JBL Authentics 500 AC WiFi/Bluetooth Wireless Voice assist Smart speaker $399.95 Delivered @ JBL Australia

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n3ck3ntry8bort0rgasm on 10/09/2024 - 15:57 jbl.com.au (321 clicks)
Last edited 10/09/2024 - 21:09

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Edit: apparently this is a voice assistant controlled “Smart” speaker which is a bit different from a WiFi audio speaker which is what I thought it was.

this wireless speaker does not have a battery. runs on wall plug AC power only.

seems like JBL is trying to clear these out since it was $419 at JB HiFi at some point recently (shows on google but not any more on JB).
normally priced at $600 to $700. JBL claims "60% off" but more like 33%~40% off.

previously posted for $654 which I didn't really think was a great deal. https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/838969

General Specifications
 Model: Authentics 500
 Sound system: 3.1 & Dolby Atmos
Music
 Power supply: 100 - 240V AC, ~
50/60Hz
 Total speaker power output (Max @
THD 1%): 270W
 Transducer: 3 x 25mm Al dome
tweeter + 3 x 2.75” midrange + 6.5”
subwoofer
 Networked standby power: < 2.0 W
 Operating temperature: 0 °C - 45 °C
Audio Specifications
 Frequency response: 40Hz - 20kHz
(-6dB)
 Audio inputs: 1 Audio in, Bluetooth/
WIFI, Ethernet and USB (USB
playback is available in US version.
For other versions, USB is for
Service only.)
USB Specifications
 USB port: Type C
 USB rating: 5V DC, 1A
 Supporting formats: mp3,WAV
 MP3 codec: MPEG 1 Layer 2/3, MPEG
2 Layer 3, MPEG 2.5 Layer 3
 MP3 sampling rate: 16 - 48 kHz
 MP3 bitrate: 80 - 320 kpbs
Wireless specifications
 Bluetooth version: 5.3
 Bluetooth prole: A2DP 1.3.2,
AVRCP 1.5
 Bluetooth transmitter frequency
range: 2400 MHz - 2483.5 MHz
 Bluetooth transmitter power:
<17 dBm
 Wi-Fi network:IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/
ac/ax (2.4GHz/5GHz)
 2.4G Wi-Fi transmitter frequency
range: 2412 - 2472 MHz (2.4 GHz
ISM Band, USA 11 Channels, Europe
and others 13 Channels)
 2.4G Wi-Fi transmitter power:
<20 dBm
 5G Wi-Fi transmitter frequency
range: 5.15 - 5.35GHz, 5.470 -
5.725GHz, 5.725 - 5.825GHz
 5G Wi-Fi transmitter power:
<23 dBm
Dimension Specifications
 Dimensions (W x H x D): 447 x 240 x
255.7 mm / 17.60” x 9.45” x 10.07”
 Weight: 7.8 kg / 17.20 lbs
 Packaging dimensions (W x H x D):
515 x 322 x 315 mm / 20.3” x 12.7”
x 12.4”
 Packaging Weight: 11.4 kg / 25.1 lbs

What’s in the box
1x JBL Authentics 500
1x Power cable
1x Quick start guide
1x Safety sheet
1x Warranty card

Related Stores

JBL Australia

• 

  Jimothy Wongingtons on 10/09/2024 - 16:07

  looks ok for $400

  • 

    n3ck3ntry8bort0rgasm on 10/09/2024 - 16:09

    +1

    yeah feedback says sound is a step up in quality from their bluetooth/party speakers.

    except I think a lot of people are disappointed it's not portable, doesn't have a battery and isn't waterproof etc. so probably didn't sell well and flopped in sales.

    • 

      purple1 on 10/09/2024 - 16:18

      You will need an active music service with Dolby Atmos (Apple, Amazon or Tidal) to really take advantage of this speaker, otherwise there won't be any soundstage. Awesome price!

• 

  Jimothy Wongingtons on 10/09/2024 - 16:29

  @harshbdmmaster718

  confirming jb were fine to price match for pickup.
  Ive got it in my cart but looking at further reviews…. second thoughts now

  • 

    purple1 on 10/09/2024 - 16:39

    Product / Manufacturer support is almost non-existent with extremely poor responses. There is no JBL/Harman base/branch in Australia, calls are routed overseas.

    • 

      n3ck3ntry8bort0rgasm on 10/09/2024 - 16:41

      maybe they are pulling out of Australian market. I heard of a few brands doing this because they don't sell well enough.

      could be better deals and lower prices to come soon then.

      at the same time JBL is basically Samsung and I have heard many terrible stories about samsung CS/warranty claims.

  • 

    n3ck3ntry8bort0rgasm on 10/09/2024 - 16:40

    it does look fancy inside.
    front: https://hnau.imgix.net/media/catalog/product/j/b/jblauth500b…
    bottom: https://photos-us.bazaarvoice.com/photo/2/cGhvdG86amJs/0abb7…

    but don't be fooled by the 270W claim. it's probably got less than half that power in real watts.

    purple says you need dolby atmos content to hear wide sound. tbh though it's just a single speaker so you can't expect much basically.

    • 

      purple1 on 10/09/2024 - 16:42

      I have this speaker, with Dolby Atmos content, it definitely delivers even in a large open space room.

  • 

    n3ck3ntry8bort0rgasm on 10/09/2024 - 16:49

    second thoughts now

    also $400 is still a lot of money. Edifier bookshelf/bookshelf and sub can be bought for similar price. https://www.ozbargain.com.au/product/edifier-s2000mkiii

    • 

      Jimothy Wongingtons on 10/09/2024 - 16:53

      Exactly - but not as nice aesthetic and prob not as good overall sound (I have Apple Music )

      • 

        n3ck3ntry8bort0rgasm on 10/09/2024 - 16:56

        yeah Authentics was a bit of a weird product to begin with. good to look around at other options. even more expensive ones, you can save and that $400 can go towards a deal that's $600.

        on top of what I said in my reply to your comment at the top, JBL originally wanted $1000 for it. 😂 yeah no chance at that price.

        they probably wanted to upsell the Authentics to people who have Xtreme or Boombox 3 speakers. something more premium that permanently stays at home and sounds a bit better than their bluetooth speakers.

      • 

        purple1 on 10/09/2024 - 16:56

        JBL Authentics 500 does not officially support Apple Music. However, it does work via Google Home, but not via Amazon Alexa or JBL App.

        • 

          Jimothy Wongingtons on 10/09/2024 - 17:22

          @purple1: That’s a pain … I do have Spotify too. I guess I’ll skip this cheers

• 

  Agileduck on 10/09/2024 - 19:05

  Very tempting! Reading about it I’m not sure I like some of the design choices. No power button? Or physical remote… all app controlled?

  • 

    purple1 on 10/09/2024 - 19:12

    There is a large circular tactile push button (combined with volume dial) at the top of the unit to play/pause/stop. It has a concurrent Google & Amazon voice assistants built-in, therefore designed as an always on device.

    • 

      n3ck3ntry8bort0rgasm on 10/09/2024 - 21:06

      It has a concurrent Google & Amazon voice assistants built-in, therefore designed as an always on device.

      I missed that part. I thought the “smart” side was opt in but sounds like it’s necessary to use the speaker and your voice is meant to be the remote.
      I thought you could just plug it in, then connect to Bluetooth, or WiFi Airplay from iPhone or Cast music from Android.

      ok so it’s more like a big smart speaker.

      • 

        purple1 on 10/09/2024 - 21:41

        The simultaneous Google & Alexa voice assistants are optional. You can use Bluetooth/WiFi Casting from your phone if you wish. Note, it is recommended to use WiFi instead of Bluetooth for higher bandwidth to support the lossless/Dolby codecs.
        However, the voice assistants are very useful. Once setup, you can stream music directly from the speaker without the need to use your phone/tablet. You can use either Alexa or Google assistant, or both at the same time. I have both active because somethings work on one and not the other.
        It is a smart speaker. However, it is somewhat limited.
        It is not an Amazon branded device; therefore, it does not have the Alexa call, drop-in, announce features, cannot be used in automation routines, and does not work with the Ring products such as the Ring doorbell.
        I believe this is the case for any other Alexa enabled non-Amazon branded device, such as the SONOS Era 300.
        It is not a Google branded device; it cannot function as a Google Home hub.

  • 

    n3ck3ntry8bort0rgasm on 10/09/2024 - 21:09

    yeah sorry didn’t look far enough into how it works. no power button is a bit confusing.

    I thought it was going to be a plug and play situation but sounds like you need to set up the voice assistant to use the speaker and your voice is meant to be the remote “Google turn the volume down” etc.

    I will put “Smart speaker” in the title. so it’s more of a big square Amazon Echo or Google home type speaker.