided by the passive radiator started to translate into a) vibrations of the entire enclosure (remember, the whole thing sits on incredibly bouncy rubber feet) that created just a hint of its own vibration noise, and b) attention-grabbing bass bloat that got muddier and more imprecise as the volume continued to rise. In the case of the latter, some bass-heavy passages would simply have deep bass notes suddenly and distractingly “appear out of nowhere” at levels that drowned out the finer details and clarity of the mids and highs below them. When this happened, some quick re-EQ at the low end brought things back under control. I also had to remind myself that I wasn’t trying to fill a giant rave with dance music…yes, the Authentics 200 can go REALLY loud, but it probably shouldn’t if you care about the quality of the music. In all fairness, this tends to be true of pretty much any small enclosure source that leverages a passive radiator…there is only so much precision you can squeeze out of a small rubber surround that is furiously flexing near maximum excursion once bass frequencies start getting longer and longer. Still, it is something to note if you were planning on having a house/apartment/dorm party and DJ’ing it solely from the Authentics 200.

JBL has been well-known for making premium and high-quality speakers for years. This JBL Authentics 200 has a merit to hold the name of authentic!! the retro and heritage design makes it stand out and feel like a masterpiece. The design is superb and elegant. The build quality of it is no doubt far and beyond, it feels premium and looks sophisticated. The leather-like wrap with a front foam grille makes an amazing blend of quality and luxurious look. The size is about perfect. it sits well in my guest room and the sound is room-filling and enough to be heard around my home. When turned, the volume, bass, and treble knobs are premium and have a nice haptic feel. Connectivity, this speaker is wifi and BT enabled, but what impressed me much about this speaker is the integration and ability to use two voice assistants simultaneously which are Alexa and Google Voice. Both are all-time active and can be invoked. Besides, streaming via wifi is awesome and seamless. In addition to Alexa and Google, Apple AirPlay is also available which makes this speaker "all-in-one" to provide everything from music streaming and home control through voice commands. I personally, like the way it is powered. being wired is the best option since I don't plan to take it with me anywhere other than my home. In contrast, I can use the multi-room feature on Alexa and Google Home apps to connect it to other speakers I have already in different rooms and have them all play simultaneously. The microphone seems great as I did not have any voice assistant issues. It picks up the trigger words such as “Alexa or Hey Google” immediately. Also controlling smart home devices was a breeze. The speaker can be connected to the internet via ethernet but I would rather use wifi just to declutter cables it is good to have for sure. USB Type-C is also available to connect a phone or tablet and play music. I loved this speaker, it offers a luxurious design, premium quality, and all the music streaming services to the extent I can choose any service I prefer with no hassle. The sound is amazing and provides super clarity and loud. In addition, the favorite heart-shaped button is the moment feature that allows to create a playlist on the JBL One app to play it with a single press on the speaker. Finally, a privacy-related feature is addressed here as the speaker has a microphone on/off switch on the back which is convenient.

The JBL Authentics 200 is a great retro looking smart speaker which is wrapped in a black leather-like enclosure and a goldish outline. The looks maybe retro but the JBL Authentics has both Alexa and Google smart enabled so you can listen to anything with a simple “hey Alexa/Google”. Now even though this is a smart speaker you can turn off the smarts by muting Alexa/google with the flick of a simple switch and just use this speaker through Bluetooth ,AUX or USB-C. The amount of sound that comes from this compact speaker is amazing, I was surprised how great the low/bass sounded from the JBL, my expectations for the highs/mids were as expected (great) but I did not expect the lows to sound this nice. Not only did the lows/mids/highs sound great the sound was great no matter how loud I was playing my music. One of the main reasons the sound is so good is its self-tuning feature which adapts to the JBL’s surroundings now this happens whenever you power on the JLB Authentics 200 automatically, now this does cause a little delay in the startup but its well worth it. I tried placing the JBL in a enclosed cabinet, next to a wall on tiles and even in the middle of my living room on carpet and every time the self-tuning made sure the sound was consistently great. Now since this isn’t a portable speaker the chances of you moving it around aren’t that high but its nice to know that it will sound great no matter where you place the JBL or on what surface you place it. As stated above this speaker connects to both Google and Alexa to make your life a little bit easier and they both work at the same time (you can ask Alexa to start a song and Google to stop it). Having both Google and Alexa is a great thing because you can do multi-room playback if you have other devices connected. The JBL one app helps you connect to wifi and add the streaming services you have. Now the app makes it simple to change/adjust the sound settings and even lets you set up a favorites play list which JBL calls moments. These moments can be saved to play in a certain order, EQ setting and volume. Once these moments are set all you have to do is push the little button on the JBL to get your playlist going or just ask Google/Alexa. Besides the sound quality JBL has done a great job with the design there are multiple things with the JBL Authentics 200 that make this one of the best looking and feeling speakers. The way the light eliminate on the rotating buttons as you increase the volume/bass or the small rubber feet at the bottom of the speaker which are there to prevent damage to your shelf when you turn this all the way up. Over the JBL Authentics 200 is a great speaker with room filling sound.

JBL has refreshed their Authentics line featuring great retro design and modern features, a nice alternative to the predominantly modern speaker design of smart speakers. The Authentics 200 is a welcome change with its bold Quadrex grille, premium feel, and classic vibe. At over 10” wide and roughly 6” high and deep, the 200 is not the smallest WiFi smart speaker but it does manage to provide rich stereo sound out of a compact footprint. JBL arranged two 25mm tweeters, a 5” woofer, and a 6” passive radiator into an impressive and stylish package. I love the look of the speaker, though it may not be for everyone. The recycled materials include brushed gold aluminum trim and leather like exterior which compliment the vintage Quadrex grille, while the metal volume and EQ knobs are a nice departure from modern capacitive buttons. A nice array of I/O in the back with an always welcomed physical mic switch, though I didn’t find any documentation on if it physically disconnects the microphones. JBL also provides a thoughtful array of inputs including WiFi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, Auxiliary (3.5mm), and even USB. Though I predominantly utilize AirPlay in order to accomplish multi-room audio for disparate brand WiFi speakers, the Authentics supports Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant simultaneously as well as connecting to popular standalone music services such as Amazon Music and Tidal. Naturally, their is a companion app to assist with setup but it is not required to operate the speaker. JBL also support stereo pairing two of the speakers together, though I have found a single 200 to fill an average size room in rich audio. JBL advertises the speaker as self calibrating for the room on power on, ensuring it is optimized any time the speaker is moved. Though missing a physical mid knob, I found the sound to be rich and it provides a nice range even at lower volumes. Without drawing any direct comparisons, I feel it holds its own against similarly priced speakers while incorporating a great retro design. JBL Authentics 200 stands out as a fantastic choice in the crowded WiFi Smart Speaker market; offering premium components, modern features, and rich sound in a tasteful retro design.

I have owned many speakers made by various manufacturers over the years, and this one ranks among the best when it comes to audio quality and aesthetic appeal. Pros: - First, this speaker has basically everything that you would want in a modern audio product: Great sound, a beautiful design, Smart features, and flexible functionality. - Music and podcasts both sound great. The bass really thumps through a downward firing woofer. - The knobs to adjust volume, treble, and bass feel very elegant and high-end as you rotate them. The face of the speaker has terrific texture and look, giving it the old-school feel that a person in their late 40's like me can appreciate. - This speaker is compatible with both Google Assistant and Alexa, giving you the choice of smart assistant that you prefer. Most speakers are only one or the other. - A USB-C port is included in the rear, allowing you to charge phones/tablets. This is a welcome feature that many speakers lack. Additional features include an Ethernet port, an AUX port, and a switch to turn the onboard mic off if you don't plan to use the assistant (or like the privacy). - This speaker is not powered by a lithium-ion battery and needs to be plugged into an outlet. This can be a good thing as it extends the life of the product as batteries can fail over the years. Keep this in mind as it does limit portability. This is designed to be a home speaker. Cons: - The labels on the treble and bass knobs are barely legible (black on black). Over time I'm sure I'll remember which is which, but for now, not being able to read the labels unless the room is well lit is kind of annoying. - The set-up process in the app didn't go very smoothly. Connecting to WiFi took several attempts. After finally getting connected there was a firmware update ready. Toward the end of this update process I got an error indicating that the update failed. It gave me an option to try again but the app locked up. After restarting the app, the settings showed the device was up to date so I guess the firmware update did work after all. This was the only reason I did not give this speaker 5 stars. This speaker is a good value. You'll love the audio quality and features.

I recently purchased the JBL Authentics 200, and let me tell you—this speaker is an absolute gem! Its retro-inspired design instantly caught my eye, blending a timeless ‘70s vibe with modern elegance. The Quadrex grille, leather-like enclosure, and premium aluminum frame make it a stylish centerpiece in any room. But looks aren’t everything—this speaker delivers where it matters most: sound quality. The dual 25mm tweeters and 5-inch woofer produce crystal-clear highs, rich mids, and deep, resonant bass. Whether I’m jamming to rock classics, streaming a podcast, or enjoying some soothing jazz, the audio performance is always on point. What truly sets the JBL Authentics 200 apart is how it combines convenience and technology. Just think of it as a super-upgraded version of Google Home or Alexa. Not only does it integrate seamlessly with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa simultaneously, but it also gives you robust audio performance that leaves other smart speakers in the dust. You can control your smart home devices, stream music effortlessly via Spotify Connect, AirPlay, or Chromecast, and even set up multi-room playback—all with simple voice commands. The Wi-Fi connectivity and JBL One app are the icing on the cake, allowing you to fine-tune your audio settings and customize the EQ for a sound that’s tailored to you. Plus, the automatic self-tuning ensures the speaker delivers optimal performance, no matter where it’s placed in your home. Lastly, the eco-conscious design deserves a special shoutout. Made from recycled materials and packaged responsibly, JBL has managed to create a product that’s not only phenomenal in performance but also kinder to the planet. If you’re looking for a speaker that combines retro charm, cutting-edge features, and incredible sound quality, the JBL Authentics 200 is your best bet. Highly recommend it to anyone who values style, substance, and sustainability!

Sleek looking, big sound from a compact sound system! Retro vibes get everyone’s attention. Looks great in our living room too. This was a gift for my husband and he loves it!

Nice classic look, feels super solid and high quality. Alexa integration is great. Sound quality and bass are very good for the size. Little expensive for what you get, wish it had Atmos at this price point.

Nice clean sound elegant classic look easy to pair

Great product. Great well rounded quality , and sleek design.

You have probably heard old saying that good things sometimes come in small packages and the JBL Authhentics 200 is a perfect example of that. This is the smallest Bluetooth/WiFi speaker in JBL's Authentics lineup -- just 10 inches across and less than 7 inches high -- but still manages to produce some very impressive, room-filling sound at equally impressive volumes. That's all the more remarkable when one considers there are just two 1-inch tweeters and a 5-inch woofer inside. High frequencies are particularly bright and crisp, as you might expect . What you may not expect is the surprisingly strong bass the Authentics 200 can crank out .... and those booming low notes are just as tight and clean as the high ones. Midranges are a bit lacking, which is to be expected given the small speakers being used. But separate ring-lit bass and treble controls allow you to fine-tune the music to get a very satisfying overall sound. The JBL One app, which is required to set up the Authentics 200, gives you even more control over the sound with infinite equalizer options. Speaking of setup, that's pretty painless. The app recognizes the speaker, does the always-required firmware update and then gives you the option to connect to your home wifi network and add both Alexa and Google voice control. (Yes, you can use both at the same time) This means you can also add the Authentics 200 to any other speaker networks you have with the same capabilties. Alexa and Google voice control also gives you access to the streaming music services attached to your account in those ecosystems. Should you already have too many of these voice-activated devices scattered across your home, spreading confusion everytime you utter the magic wakeup words, you can turn off voice control with a switch on the back. A thoughful design feature. If you opt to go that route, the Authentics 200 will operate as a standalone Bluetooth speaker so you can wirelessly stream music stored on phones, tablets, etc, as well from any music streaming service you have access to on those devices. Or you can use an auxiliary cable (you must supply that yourself) to connect music devices directly to the speaker. This is a very sturdy, well designed bluetooth speaker, clad in traditional black faux leather and JBL's famous waffle-pattern "Quadrex" front grill. A brushed gold metal bezel surrounds the front edge, which adds to the understated, elegant design. The big, round volume, bass and treble controls are all on top and each has a light ring to to indicate the level chosen. On the back, there are inputs for AC power, USB C, aux cable and ethernet. And very soft rubber feet on the bottom keeps rattles away, no matter how much loud bass-shaking music you play. JBL says an impressive 90-watt stereo amp powers the Authentics 200. But the speakers inside are so tightly grouped you don't get any noticeable sound separation. The Authentics 200 is a bit pricey for its diminutive size, But if you are short on space or just like the idea of a more compact speaker cab, this thing punches above its weight class and delivers suprisingly good sound quality.

JBL Authentics 200 is a Smart Home Speaker that integrates both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant simultaneously in one device. The unit has a classic retro design that blends in any room. On top of the speaker, you have physical buttons to control the volume, play or pause, adjust Treble and Bass. You also have the Bluetooth button to connect to a device and a favorite button. The JBL One app lets you connect the speaker to Wi-Fi as well as customize settings. The speaker has aux input as well as USB C port for wired connections. I do like the microphone button on the back which can be used to turn off the mic for Alexa or Google assistant. The speaker also supports multi room play via Alexa or Google Home. This definitely comes in handy if you want to play the same music across all rooms. Although there is no Siri support, I like the Airplay option to support all Apple devices. The favorite button lets you play your playlist or other customized moments that you set up in the app. Another neat feature is the automatic self-tuning. Anytime you power up your speaker, it will calibrate the audio settings for any location. The sound quality from the speakers is clear and surprisingly good. This is a great smart home speaker if you are in the market for a portable speaker with added functionality.

First and foremost, the design of the Authentics 200 is a testament to JBL's commitment to craftsmanship. Its retro-inspired wooden cabinet, metal accents, and fabric grille exude elegance and sophistication, making it a statement piece in any room. The attention to detail is evident in every aspect of its construction. Sound quality is where the Authentics 200 truly shines. With dual 2.5-inch tweeters and a 5.25-inch subwoofer, this speaker delivers a rich, room-filling audio experience. The bass is deep and punchy, while the highs are crisp and clear, creating a balanced and immersive soundstage. Audiophiles will appreciate its ability to reproduce music with remarkable fidelity. What sets the Authentics 200 apart from the competition is its smart capabilities. It seamlessly integrates with popular voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing you to control your smart home devices, check the weather, or play your favorite music with simple voice commands. The built-in microphone array ensures accurate voice recognition even in noisy environments. Connectivity options are abundant, with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a variety of wired inputs, including an optical input for your TV or gaming console. The JBL app provides intuitive control over settings, equalization, and streaming services, making it easy to tailor your audio experience to your liking. Multi-room audio is another highlight of the Authentics 200. You can link multiple speakers together to enjoy synchronized music throughout your home, creating a seamless and immersive listening experience.