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Developed to be a model with a retro look, but which also delivers good connectivity in different ways, the wireless speaker JBL Authentics 500 It is a premium option that arrives in Brazil with an interesting proposal. But is the investment of over R$4 worth it? See our review right now.
Design
There is no denying that the largest model in the line JBL Authentics has a robust design. The official weight reported by the manufacturer is 7,8 kilos with a height of 24 centimeters. Transporting the model from one place to another is a task that will require both hands and it lacked a carrying handle, focusing on mobility.
Of course, people who invest in this product value sound quality more and perhaps this isn't a big problem, but not being able to carry the retro speaker from one place to another with just one hand is a point that needs improvement. I say because the smaller model, the JBL Authentics 300, it has a carrying handle that makes use more dynamic.
Moving on to the look, the front has a gold finish on the edges that adds elegance to any location the wireless speaker is placed. There is also a relief with the grid Quadrex , trademark of the JBL Authentics retro speaker, with a leather covering that resembles suede and gives that premium touch.
About the panel: the volume control button also serves as a playback control: press once to pause the music, twice to go to the next song and three times to go back a track. It works very well and can be that support if you are away from your smartphone, tablet or notebook that is connected to the wireless speaker.
There is also the heart-shaped button, which is named after Meetings and Events. In a basic way, it allows you to register a playlist from some music service. streaming of music and even set the volume at which it will be played, for easy access. A button with the Bluetooth logo to put the speaker into pairing mode is also available.
The other two buttons are for bass and treble controls and are circular in shape for easy everyday use.
When we look at the back of the JBL retro speaker, there is a microphone control, an Ethernet cable input, a USB-C connection (for playing MP3 or WAV files) and another 3,5-way AUX cable input. .XNUMXmm.
The input for the power cable is on this same panel, but only this cable is sent in the box, in addition to the instruction manuals. I missed a USB-A input for traditional pendrives, but nothing that an adapter can't solve.
Usage and connectivity
Working only via electrical connection and without a battery, keep in mind that to use this model you will always need to have a socket (or extension cord) nearby. That said, the box connects to smartphones Android ou iOS and also with the computer in a few seconds to start listening to your playlist on the service streaming whichever you prefer.
I have a habit of using Spotify in my daily life and during tests with the JBL Authentics 500, there was a perfect integration between the speaker and the music platform via Spotify Connect. An interesting feature is that this model also works independently after the first configuration.
It has a Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.2 antenna. I personally used these wireless antennas more than the wired Ethernet port because it is simpler. Since the model needs a wire to work, having another wire connected to it can only cause mobility problems. But, if you find it necessary, the door is there to be used.
The USB-C port was also little used here and it is worth remembering that it will only read MP3 or WAV files. The 3,5 millimeter input will be the outlet for your smartphone or notebook to be connected to the model.
But, by far, wireless use is much more recommended: I say this because if you are at a party, you can control the music via your cell phone or tablet and leave the speaker close to the socket. This model also receives audio via AirPlay, Alexa Multi-Room Music (MRM) and chromecast.
Use of personal assistants
An interesting feature is that you can control the device wirelessly and also use it to control other devices connected to the Wi-Fi network. JBL Authentics 500 have the Google Assistant e Amazon Alexa integrated, ready to use.
Here at home I prefer to use Google Assistant due to my Android smartphone. To do this, you need to download the Google Home app and register the retro speaker in your virtual environment. With that done, just say “Ok Google” and give a voice command. And even if the music is loud, the personal assistant will be activated anyway.
But I would like to say that there is a somewhat limited version of the Google assistant here. It can be used to play songs and entire playlists in your favorite music app and even do some quick internet searches to bring you the result (like weather data, for example).
But the use is not the same as we know when comparing smartphones and tablets. It would be cool if he was able to do more tasks, like calling someone or even sending a text message on WhatsApp. However, these features are only available for cell phones and tablets.
Registering on the Google Home app is very intuitive and took around 15 minutes. One detail that I really liked is the possibility of using Google Assistant and Alexa at the same time, without the need to choose just one of them.
With an eye on privacy, there is also a button that activates or deactivates the microphones so that, if you don't want to be heard by personal assistants, there is no need to unplug the cord. See it here:
JBL One app
Available to Android e iOS, this is the application to perform the general configuration of all JBL products. The first connection will require you to activate your GPS for the speaker to be detected, but this should take no more than ten minutes.
When browsing the application, there is a media control center that allows you to change the volume, pause or skip to the next track. It worked very well with the Spotify, but did not send all the information to Apple Music.
Scrolling the screen further, there is a bass and treble control that I highly recommend leaving at the default setting. The configuration for using the button Time It's interesting, but it has some limitations: it only works with some music services, which are:
- Amazon Music;
- calm radio;
- iHeart Radio;
- Napster;
- Qobuz;
- Tidal;
- TuneIn.
As a good user of Spotify, I missed the application that I use most, but as it can be activated by Google Assistant, it wasn't so much missed.
There is also a section for general configuration, such as renaming the product, registering a Wi-Fi point different from the one you use on a daily basis, configuring a voice assistant and also having access to a shortcut for applications that transmit via Wi-Fi: Spotiy Connect e Tidal Connect.
The application JBL One is very complete, but the lack of supports for the Spotify e Apple Music in some functions it may reduce the user experience for some people. Of course if you use the Amazon Music ou Tidal, you will be able to use the Moments function. But if you don't use it... well, forget it.
Audio
There is no denying that the speakers are powerful and fill the environment in which the JBL Authentics 500 is placed, but there are points for improvement here. In the model, there is a trio of tweeters 25mm aluminum dome that works with a trio of drivers 2,75-inch midrange and a subwoofer 6,5 inches at the bottom. In its entirety, the system delivers a frequency range of 40Hz to 20kHz and 270W of power.
When put to work, there is a slight distortion in the bass that can be a nuisance for the most demanding. The button to boost this part of the songs does its job assertively, so it's worth leaving everything at maximum setting.
Talking about the button that gives priority to the treble, it also does its job successfully, but it will be necessary to make some changes depending on the genre of the music. These are changes that deliver that 3D sound immersion and, when they are disabled, there is the impression that something is missing to have a good sound experience. And it is precisely this support in the bass and treble.
The model also has the capacity to deliver standard audio Dolby Atmos, but it's worth remembering that you'll only get the sensation of spatial audio if you combine the operation of the JBL Authentics 500 with another speaker. Furthermore, for now, it is possible to listen to music that meets this standard if you have a subscription to Tidal ou Apple Music.
I'm someone who listens to different types of music during the week and I felt a sense of relief when I put my favorite pop punk band on the model. Pop singers who value vocals more also had their work reproduced well when the bass and treble buttons were at their maximum setting.
It is worth remembering that, finally, the Bluetooth antenna can reproduce sound through the basic SBC codec. Although it is sufficient for most people, audio enthusiasts may miss codecs such as AAC, aptX, LDAC or LE Audio to have a better sound experience.
Price and availability
During the completion of this review, the speaker JBL Authentics 500 was sold for R$4.265 on Amazon. It is the largest in the Authentics line, which also has the 200 and 300 options.
Conclusion
With a premium look and attention-grabbing connectivity due to simultaneous support for Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, the JBL Authentics 500 It comes as a good option for those who want to have a smart speaker.
Despite being larger than devices like Google Home and Echo Dots, the volume that fills the entire space is one of its highlights. The usage modes could be better developed, but the model's default configuration delivers a good sound experience.
The application JBL One is another tweak that allows some basic settings, but the button Time, which does not support Spotify or Apple Music, may go unnoticed by anyone who uses one of these platforms. Despite this detail, the application is a good complementary tool for use.
The only point of improvement for the model is that it promises a lot, but those who value a more complete sound experience may miss more complete audio codec options. With a market price above R$4, the product is advertised as a complete option, but only delivers the basic SBC Bluetooth codec.
You can say that you won't miss it that much, but given that there are cheaper models that can deliver better sound quality, perhaps it's time to wait for the price of the JBL Authentics 500 to drop a little.
Or, perhaps, get a model from the same line but which has its own battery and a carrying handle, but with less sound power: the case of JBL Authentics 300, which can be purchased for R$3.599 on Pix, via Magalu.
Technical specifications
Specification | Details |
---|---|
Mark | JBL |
Model | JBL Authentics 500 |
Sound system | 3.1 and Dolby Atmos Music |
Fonte de Alimentação | 100 to 240 V AC, ~50/60 Hz |
Speaker Output Power (Max @THD 1%) | 135 W RMS |
Transducer | 3 x 25mm AI dome tweeter + 3 x 2,75″ midrange + 6,5″ subwoofer |
Power consumption in grid standby mode | <2,0 W |
Operating Temperature | 0°C to 45°C |
Frequency response | 40 Hz to 20 kHz (-6 dB) |
audio inputs | 1 audio input, Bluetooth/WIFI, Ethernet and USB (USB playback is available in the US version. In other versions, the USB input is used for service only). |
Dimensions (L x H x D) | 447 x 240 x 255,7mm/17,60″ x 9,45″ x 10,07″ |
Shot put | 7,8 kg / 17,20 lb |
Package dimensions (W x H x D) | 515 x 322 x 315mm/20,3″ x 12,7″ x 12,4″ |
packing weight | 11,4 kg / 25,1 lb |
USB port | type C |
USB Classification | 5VDC, 1A |
Supported formats | mp3, WAV |
MP3 Codec | MPEG 1 Layer 2/3, MPEG 2 Layer 3, MPEG 2.5 Layer 3 |
MP3 sample rate | 16 - 48 kHz |
MP3 Bitrate | 80 – 320 kpbs |
Bluetooth version | 5.3 |
Bluetooth Profile | A2DP 1,3.2, AVRCP 1,5 |
Bluetooth transmitter frequency range | 2.400 MHz - 2.483,5 MHz |
Bluetooth transmitter power | < 17 dBm |
Wifi network | IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (2,4GHz/5GHz) |
2,4G Wi-Fi Transmitter Frequency Range | 2.412 – 2.472 MHz (ISM Band 2,4 GHz; USA) |
2,4G Wi-Fi Transmitter Power | < 20 dBm |
5G Wi-Fi Transmitter Frequency Range | 5,15 to 5,35 GHz; 5,470 to 5,725 GHz; 5,725 to 5,825 GHz |
5G Wi-Fi Transmitter Power | < 23 dBm |
Wi-Fi | Yes |
3D Dolby Atmos | Yes |
JBL One app | Yes |
3,5mm audio cable input | Yes |
Voice assistant integration | Yes |
Bluetooth | Yes |
Price | $ 3.869,10 Add to cart |
What did you think of our review? Do you have any questions about the user experience? Tell us Comment!
See also other features
REVIEW: TRIBIT StormBox Blast Bluetooth Speaker
Text proofread by: Pedro Bomfim
Verdict: JBL Authentics 500
Verdict: JBL Authentics 500-
Design10/10 Excellent
-
Usage and Connectivity8/10 Great
-
Use of personal assistants10/10 Excellent
-
Application6/10 Normal
-
Audio8/10 Great
Pros
- Dual Personal Assistant
- great design
- Smart connectivity
- Powerful 240W sound
- Support for Dolby Atmos
Cons
- Button Momento does not support Spotify and Apple Music
- Lack of higher quality codecs
- Bass may be distorted in some cases
- No additional cables
- Does not have its own battery
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