JBL Authentics 500 Smart Home Bluetooth Speaker - Black

The JBL Authentics 500 is a smart home speaker made for a living room rather than a bookshelf. Three 25 mm aluminium dome tweeters, three 2.75-inch midrange drivers and a 6.5-inch subwoofer firing down through JBL's SlipStream bass port share 270W of total output. Each time it powers up and starts playing, it tunes the sound to the room.

On Wi-Fi it plays through AirPlay, Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect and Alexa Multi-Room Music, and Alexa handles voice requests and smart home devices. Bluetooth keeps two devices connected at once, a 3.5 mm AUX input takes a wired source, and an Ethernet port helps where Wi-Fi is weak. Volume, bass and treble each get a knob on top. The aluminium frame, leather-like finish and Quadrex grille follow JBL's 1970s designs.

There is no battery or power button; it runs from the wall and sleeps after 10 minutes of silence. JBL's Google Assistant country list leaves out India, so plan on Alexa. Dolby Atmos Music plays over Wi-Fi, but TIDAL, the service JBL names for it, is not offered in India. Owners like the deep, loud bass and retro look, while some find it bass-heavy and voice replies slower than an Echo's.

Plug the speaker into mains power and it starts in Wi-Fi setup mode. Install the JBL One app, connect your phone to the same Wi-Fi network and follow the prompts to add the speaker and Alexa. For Bluetooth, press the Bluetooth button on top and choose JBL Authentics 500 on your phone. After the first power-up, let music play for about three minutes so the speaker can finish tuning itself to the room.

JBL Authentics 500 speaker, power cable, quick start guide, safety sheet and warranty card. Ethernet and 3.5 mm audio cables are not included.

Harman India gives JBL products bought from an authorised Harman dealer in India a one-year limited warranty from the date on the invoice. Defective parts are repaired or replaced free of charge at an authorised Harman service centre; Harman does not give refunds on warranty claims. Log a request with JBL India customer support first, and keep the original invoice, as every claim needs it. Physical or accidental damage, batteries and buttons that wear with use, accessories such as charging cables and power adapters, and repairs by anyone other than an authorised service centre are not covered.