JBL Authentics 500 Speaker Review
JBL returns to its heyday with the retro-tinged Authentics 500. In essence, it’s a cutting-edge wireless speaker. But how does it sound?
JBL aims to ignite nostalgia with its new wireless Authentics speaker series. The largest model, Authentics 500, sits at the top.
Significantly larger than the next largest portable model, Authentics 300, it probably explains why JBL didn’t bother to equip the 500 model with a battery. Although not as humongous as the massive tabletop speaker Authentics L16 we tested in 2014, it does take up a significant amount of space on the bench.
The Authentics 500 is a Wi-Fi speaker in retro design with a waffle patterned grille, mainly inspired by the iconic L100 (which was relaunched in a Classic edition a few years ago). And let’s not forget other classics like the L112 and the 4312 studio monitor, to name just a few. All with 12-inch bass drivers, which the Authentics 500 can’t quite brag about. But it features a 6.5-inch subwoofer on the underside, and behind the grille, three midrange and three tweeters are hidden.
Specifications
Type: Wireless speaker
Network: WiFi 6, Ethernet
Wireless: AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Tidal, TuneIn, Amazon Music, Bluetooth
Power: 270 watts
Sound pressure level: no information
Weatherproofing: no information
Dimensions/weight: 44.7 cm x 25.6 cm x 24 cm/7.8 kg
Other: Automatic Room Sound Correction, Dolby Atmos
Website: jbl.com
JBL promises a massive sound with a total output of 270 watts. And a big stereo sound from a single speaker.
DOLBY ATMOS
As if that’s not enough, the speaker supports the Dolby Atmos audio format. This means it plays 3D spatial audio recordings that are encoded in Dolby Atmos. You can use Tidal or Amazon Music built into the app, or Tidal Connect on your mobile device.
Since the speaker does not have any speaker elements on the top, the Atmos effect is limited to a purely digitally processed variant, through phase and frequency manipulation, instead of reproducing height channels separately. This can have some effect, but it is never as good.
The speaker’s ability to automatically calibrate itself to the room it’s in provides a better starting point for both the sound and the atmospheric effects.
Furthermore, it has AirPlay, Spotify Connect and built-in Chromecast. Two or more speakers can be paired up, but for some reason, they cannot be paired into Stereo. It would have greatly increased the possibilities.
ALEXA AND GOOGLE ASISSTANT – SIMULTANEOUS FOR THE FIRST TIME
A major new feature in the Authentics speaker series is the inclusion of both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant in the same device. This means that you can seamlessly communicate with both voice assistants – just say “Hey Google” or “Alexa” to get started. But keep in mind that at present, Google is the only one that supports Scandinavian languages. Therefore, Google Assistant is actually the only one that’s relevant for most users in Sweden.
Connection is easily done via the JBL One app. Here, you’ll also be guided through setting up the Google Assistant. A simple and straightforward step-by-step installation.
Sound quality
So, a complete package is promised for the history-conscious music lover. But can legendary JBL deliver?
Let it be said right away: the Authentics 500 plays loud and delivers a massive bass. The bass driver at the bottom provides solid weight and fills the room impressively, whether you’re listening to Infected Mushroom’s I Wish or Caroline Polachek’s Dang. The bass sounds heavier and punchier than I ever could have dreamed of!
Atmos music gives a larger sound image than stereo recordings, but the effect is more of a “nice to have” than a necessity.
The biggest issue relates to the midrange, which lacks nuance and depth. It’s too recessed, so voices and guitars don’t jump out from the mix enough. The treble is also a bit coarse. This can be particularly heard on The Muffs’ punk version of “Kids in America,” where the characteristic raspy voice of the late Kim Shattuck becomes a mere shadow of its former self. The same applies to the fuzz guitars, both here and on the NOFX album “Punk In Drublic,” where the said Shattuck also features in the irresistibly catchy song “Lori Meyers”. Punk is supposed to be noisy, but this is a bit too noisy for my taste.
There’s a three-band EQ in the app that you can adjust. When I reduce the bass a little and boost the midrange, it sounds better. But this changes as the volume goes up.
The main issue here being that as I increase the volume, the bass becomes compressed and thin, the midrange suddenly becomes too aggressive, and the treble even rougher. Hence, I would actually advise against cranking up the volume too much on this speaker.
TWO SPEAKERS?
In desperation, I tried to connect two 500 speakers in the hope of achieving better stereo sound. Stereo separation usually enhances dynamics and details, resulting in a larger and better-defined soundstage. Those who remember what I wrote previously will know that this wasn’t possible. However, when I grouped the two speakers together, I achieved significantly louder sound with more tranquility in the soundstage. My ears could relax while I felt the vibrations from the music. But such a setup is hardly relevant considering the price. For less than what two 500s cost, you could get a pair of active floor speakers in stereo that would completely outclass the JBL Authentics 500.
Even the Sonos Five, their most potent model, is cheaper than the Authentics 500, and it provides a more user-friendly experience, room correction, and the possibility to pair two speakers in Stereo. The sound quality is better, though not as loud, as the JBL speakers. Additionally, we compared Sonos Five vs Naim mu-so qb 2nd generation vs Bowers & wilkins zeppelin
THE APP COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER Last but not least, a small tip for the app developers. When you’re streaming from a music service, say Tidal, via the JBL app, you quickly find yourself deep within the service while looking for artists, tracks, and playlists. When you’re then playing a song and want to go back to the start menu of the app to make settings (e.g., adjust the EQ), you have to press back again and again, I don’t know how many times, before you finally reach the start menu. I kindly request a home button that also shows up in the chosen streaming service.
Verdict
The JBL Authentics 500 is a cool speaker, even if my review might give a different impression. It’s just that I expected so much more. Sure, you can play loud and fill the room with big sound. But I don’t think it sounds very dynamic or balanced, especially the midrange, which should have been clearer. The treble is also quite rough. Comparatively, the smaller Authentics 300 actually sounds better, even though it’s not as powerful.
For daily listening and background music, Authentics 500 still works well, and it has much of what many associate with the JBL sound. But not the control, unfortunately. The retro design is really cool and the speaker supports almost everything you need, so I think many will like it. Even though I personally hoped for even more.
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