JBL Authentics 300

Ice-cool looks, but does this do-it-all speaker help you chill out or just leave you cold?

You know that one kid at school that you couldn't help but envy? The one who, aside from being tall, athletic and a hit with the ladies (or gents) also ended up getting solid grades, played in the youth orchestra and helped sick puppies down at the local pet rescue? Well, that's what the JBL Authentics 300 brings to mind, at least at first glance: a do-it-all polymath with the looks to match.

Two things strike us about the Authentics 300 wireless speaker right out of the gate. The first is how good-looking the thing is, sporting a lovingly crafted retro design that oozes class and sophistication no matter where we place it. The second, less immediate aspect is how versatile JBL's stocky unit is. Thanks to its portability, streaming smarts and twin voice-assistant capabilities, the Authentics 300 covers multiple bases.

Emerging deals

Officially, this speaker retails at ₹50k But prices are expected to drop around this festive season and you should be able to buy it for a lesser amount.

For comparison, the new, mains-powered-only Audio Pro C20 wireless speaker is expected to launch around the same price. If you want something similarly burly and substantial but which still bills itself as being 'portable, the Sonos Move 2 springs to mind.

Looks aren't everything, but they do matter. They certainly matter if you are as handsome as the Authentics 300, and while it's a chunky, substantial unit thatmakes the likes of the more portable JBL Xtreme 3 seem slender by comparison, it's unquestionably easy on our eyes. That front "waffle" grill defines the unit's assertive, bold aesthetic, tempered nicely by a sleek metallic trim.