Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used, though neither ranks well in its class. Used, the Bose SoundLink Color II is the better pick: it ranks #125 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 2.7/5), against #155 (rated 2.3/5) for the Harman Kardon Esquire 2. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 175 medium speakers, and the EarFun Uboom L, ranked #2 at $49.79, is a better place to start if sound quality matters.
The Bose SoundLink Color II is the better-sounding choice. Soft-touch rubber coating is comfortable to hold and tough enough for bumps and scrapes. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Harman Kardon Esquire 2. The tradeoff: Boosted bass on Color II.
The Harman Kardon Esquire 2 is the lighter option. Doubles as a conferencing speakerphone with a 4-mic array and noise/echo cancellation. At 0.8 lbs (350 g) it weighs much less than the Bose SoundLink Color II at 1.3 lbs (600 g). It keeps a wired aux input, which the Bose SoundLink Color II lacks. Watch for: Bass is weak, vocal and instrument separation is underwhelming and sounds tinny at high volume.
Buy the Bose SoundLink Color II only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, start with the EarFun Uboom L instead.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Color II | Harman Kardon Esquire 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $139.00 Discontinued | $200 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #125 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #155 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | - |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (600 g) | 0.8 lbs (0.35 kg) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 4.1 |
| Dimensions | 5.2” x 5” x 2.2” (132 x 127 x 56 mm) | 7.5” x 5.1” x 1.3” (190 x 130 x 34 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm full-range drivers | 4x 1.25” (32mm) full-range drivers |
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB | Micro USB |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC |
| Amplifier Power | - | 16W |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Bose SoundLink Color II: $139.00 Discontinued Amazon $139.00 eBay
Pros: Soft-touch rubber coating is comfortable to hold and tough enough for bumps and scrapes. IPX4 splashproof. Supports multipoint pairing to two devices at once.
Cons: Boosted bass on Color II. Not as deep of bass as other models. Lacking midrange detail. Rolled off treble. Discontinued.
Full Bose SoundLink Color II review and specifications →
| Released | May 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5.2” x 5” x 2.2” (132 x 127 x 56 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm full-range drivers |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (600 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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Harman Kardon Esquire 2: $200 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Doubles as a conferencing speakerphone with a 4-mic array and noise/echo cancellation. Flat, compact design packs easily. USB charge-out for topping off a phone.
Cons: Bass is weak, vocal and instrument separation is underwhelming and sounds tinny at high volume. Discontinued.
Full Harman Kardon Esquire 2 review and specifications →
| Released | 2015 (11 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 16W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.5” x 5.1” x 1.3” (190 x 130 x 34 mm) |
| Drivers | 4x 1.25” (32mm) full-range drivers |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (0.35 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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