Short answer: the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi for output, the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 for value. The Boombox 3 Wifi is the loudest speaker in the category, but its bass is boosted and it costs $389.95. The Go + Play 2 ranks #23 of 90 against #26 of 90, is warm with boosted bass and is not as loud as others, saving $39.95 rather than adding volume.
Buy the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi, since the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 is discontinued and only worth hunting down used.
Battery life favors the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi: rated for 24 hours against 8 hours for the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than 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 | JBL Boombox 3 Wifi | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $350 Discontinued | $389.95 |
| Ranked | #23 of 90 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #26 of 90 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Latency | 0ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 33ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 111dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power brick | AC Power cable |
| 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, 5V/2A) |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Amplifier Power | 100W AC / 30W battery | 200W AC / 140W battery |
| Dimensions | 20” x 9” x 9.5” (508 x 228.6 x 241.3 mm) | 19.1” x 10.1” x 7.9” (484 x 256 x 200 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 90mm (3.5”) woofers (front and rear firing) + 2x 20mm tweeters | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) | 14.6 lbs (6.6 kg) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.3 |
| Strap | No | No |
| Wi-Fi | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 compares with other leading options:
- 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 October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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
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JBL Boombox 3 Wifi: $389.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: Loudest speaker in the category. Slightly better frequency response than the non-wifi version. Measured bass extension of 43Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass boosted. Dip at 160Hz
Full JBL Boombox 3 Wifi review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 200W AC / 140W battery |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19.1” x 10.1” x 7.9” (484 x 256 x 200 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 111dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs (6.6 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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- Alan Ross Reviews: Not quite! JBL Authentics 300 review and sound test vs Boombox 3, Encore and Stormbox Blast More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: WiFi Edition: JBL Boombox 3 ultimate review! vs Boombox 3 Bluetooth edition
- Mateusz Cholewa: Soundcore Rave 3🧐 🆚 Jbl Boombox 3 WiFi
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