JBL Link 500 Review | 130 Data compared

The JBL Link 500, as reviewed by Computer Bild, is lauded for its well-balanced, high-quality sound produced by dual 20mm tweeters and 89mm woofers, rivaling the Apple HomePod. The smart speaker excels in voice recognition, requiring significantly less volume for commands compared to standard Google Home models. Primary drawbacks identified include a slightly underemphasized midrange and limited, deep sub-bass performance.

The JBL Link 500 is recognized as a top-performing, well-balanced smart speaker with Google Assistant, offering excellent sound quality, straightforward voice control, and effective multiroom synchronization. While praised for its audio performance and integration with services like Spotify, the review notes limitations in the Google Assistant ecosystem compared to Alexa, alongside high power consumption.

The JBL Link 500 is a powerful, high-fidelity WLAN speaker with built-in Google Assistant, designed for large spaces with massive, room-filling bass. While the device excels with simple setup and multiroom functionality, it is limited by a high price tag of €400 and the lack of a physical power switch, requiring the user to unplug the unit to completely shut it down.

The Area DVD review of the JBL Link 500 identifies the smart speaker as a high-performing, well-built, and powerful, 60-watt, two-way system. It is praised for its excellent, expansive sound, robust connectivity, and simple, Google Home-guided setup. However, the unit is criticized for its significant, 3.5-kilogram bulk, lacking the compact portability found in other smart speakers.

The Connect.de review of premium smart speakers highlights the Harman Kardon Allure for its 360-degree ambient sound and transparent design, the JBL Link 500 for its powerful, vocal-focused audio, and the portable, waterproof Ultimate Ears Megablast. While offering strong, integrated voice assistant performance, the speakers sacrifice physical connectivity and, in the case of the Link 500, lack a dedicated app, notes. Ultimately, the review identifies these models as sacrificing traditional connectivity for smart features.

The JBL Link 500, as tested by audiovision, is a large, stationary smart speaker featuring robust Wi-Fi integration with Google Assistant and balanced, powerful audio output from dual woofers and tweeters. A major strength is its high-resolution audio support and Chromecast capabilities, though the review notes the significant disadvantage of lacking a physical line-in or auxiliary input for analog connections.

The JBL Link 500 is highly rated for delivering powerful, detailed stereo sound with an agile soundstage and responsive Google Assistant functionality, making it an excellent stationary smart speaker for large rooms. While praised for its 4-driver setup and seamless high-res audio streaming via Wi-Fi, the speaker lacks physical analog or USB input ports and can exhibit reduced clarity in the lower mid-range and high frequencies during complex musical passages.

The JBL Link 500 is a large, mains-powered smart speaker featuring dual 89-mm mid-woofers, dual 20-mm tweeters, and four amplifiers designed for powerful, integrated stereo sound. The speaker delivers seamless Google Assistant integration, rapid dual-band Wi-Fi setup, and versatile multi-room capabilities. However, it lacks an internal battery and weatherproofing, limiting it to indoor, stationary use, while also requiring an external smart device and active internet connection for operation.

The NextPit review finds that the JBL Link 300 and 500 speakers offer powerful, room-filling sound with excellent voice recognition for Google Assistant, serving as significant upgrades over smaller portable models. However, these stationary, high-wattage units lack portability due to the absence of batteries, waterproofing, and a physical power-off switch, resulting in a constant standby mode.