Short answer: the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 for better sound quality, the Ultimate Ears Roll 2 for the lower price. The Harman Kardon Esquire 2 ranks #120 of 136 medium speakers at $200. The Ultimate Ears Roll 2 ranks #125 at $100, $100 cheaper.
On the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 side: Doubles as a conferencing speakerphone with a 4-mic array and noise/echo cancellation. Watch for: Bass is weak, vocal and instrument separation is underwhelming and sounds tinny at high volume.
The case for the Ultimate Ears Roll 2: Thin, flat profile fits easily in a bag or purse; light at 0.73 lb. Built-in bungee cord for hanging from a hook, nail, or door handle. The tradeoff: Not stereo. Barely any bass, rolled off treble off axis.
Buy the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Ultimate Ears Roll 2 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 136 medium speakers instead.
If water resistance matters to you, the Ultimate Ears Roll 2 at IPX7 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 at IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Esquire 2 | Ultimate Ears Roll 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $200 Discontinued | $100 |
| Ranked | #120 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #125 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 9 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 4.0 |
| Dimensions | 7.5" x 5.1" x 1.3" (190 x 130 x 34 mm) | 5.9" x 5.3" x 1.6" (149.5 x 135 x 40 mm) |
| Drivers | 4x 1.25" (32mm) full-range drivers | 1x 2" full-range + 2x 0.75" tweeters |
| TWS | No | No |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Stereo | No | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB | Micro USB |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | - |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Output Power | 16W | - |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs / 0.35 kg | 0.7 lbs / 330 g |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX7 |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| App | - | Yes (UE Roll app) |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Harman Kardon Esquire 2: $200 Discontinued
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 →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 4x 1.25" (32mm) full-range drivers |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 16W |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs / 0.35 kg |
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Ultimate Ears Roll 2: $100
Pros: Thin, flat profile fits easily in a bag or purse; light at 0.73 lb. Built-in bungee cord for hanging from a hook, nail, or door handle. Life-resistant waterproof/dustproof shell.
Cons: Not stereo. Barely any bass, rolled off treble off axis
Full Ultimate Ears Roll 2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (UE Roll app) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 9 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.0 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5.9" x 5.3" x 1.6" (149.5 x 135 x 40 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 2" full-range + 2x 0.75" tweeters |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs / 330 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons