Between the Home Speaker 500 and Authentics 300, the Home Speaker 500 comes out ahead in several specs, while the Authentics 300 wins on output. Overall, the Home Speaker 500 scores 35 and the Authentics 300 scores 55.1 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The Authentics 300 is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 20.1 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.
The Home Speaker 500 doesn't pull ahead on any single popular-comparison spec — its strengths sit in the spec table groups rather than the headline advantages.
Pick the Authentics 300 if you care most about output. Its strongest claims are output.
Both ship with comparable voice assistant, dolby atmos, matter / thread, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the Authentics 300 is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why Bose - Home Speaker 500 wins
- No decisive advantages.
Why JBL - Authentics 300 wins
- ▲Output: 100 W vs 0 W.
Spec comparison
Audio
| Spec | Bose - Home Speaker 500 | JBL - Authentics 300 |
|---|---|---|
| Output | 0 W | 100 Wlead |
| Stereo pairing | true | true |
| Dolby Atmosⓘ | false | false |
Assistant & Smart Home
| Spec | Bose - Home Speaker 500 | JBL - Authentics 300 |
|---|---|---|
| Voice assistant | Alexa,Google Assistant | Alexa,Google Assistant |
| Matter / Thread | false | false |
| Zigbee hub | false | false |
Spec-level deep dives
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