These sit in different size classes, so this is not a straight ranking comparison. The Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 ranks #18 of 70 boombox speakers at $350; the JBL Xtreme 5 ranks #2 of 75 large speakers at $349.95.
The case for the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2: Warm sound with boosted bass. Set against that: Not as loud as others.
What the JBL Xtreme 5 gets right: Removable battery. The tradeoff: High priced.
One note: the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 is discontinued, but it still ranks #18 of 70 boombox speakers, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 at $350 if you want a boombox speaker. Buy the JBL Xtreme 5 at $349.95 if you want a large speaker instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 | JBL Xtreme 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $350 Discontinued | $349.95 |
| Ranked | #18 of 70 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #2 of 75 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Latency | 0ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | IP68 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 33ms | - |
| Max Volume | 99dB | 110dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (up to 2 speakers) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Input | AC Power brick | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| App | No | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes (7 band) |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Power Bank | No | Yes |
| USB Playback | No | - |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Output Power | 100W AC / 30W battery | 1 x 90W RMS Woofer + 2 x 20W RMS Tweeter (AC power mode) 1 x 60W RMS Woofer + 2 x 15W RMS Tweeter (Battery mode) |
| Dimensions | 20" x 9" x 9.5" | 13.6" x 6.5" x 6.1" (346 x 165 x 155 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 90mm (3.5") woofers (front and rear firing) + 2x 20mm tweeters | 98x145mm woofer, 2x 20mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs / 2.4 kg | 6.4 lbs / 2.9 kg |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | - | No |
| Removable Battery | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 6.0 |
| Frequency Response | - | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| USB Audio | - | Yes |
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.
| 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 |
| Dimensions | 20" x 9" x 9.5" |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 90mm (3.5") woofers (front and rear firing) + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Output Power | 100W AC / 30W battery |
| Party Mode | Yes (up to 2 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs / 2.4 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Harman Kardon Go+ Play 3 vs Go Play 2, the holy grail has arrived? ✔
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 2 bass monster or the mature Harman Kardon Go+ Play 2 mini for bass?? 💥
- 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
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bag of Riddim vs Harman Kardon Go+ Play 2 - boom boom in da room! 🥳
- Alan Ross Reviews: HK Go+ Play vs Soundcore Motion Boom - biggest bass battle ever!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Buy Used
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
JBL Xtreme 5: $349.95 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: Removable battery. Quite deep bass. A fantastic sounding speaker
Cons: High priced. Some bass boost. A hole in the mid-upper bass which can’t be EQ’d out
Setup: Try this Oluv EQ for the most neutral sound
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Dimensions | 13.6" x 6.5" x 6.1" (346 x 165 x 155 mm) |
| Drivers | 98x145mm woofer, 2x 20mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Max Volume | 110dB |
| Output Power | 1 x 90W RMS Woofer + 2 x 20W RMS Tweeter (AC power mode) 1 x 60W RMS Woofer + 2 x 15W RMS Tweeter (Battery mode) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Audio | Yes |
| Weight | 6.4 lbs / 2.9 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone🔈3DAudio🎧& Music: JBL Xtreme 5 - universal EQ for best sound overall
- Joy & Oluv’Sone🔈3DAudio🎧& Music: JBL Xtreme 5 - Best Bluetooth Speaker 2026 award
- Joy & Oluv’Sone🔈3DAudio🎧& Music: JBL Xtreme 5 vs Studio Monitors: too V-shaped or not to V-shaped, that’s the question!
- Joy & Oluv’Sone🔈3DAudio🎧& Music: JBL Xtreme 5 - outdoor test
- Joy & Oluv’Sone🔈3DAudio🎧& Music: Minirigs 4 with Sub 4 vs JBL Xtreme 5 - 1st impressions
- Oluv Patreon: VIFA Helsinki & JBL Xtreme 5 - listening test
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Xtreme 5 - 1st detailed impression with custom EQs
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Xtreme 5 - outdoor test
- Alan Ross Reviews: Brane X vs JBL Xtreme 5: Maximum Bass, No Mercy
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 5 2026, massive upgrade over JBL Xtreme 4! Full tests!
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 5 vs JBL Xtreme 4 in 2026
- Alan Ross Reviews: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5ImoaGw3t0
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 5 or the amazing Tribit Stormbox Blast? 🤔
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Tribit Stormbox Lava
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Vifa Helsinki
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Brane X
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Minirig mk4 with subwoofer
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Minirig mk3 with subwoofer
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Minirig mk2 with subwoofer
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Vifa Oslo
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Soundcore Boom 2
- See all 28 comparisons
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.