Short answer: the Go + Play 3. It ranks #3 of 113 boombox speakers at $385; the Go + Play 2 ranks #23 at $350 and is no longer sold new.
The Go + Play 3 reaches deeper bass and adds features the Go + Play 2 never had. Its measured bass extension goes to 35Hz versus the Go + Play 2’s 40Hz, described by reviewers as the deepest bass of any speaker in this size class. It also picks up a companion app with EQ, AAC codec support, TWS pairing, and a power bank function, none of which the Go + Play 2 offers. The tradeoff is volume: the Go + Play 3 is described as just a little over half as loud as the higher-rated boomboxes in its class.
What the Go + Play 2 still has: Wireless Dual Sound party-mode pairing, which the Go + Play 3 dropped entirely, and a warm sound with boosted bass that reviewers still describe favorably on its own terms.
Buy the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 for the deeper bass, the app EQ, and TWS support, unless outright loudness matters more than bass depth.
Buy the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 only if you find one used at a steep discount and don’t need an app, TWS, or a power bank function.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 | Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $350 Discontinued | $385 |
| Ranked | #23 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #3 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Latency | 0ms | 112ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz | 35Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Bluetooth Latency | 33ms | 120ms |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 103dB (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, AAC |
| App | No | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) |
| EQ | No | Yes (App EQ) |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Power Bank | No | Yes |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | 100W AC / 30W battery | 160W RMS |
| Dimensions | 20” x 9” x 9.5” (508 x 228.6 x 241.3 mm) | 17.3” x 9.4” x 7.6” (439 x 240 x 192 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 90mm (3.5”) woofers (front and rear firing) + 2x 20mm tweeters | 1x 130mm (5”) subwoofer + 2x 70mm midrange drivers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) | 10.4 lbs (4.7 kg) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.2 |
| Strap | No | No |
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
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