Customer reviews from jbl.com
JBL - Authentics 200 - Retro Style Smart Home Speaker with Built in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Voice Assistants, Alexa and Googl - White
Average customer rating
4.7
(81 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 81 reviews
5 Stars
64
4 Stars
14
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
0
1 Star
1
100%of customers recommend this product.
(
69 out of
69)
Customer Reviews for JBL - Authentics 200 - Retro Style Smart Home Speaker with Built in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Voice Assistants, Alexa and Googl - White
Customer Rating
3
I absolutely love this speaker!
on December 28, 2024
Posted by: Carson_48
from Utah
It’s incredible at producing loud, high-quality sound, but the highs are a bit muddy, and its aesthetics are top-notch. However, there are a few areas for improvement.
Firstly, the lack of expandability is a bit disappointing. For instance, there’s no pre-out, so you can’t connect additional speakers. While this might not matter to most people, having that option would be a nice touch.
Secondly, I wish there were a manual standby mode button on the speaker itself. It would be much more convenient to press a button to put the speaker into standby mode and disconnect it from Bluetooth, rather than relying solely on the connected device.
Lastly, while this doesn’t impact the speaker’s performance, I think the volume, bass, and treble knobs could use a slight design improvement. It would look more polished and premium if the lights on the knobs moved smoothly rather than in visible steps when adjusting them.
Despite these minor issues, this is an outstanding speaker that delivers amazing sound and style. Highly recommended for the average person who doesn't want to expand it at all!
Response from jbl.comBy Customer Support, December 29, 2024
Thanks for your feedback on our JBL Authentics 200. We're always looking for ways to improve, we'll make sure to pass this along to our development team.
Written by a customer while visiting jbl.com
Customer Rating
5
Classy!
on September 19, 2023
Posted by: BlondeAzn
from Brooklyn, NY
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I was super excited to see a speaker that was different from a regular portable Bluetooth one. Since COVID, I have been working out from home and my music is usually played through a rechargeable speaker. The problem I have been having with those, is I keep having to recharge them every few days. So I definitely liked that this is a stationary speaker, where i can keep it plugged into the outlet. I think the speaker was designed beautifully. It has a very vintage look to it and there’s a leather like trim all around that makes it look so classy and elegant. The material seems very durable and I really like the light detail on the knobs when you change the volume. For the size of the speaker, the sound quality is equivalent to having a mini home theater system in one speaker. I live in a multi family home and I want to make sure I don’t disturb my neighbors, so the option to adjust the bass and treble is an excellent feature. Since I got the speaker, I’ve been using in almost everyday. The only issue I do have is there is no “power” button so sometimes I don’t know how I can get it work without me having to disconnect and reconnect the blue tooth. Overall, I really enjoy this speaker. It is so versatile it can work for anyone, whether it’s listening to music or using it to watch a movie.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting jbl.com
Customer Rating
5
Authentics 200
on September 20, 2023
Posted by: JCin920
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] When I first opened this, I thought to myself, “this is not portable”. I planned on only giving us four stars because of that. Now that it sits at my desk, I am completely satisfied.
This is not an item to just take around to different areas in the house or outside. This is a Time piece, this is a stationary speaker that has multiple functions and can sit at your desk, sit on your mantle, or put on display. This is a beautiful piece of equipment.
The sound is crisp and clear. It is is undeniably perfect. The aesthetics is pleasing as well, the feel, the look, the sound is all there for you. It has a wide range of capabilities and adjustments for treble and bass. Which is nice. I can’t say enough about the sound it is absolutely fantastic. If you want bass it is there. You can adjust it and it can meet any type of music’s requirements.
It looks fantastic at my desk, and I am very happy to own this. Since it sits at my desk, I don’t have to turn this up very loud, but when I do it consumes the whole room. It looks very retro. The size is not huge yet it gets attention Because of its original look. The JBL Authentics 200 did a great service to honor the old school looking speaker while implementing new school technology.
5 stars, great job JBL
Written by a customer while visiting jbl.com
Customer Rating
5
Vintage look, modern technology, amazing sound!
on September 20, 2023
Posted by: efasted
from Annapolis, MD
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I’ll start off by saying I am a huge fan of JBL and have many of their audio products. Also, I’m a fair but harsh critic when it comes to reviews. I have high standards when it comes to audio devices and JBL has yet to disappoint. The JBL Authentics 200 is another impressive speaker I’ve added to my JBL collection.
There are a lot of others that might go deep into technical specs. I’m reviewing it as non-technical customer who just appreciates audio products that sound great, last, and are easy to use. The JBL Authentics 200 is awesome! Here’s why:
Sound. Incredible! Despite its compact size, it throws some serious sound. We have it in our great room hooked up to a record player via Bluetooth and it throws crisp, bright, and deep sound throughout the house. I’m sure the larger Authentics models will outperform the 200 but honestly, this does the trick perfectly for our use.
Ease of Use. Ultra simple. I pulled it out of the box, followed the simple instructions, and hooked it up within seconds to my Bluetooth device and my Wi-Fi network. Huge props to JBL for including a simple switch to turn off the microphone for those of us who don’t want “Alexa” or “Hey Google” listening to everything we say!
I appreciate that you can make easy adjustments with the top three dials (volume/play, base, treble) and two buttons (Bluetooth & Favorite) yet have access to more customizable settings with the JBL One App.
Look and feel. Totally awesome! We recently got back into vinyl which has been a lot of fun for the whole family. It has been very cool to get back into that vintage experience. The JBL Authentic completely adds to the experience with a retro design that centers around the classic L100 classic from the 70’s era. I admit, although I grew up around that time, I tend to lean towards modern looking electronics these days. However, I am impressed with the look of the JBL Authentics line. Although vintage, it has the right modernized and sleek touches that do not make it feel out of place in any way.
Size. Compact. Its about 10.5 x 6 x 6.75 inches making it fit anywhere pretty easily.
Quality. Solid! It is definitely built well. The controls feel very sturdy and I have the impression this speaker is built to last.
To buy or not to buy? Yes, I highly recommend the JBL Authentics 200. However, this is the smallest of the Authentics line. It doesn’t have a built-in battery. So, if you plan to move it around, you may want to consider the other models with integrated batteries. If you have the extra cash to spend and can afford a little more space, you may want to compare against the other two models.
However, if you are in need of an amazing speaker, that’s simple to use, want something compact, and like the vintage look, I highly recommend the JBL Authenics 200!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting jbl.com
Customer Rating
5
New, rejuvenated JBL product!
on September 23, 2023
Posted by: knova
from Denver, CO
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I wasn’t really sure about the boombox before it arrived. Now after seeing it and having it I really like it! It has an old look to it which I enjoy for my decor. I also really like that you can connect Google or Alexa to it so you don’t always just have to use your phone with it. It’s nice that you can change your own bass and treble on it to your own liking. I have found ONE song that sounds just awful on it and I have no idea why. I have turned the bass completely down yet it just sounds terrible. All other songs sound amazing and crisp, and you can turn it up really loud so if you’re around your house you can still hear it clear as day. I would buy another one for my basement!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting jbl.com
Customer Rating
4
Beautiful design and wonderful sound
on September 24, 2023
Posted by: Robocop
from California
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I love the design because its an old vintage look to it. Also the sound is incredibly sharp and the speaker can get very loud. I am happy with the quality of the build and the design. I was hoping the bass could be a lot bolder but overall the sound definitely passed my expectation for a small speaker.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting jbl.com
Customer Rating
5
A JBL Authentics 200 Review
on September 24, 2023
Posted by: Dogsnif
from Near Raleigh, NC
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I was excited to get my hands on the JBL Authentics 200. Just looking at promotional photos it immediately took me back to the 70’s college dorm room where one fellow had a pair of the storied JBL L100’s with the orange Quadrex foam grills. I don’t know why, but that design always intrigued me. The JBL Authentics 200 carries that look forward into the 21st century with an aluminum frame, a leather-wrapped enclosure and a new take on that famous grill.
My first impression upon taking the Authentics 200 out of the box was how large it is - it is bigger than it looks in pictures and is fairly hefty. That was a good sign for me! I placed the speaker on the shelf of some built-in cabinets where I could set things up. I plugged it in, turned it on and it paired to Bluetooth quickly. I already had the JBL One app so set up was very smooth. The app allows exploration of built-in music services, discovery of new songs and artists, and allows full customizable equalizer settings.
The Authentics 200 has both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, so it allowed me to choose how I wanted to listen to music. There is also support for AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect and Chromecast built-in. There are Aux in, USB-C and an Ethernet port on the back of the speaker. The JBL One app allows for the chaining of several speakers together to play the same music throughout the house. One of the most interesting features of the Authentics 200 is that it allows integration of Amazon and Google for simultaneous voice control. I had never heard of that before, but is very useful, especially if you have a mix of Google and Amazon devices.
Being an audio guy, the first thing I wanted to do was play some music. I opened up Spotify and connected. The stereo sound produced was very pleasant. I had previously experienced this kind sound in my den with some of my small to midsized bookshelf speakers. The Authentics 200 filled my large living room (400 sq ft) with excellent sound without taking up near as much space. The music was clear at even low volumes. At loud volume the sound was not overbearing. The bass was smooth and the highs were crisp and clear without distortion. Even the most over-the-top songs (think Brass Monkey by the Beastie Boys) were enjoyable even at high volume. The dials on the on top of the speakers are nice looking and are illuminated as they are rotated. I personally didn’t feel like that added a lot as these functions can be controlled in the JBL One app. I actually think they detract a bit from the over look of the speaker.
One of the things I would have liked to have on the Authentics 200 is battery powered portability. I confess that I do like to move my small speakers around. I’m not hung up on that as I certainly have several speakers that fill that bill – but they are not as aesthetically pleasing as the Authentics 200. Besides JBL offers that portability in their Authentics 300.
To sum up, The Authentics 200 is a great speaker for anyone who loves the retro look and the modern features. It has a powerful sound that can fill a large room with ease. The speaker also has a lot of connectivity options, so you can stream music from your favorite apps or devices. You can even use voice assistants from both Amazon and Google to control the speaker. The JBL One app is very user-friendly and lets you customize the sound to your liking. The Authentics 200 offers both quality and versatility.
My first impression upon taking the Authentics 200 out of the box was how large it is - it is bigger than it looks in pictures and is fairly hefty. That was a good sign for me! I placed the speaker on the shelf of some built-in cabinets where I could set things up. I plugged it in, turned it on and it paired to Bluetooth quickly. I already had the JBL One app so set up was very smooth. The app allows exploration of built-in music services, discovery of new songs and artists, and allows full customizable equalizer settings.
The Authentics 200 has both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, so it allowed me to choose how I wanted to listen to music. There is also support for AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect and Chromecast built-in. There are Aux in, USB-C and an Ethernet port on the back of the speaker. The JBL One app allows for the chaining of several speakers together to play the same music throughout the house. One of the most interesting features of the Authentics 200 is that it allows integration of Amazon and Google for simultaneous voice control. I had never heard of that before, but is very useful, especially if you have a mix of Google and Amazon devices.
Being an audio guy, the first thing I wanted to do was play some music. I opened up Spotify and connected. The stereo sound produced was very pleasant. I had previously experienced this kind sound in my den with some of my small to midsized bookshelf speakers. The Authentics 200 filled my large living room (400 sq ft) with excellent sound without taking up near as much space. The music was clear at even low volumes. At loud volume the sound was not overbearing. The bass was smooth and the highs were crisp and clear without distortion. Even the most over-the-top songs (think Brass Monkey by the Beastie Boys) were enjoyable even at high volume. The dials on the on top of the speakers are nice looking and are illuminated as they are rotated. I personally didn’t feel like that added a lot as these functions can be controlled in the JBL One app. I actually think they detract a bit from the over look of the speaker.
One of the things I would have liked to have on the Authentics 200 is battery powered portability. I confess that I do like to move my small speakers around. I’m not hung up on that as I certainly have several speakers that fill that bill – but they are not as aesthetically pleasing as the Authentics 200. Besides JBL offers that portability in their Authentics 300.
To sum up, The Authentics 200 is a great speaker for anyone who loves the retro look and the modern features. It has a powerful sound that can fill a large room with ease. The speaker also has a lot of connectivity options, so you can stream music from your favorite apps or devices. You can even use voice assistants from both Amazon and Google to control the speaker. The JBL One app is very user-friendly and lets you customize the sound to your liking. The Authentics 200 offers both quality and versatility.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting jbl.com
Customer Rating
5
Retro Look, Modern Sound
on September 26, 2023
Posted by: TdotCdot
from Concord, CA
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The Authentics 200 is some of the best quality sound on the market! Upon unboxing, I was impressed with the detail of the speaker; the pattern on the face of the speaker gave me vintage vibes with a modern flare. The volume, treble, and bass dials seemed retro but the light that’s emitted when turning them up or down made me feel like I was living in the future. The marriage between the old look with modern technology was done beautifully.
Connecting the speaker to my mobile device was very easy—press the Bluetooth button, find it on your device, connect, and done. I also downloaded the JBL One app for easier management and connection. Once I was paired, I turned on some of my favorite music and cranked up the volume! Before I fiddled with the treble and bass settings, I was thoroughly impressed at how clear the sound was as I began to slowly turn up the volume. The bass could be felt and the clarity of the artists voice made it feel like I was at a concert. As I began to mess with the treble and bass to gauge the abilities, it became abundantly clear that in any setting, I was going to get quality sound.
There are a couple of drawbacks that are minor but still I would’ve loved included. I wish this speaker had wireless capabilities. Having to be tethered to an outlet is ok but having the convenience of picking it up and move it to wherever I am would have been more ideal. Also, I wish there was an on/off switch. Something about turning something on or off just brings me comfort.
Overall, this is a great product. Not only do you get exceptional sound but it can definitely spruce up your decor. It’s stylish and retro and would make an impressive piece on any shelf, dresser, or wherever else you want to put. Highly recommend!
Connecting the speaker to my mobile device was very easy—press the Bluetooth button, find it on your device, connect, and done. I also downloaded the JBL One app for easier management and connection. Once I was paired, I turned on some of my favorite music and cranked up the volume! Before I fiddled with the treble and bass settings, I was thoroughly impressed at how clear the sound was as I began to slowly turn up the volume. The bass could be felt and the clarity of the artists voice made it feel like I was at a concert. As I began to mess with the treble and bass to gauge the abilities, it became abundantly clear that in any setting, I was going to get quality sound.
There are a couple of drawbacks that are minor but still I would’ve loved included. I wish this speaker had wireless capabilities. Having to be tethered to an outlet is ok but having the convenience of picking it up and move it to wherever I am would have been more ideal. Also, I wish there was an on/off switch. Something about turning something on or off just brings me comfort.
Overall, this is a great product. Not only do you get exceptional sound but it can definitely spruce up your decor. It’s stylish and retro and would make an impressive piece on any shelf, dresser, or wherever else you want to put. Highly recommend!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting jbl.com