Which sounds better in a large room?

The JBL Authentics 500 has more claimed power and a bigger woofer, so it plays louder on its own. The Sonos Five holds its own and gains from stereo pairing if you buy two.

Can I use either without an app?

The JBL works over Bluetooth or AUX with no app. The Sonos Five needs the Sonos app for Wi-Fi setup and has no Bluetooth, though line-in works once configured.

Which is better for movies?

The JBL, because of virtual Dolby Atmos and Bluetooth for quick TV hookups. The Sonos Five is a music speaker and has no Atmos decoding.

Is the Sonos Five worth the extra money?

Only if you want the Sonos multi-room system or stereo pairing. On its own at $479.00 versus $399.00, the JBL offers more inputs and features.

Can I pair two of either for stereo?

Two Sonos Fives pair as a stereo set in the Sonos app. Two JBL Authentics 500 units do not stereo pair; they can only join a multi-room group.

Which has better voice control?

Both support Alexa and Google Assistant. The JBL builds them in directly; the Sonos Five relies on the Sonos app and Sonos Voice Control for setup.

JBL Authentics 500 vs Sonos Five

Buy the JBL Authentics 500 for a single speaker that fills a room, streams over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and adds virtual Dolby Atmos for less money. Buy the Sonos Five if you plan to build a Sonos multi-room system or want stereo pairing and line-in on a proven platform. The JBL's lowest recent price was $399.00 on October 30, against $479.00 for the Sonos Five on November 6.

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