Short answer: the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3, if you are buying new. The Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 ranks higher than the JBL Authentics 300 (#23 vs #46 of 113 boombox speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3, is rated 4.4/5 at $385 and is still sold new.
The Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass pick. A stylish, light stereo speaker with good sound for moving from room to room. Its bass reaches about 40Hz before falling 10dB, against 45Hz for the JBL Authentics 300. At 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) it weighs much less than the JBL Authentics 300 at 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg). It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Authentics 300 lacks. Watch for: Not as loud as others.
What the JBL Authentics 300 does well: A retro styled smart speaker with both Alexa and Google Assistant, a leather handle and battery power. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 lacks. The tradeoff: Narrow sounding, bass not as deep as others.
Buy the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3, the replacement for the discontinued Harman Kardon Go + Play 2; it is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL Authentics 300.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Measured Differences
- Close enough not to matter: maximum output (99 dB vs 100 dB).
Prices on this page were last checked November 14, 2026 at 6:17 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 | JBL Authentics 300 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $350 Discontinued | $299.95 |
| Ranked | #23 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #46 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Latency | 0ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Bluetooth Latency | 33ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) | Yes (Wi-Fi Multi-Room) |
| Power Input | AC Power brick | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Yes | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes (App EQ) |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | 100W AC / 30W battery | 100W |
| Dimensions | 20” x 9” x 9.5” (508 x 228.6 x 241.3 mm) | 13.5” x 7.7” x 7.1” (342 x 195.6 x 180.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 90mm (3.5”) woofers (front and rear firing) + 2x 20mm tweeters | 1” tweeter + 4” woofer + passive radiators |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.3 |
| Strap | No | No |
| Wi-Fi | - | Yes |
| MicroSD Playback | - | No |
| Voice Assistants | - | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2: reviews by Alan Ross.
- JBL Authentics 300: reviews by JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show, Oluv and Alan Ross.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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