Short answer: the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2. It ranks #18 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $350; the Demerbox DB2 ranks #49 and costs $400, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 offers: Warm sound with boosted bass. Watch for: Not as loud as others.
What the Demerbox DB2 offers: 40+ hour battery life even at higher volumes (real-world: ~14 hrs with phone charging mixed in). Watch for: Bass is not as deep as better speakers.
Buy the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Demerbox DB2 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the Demerbox DB2 is rated for 40 hours versus 8 hours for the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2.
If water resistance matters to you, the Demerbox DB2 at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 | Demerbox DB2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $350 Discontinued | $400 |
| Ranked | #18 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #49 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Latency | 0ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 33ms | - |
| Max Volume | 99dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power brick | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Output Power | 100W AC / 30W battery | 22W RMS |
| Dimensions | 20" x 9" x 9.5" (508 x 228.6 x 241.3 mm) | 10.6" x 9.7" x 6.9" (270 x 246 x 175 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 90mm (3.5") woofers (front and rear firing) + 2x 20mm tweeters | 2x 3" (76mm) aluminum cone full-range drivers |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs / 2.4 kg | 5.4 lbs / 2.47 kg |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- JBL Boombox 4 vs Zealot S89
- JBL Boombox 4 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- JBL Boombox 4 vs Zealot ZE21
- JBL Boombox 2 vs Demerbox DB2
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs Turtlebox Gen 2
The Two Speakers In Full
Harman Kardon Go + Play 2: $350 Discontinued
Pros: Warm sound with boosted bass.
Cons: Not as loud as others. No water rating. Discontinued.
Full Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Latency | 0ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 33ms |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 20" x 9" x 9.5" (508 x 228.6 x 241.3 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 90mm (3.5") woofers (front and rear firing) + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Output Power | 100W AC / 30W battery |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs / 2.4 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- 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: JBL Boombox 2 bass monster or the mature Harman Kardon Go+ Play 2 mini for bass?? 💥
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast or Harman Kardon Go+ Play 2 Mini by an old bloke!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Harman Kardon Go+ Play 2 mini or Onyx Studio 6 - best speaker for bass?
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Motion Boom Plus vs Harman Kardon Go+ Play 2 mini - party vs HiFi
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bag of Riddim vs Harman Kardon Go+ Play 2 - boom boom in da room! 🥳
- Alan Ross Reviews: HK Go+ Play vs Soundcore Motion Boom - biggest bass battle ever!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Reddit Search for Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs JBL Boombox 2
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs JBL Authentics 300
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs B&O Beolit 20
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs Sony SRS-XG500
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs Soundcore Motion Boom+
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs Bumpboxx Flare 6
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs Turtlebox Gen 2
- See all 10 comparisons
Demerbox DB2: $400 Amazon
Pros: 40+ hour battery life even at higher volumes (real-world: ~14 hrs with phone charging mixed in). Built from a Pelican case - nearly indestructible and waterproof (IP67). Multi-pair up to 6 units. Doubles as power bank and waterproof container.
Cons: Bass is not as deep as better speakers. Very overpriced.
Full Demerbox DB2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.6" x 9.7" x 6.9" (270 x 246 x 175 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 3" (76mm) aluminum cone full-range drivers |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Output Power | 22W RMS |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 5.4 lbs / 2.47 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons