These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The B&O Beoplay A2 active ranks #16 of 75 large speakers at $400; the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 ranks #3 of 70 boombox speakers 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 75 large speakers, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the B&O Beoplay A2 active at $400 if you want a large speaker. Buy the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 at $385 if you want a boombox speaker instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beoplay A2 active | Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $400 Discontinued | $385 |
| Ranked | #16 of 75 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #3 of 70 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 | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| 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) | 17.28" x 9.45" x 7.56" (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 | - |
| Aux Latency | - | 112ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 35Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 120ms |
| Max Volume | - | 103dB |
| USB Playback | - | No |
The Two Speakers In Full
B&O Beoplay A2 active: $400 Discontinued Amazon
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.
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| 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 |
| Output Power | 60W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs / 1.1 kg |
- Buy Used
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
Harman Kardon Go + Play 3: $385 Amazon Ebay Refurbished
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.
| 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 |
| Dimensions | 17.28" x 9.45" x 7.56" (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 |
| 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 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Harman Kardon Go+ Play 3 vs Go Play 2, the holy grail has arrived? ✔
- 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”🔊
- Oluv Patreon: Harman Kardon go+play 3 - best sounding?
- 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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- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs Earfun Uboom X
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs Zealot ZE41
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Boombox 4
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 2
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Boombox 3 Wifi
- See all 13 comparisons
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.