These sit in different size classes, so this is not a straight ranking comparison. The B&O Beoplay A2 active ranks #16 of 77 large speakers by sound quality at $400; the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 ranks #3 of 75 boombox speakers by sound quality at $385.
What the B&O Beoplay A2 active gets right: B&O’s True360 sound from both sides. The catch: Not stereo.
On the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 side: Warm sound with boosted bass. The tradeoff: Just a little over half as loud as the higher rated boomboxes.
One note: the B&O Beoplay A2 active is discontinued, but it still ranks #16 of 77 large speakers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the B&O Beoplay A2 active at $400 for a large speaker, or the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 at $385 for a boombox speaker instead.
If battery life is a priority, the B&O Beoplay A2 active is rated for 24 hours versus 8 hours for the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beoplay A2 active | Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $400 Discontinued | $385 |
| Ranked | #16 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #3 of 75 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs / 1.1 kg | 10.4 lbs / 4.7 kg |
| App | No | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes (App EQ) |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.2 |
| Dimensions | 10.1" x 5.6" x 1.7" (256 x 142 x 44 mm) | 17.3" x 9.4" x 7.6" (439 x 240 x 192 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 3" fullrange woofers, 2x 0.75" tweeters + 2x 3" passive radiators | 1x 130mm (5") subwoofer + 2x 70mm midrange drivers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Output Power | 60W | 160W RMS |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Latency | - | 112ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 35Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 120ms |
| Max Volume | - | 103dB |
| USB Playback | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 compares with other leading options:
- Earfun Uboom X vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore
Prices on this page were last checked September 8, 2026 at 6:02 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
B&O Beoplay A2 active: $400 Discontinued eBay
Pros: B&O’s True360 sound from both sides. Customizable sound via Beoplay app. 22 hour battery (improved from original A2). Stereo pairing with a second A2 Active. Splash/dustproof, USB-C charging. ~1.1 kg with carry strap.
Cons: Not stereo. Discontinued and no longer sold new. Discontinued.
Full B&O Beoplay A2 active review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.1" x 5.6" x 1.7" (256 x 142 x 44 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 3" fullrange woofers, 2x 0.75" tweeters + 2x 3" passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Output Power | 60W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs / 1.1 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Harman Kardon Go + Play 3: $385 Amazon eBay
Pros: Warm sound with boosted bass. Deepest bass out of any speaker in this size. Sound is more natural than the Go + Play2.
Cons: Just a little over half as loud as the higher rated boomboxes. Only 8 hours of battery at medium volume. No water rating.
Setup: Use the hidden EQ modes to adjust the bass up when outside and down when inside. To adjust bass, quickly press the bluetooth and volume down buttons together, the number of light flashes tell you what mode you’re in. To adjust treble, quickly press the volume up and phone buttons at the same time, the number of yellow flashes on the light tell you what mode you are in.
Full Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 112ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 120ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 17.3" x 9.4" x 7.6" (439 x 240 x 192 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 130mm (5") subwoofer + 2x 70mm midrange drivers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Max Volume | 103dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 160W RMS |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 10.4 lbs / 4.7 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Harman Kardon Go+ Play 3 vs Go Play 2, the holy grail has arrived? ✔ More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 hidden eq modes - world has gone crazy! 🤣
- Alan Ross Reviews: Minirig 2.1 or the Brane X or the Harman Kardon Go Play 3?
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Distortion Fest vs my favorite speaker today! I wasn’t expecting this!
- Mateusz Cholewa: BOGASING S8 Pro Max „HiFi” 🎶🧐🆚 Harman Kardon Go Play 3 „HiFi”🔊 More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- Oluv Patreon: Harman Kardon go+play 3 - best sounding? More from Oluv’Sone →
- Oluv Patreon: Harman Kardon go+play 3 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast - outdoor soundtest
- Oluv Patreon: Harman Kardon go+play 3 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - first impressions
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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