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What's in the Box

The JBL Authentics 300 is a portable wireless smart speaker featuring built-in Google Assistant and Alexa. Inside the packaging, you'll find the Authentics 300 speaker, a power cord, and a quick start guide. The Authentics 300 features a built-in rechargeable battery that provides up to eight hours of portable playback, along with a retro-inspired design and a carrying handle for easy transport around your home or outdoors.

Prerequisites

Before you begin setup, ensure you have:

  • A stable Wi-Fi network (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz)
  • A smartphone or tablet with the JBL One app installed (available on iOS and Android)
  • A Google account or Amazon account for voice assistant setup
  • The speaker charged or connected to power (a partial charge is fine for initial setup)

Step-by-Step Setup

  1. Unbox the Authentics 300 and place it on a flat, stable surface. Connect the power cord to charge the battery and power on the speaker. Press the power button on the back of the speaker if it doesn't turn on automatically.
  2. The speaker will enter setup mode on first power-up. The Wi-Fi indicator will pulse, indicating the speaker is ready to be configured. If the speaker has been used before, press and hold the volume down and Wi-Fi buttons simultaneously for 10 seconds to factory reset it.
  3. Open the JBL One app on your smartphone. Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your phone, as the app uses Bluetooth Low Energy to discover the speaker during initial setup.
  4. The app will detect the Authentics 300 and guide you through connecting it to your Wi-Fi network. Select your network, enter the password, and wait for the speaker to connect. This process usually takes about 30 seconds.
  5. Next, the app will walk you through voice assistant setup. You can enable Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, or both. Sign in with the appropriate account for each assistant you want to use. The toggle on top of the speaker lets you switch between assistants at any time.
  6. Once complete, the speaker will play a confirmation sound. Your Authentics 300 is now ready to stream music, answer questions, and control your smart home.

Streaming Music and Audio

The Authentics 300 supports multiple streaming protocols for flexibility. Use Spotify Connect to stream directly from the Spotify app, Apple AirPlay 2 from any Apple device, or Chromecast built-in from compatible Android apps. For quick wireless pairing without Wi-Fi, press the Bluetooth button on top and connect from your phone's Bluetooth settings. When streaming over Wi-Fi, audio quality is higher and the speaker's battery lasts longer than with Bluetooth.

Smart Home Integration Tips

  • The built-in Google Assistant allows you to control any Google Home-compatible device by voice. You can also add the speaker to rooms in the Google Home app for multi-room audio and targeted commands.
  • With Alexa enabled, the Authentics 300 works like an Echo speaker, giving you access to Alexa Skills, smart home control, and routines configured in the Alexa app.
  • Since the Authentics 300 has a battery, you can use it as a portable voice assistant — carry it to the kitchen, patio, or garage and still access your full smart home setup as long as it's connected to Wi-Fi.
  • Use the JBL One app to adjust the equalizer settings, manage connected music services, and create multi-speaker groups if you own other JBL smart speakers.

Quick Troubleshooting

If the speaker won't appear in the JBL One app, confirm Bluetooth is on and try restarting both the app and the speaker. If the speaker won't connect to Wi-Fi, ensure your router is broadcasting the network name (not hidden) and that you're entering the correct password. If a voice assistant stops responding, check your internet connection first, then verify the assistant is still enabled in the JBL One app settings. For persistent issues, a factory reset (hold volume down and Wi-Fi for 10 seconds) will return the speaker to its original state so you can start the setup process fresh.

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