Short answer: the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 ranks #18 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $350; the JBL Boombox 3 ranks #21 at $349.95. Close enough in price that the sound-quality gap is the deciding factor.
What the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 offers: Warm sound with boosted bass. Watch for: Not as loud as others.
What the JBL Boombox 3 gets right: IP67 rated. The catch: Dips in mid bass range which makes the bass sound undefined, bass boosted, peaky at 700hz, not quite as good mids and treble as the Blast.
Buy the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Boombox 3 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the JBL Boombox 3 is rated for 24 hours versus 8 hours for the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Boombox 3 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 | JBL Boombox 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $350 Discontinued | $349.95 |
| Ranked | #18 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #21 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Latency | 0ms | 25ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 33ms | 100ms |
| Max Volume | 99dB | 110dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | AC Power brick | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A) |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Output Power | 100W AC / 30W battery | 180W AC / 136W battery |
| Dimensions | 20" x 9" x 9.5" (508 x 228.6 x 241.3 mm) | 19" x 10.1" x 7.9" (482 x 257 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 | 14.8 lbs / 6.7 kg |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
| Microphone Input | - | No |
| MicroSD Playback | - | No |
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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 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| 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? ✔
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- Alan Ross Reviews: Harman Kardon Go+ Play 2 mini or Onyx Studio 6 - best speaker for bass?
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- Reddit Search for Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5
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- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9
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JBL Boombox 3: $349.95 Amazon
Pros: IP67 rated. 24 hour battery life (6.5 hour charge time). Doubles as a power bank. PartyBoost links up to 100 compatible JBL speakers. Three-way speaker system with subwoofer.
Cons: Dips in mid bass range which makes the bass sound undefined, bass boosted, peaky at 700hz, not quite as good mids and treble as the Blast.
Full JBL Boombox 3 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 25ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19" x 10.1" x 7.9" (482 x 257 x 200 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 110dB |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 180W AC / 136W battery |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 14.8 lbs / 6.7 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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