Short answer: the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2. It ranks #23 of 89 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 3.9/5, at $350; the Demerbox DB2 ranks #64, rated 2.8/5, and costs $400, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The case for the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2: At 2.4 kg, Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 combines 2x 90mm (3.5”) woofers (front and rear firing) + 2x 20mm tweeters with Bluetooth. The tradeoff: Bass is limited by its 40Hz specification.
Why pick the Demerbox DB2: 40+ hour battery life even at higher volumes (real-world: ~14 hrs with phone charging mixed in). The tradeoff: Bass is not as deep as better speakers.
One note: the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 is no longer sold new, but at #23 of 89 boombox speakers by sound quality it still outranks most current models, so used is worth considering.
Buy the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Demerbox DB2 and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Water resistance is not close: the Demerbox DB2 is rated at IP67 (brief submersion), well ahead of the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 at no water resistance.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 | Demerbox DB2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $350 Discontinued | $400 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #23 of 89 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #64 of 89 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 | - |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power brick | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth | 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 |
| Amplifier 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) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | - |
| Strap | No | - |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Harman Kardon Go + Play 2:
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 2
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 2
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 2
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 2
Prices on this page were last checked September 29, 2026 at 3:43 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
Harman Kardon Go + Play 2: $350 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3, ranked higher, rated 4.4/5.
Pros: At 2.4 kg, Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 combines 2x 90mm (3.5”) woofers (front and rear firing) + 2x 20mm tweeters with Bluetooth. Claimed 8 hours (manufacturer specified) battery life, up to 99db and stereo playback make its feature set practical for its intended room or portable use. Measured bass extension of 40Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 40Hz specification. There is no companion app. No EQ adjustment. Not as loud as others. Discontinued.
Full Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 100W AC / 30W battery |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 33ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 20” x 9” x 9.5” (508 x 228.6 x 241.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 90mm (3.5”) woofers (front and rear firing) + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs (2.4 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 →
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- 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
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- Alan Ross Reviews: HK Go+ Play vs Soundcore Motion Boom - biggest bass battle ever!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs JBL Boombox 3
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs Zealot S89
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- See all 49 comparisons
Demerbox DB2: $400 Discontinued Amazon eBay
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. Discontinued.
Full Demerbox DB2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 22W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| 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) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Demerbox DB2 vs Diamondboxx M3
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