Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 is the better pick: it ranks #23 of 98 boombox speakers by sound quality (rated 3.9/5), against #62 (rated 3.1/5) for the Soundcore Rave Party 2. If you want one new, the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 replaces the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 and is rated 4.4/5 at $385.
The Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 is the better-sounding, lighter option. 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. At 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) it weighs much less than the Soundcore Rave Party 2 at 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg). The catch: Not as loud as others.
The Soundcore Rave Party 2 is the longer-running, tougher option. It is rated for 16 hours of battery against 8 for the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2. It is rated IPX4, while the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 has no water resistance. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 lacks. The catch: Only IPX4 splash resistance, and bass extension seems limited.
Buy the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, buy the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3, which replaces the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 | Soundcore Rave Party 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $350 Discontinued | $159.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #23 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #62 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Latency | 0ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | IPX4 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 33ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) | Yes (PartyCast 2.0 up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | AC Power brick | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | Yes (App EQ) |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A) |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Amplifier Power | 100W AC / 30W battery | 80W RMS / 120W peak |
| Dimensions | 20” x 9” x 9.5” (508 x 228.6 x 241.3 mm) | 7.5” x 7.8” x 15.7” (191 x 198 x 400 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 90mm (3.5”) woofers (front and rear firing) + 2x 20mm tweeters | 2x 4” (100mm) woofers + 2x 2” (50mm) tweeters |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.3 |
| Strap | No | No |
| Microphone Input | - | Yes (Karaoke mode with reverb effect) |
| Lights | - | 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 12, 2026 at 4:13 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, released Jul 2023. It adds power bank charging, app control, adjustable EQ and stereo pairing, but drops party mode. See every Harman Kardon Go + Play generation.
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 →
| Released | Jul 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| 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
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bag of Riddim vs Harman Kardon Go+ Play 2 - boom boom in da room! 🥳 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Harman Kardon Go+ Play 3 vs Go Play 2, the holy grail has arrived? ✔
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast or Harman Kardon Go+ Play 2 Mini by an old bloke!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Motion Boom Plus vs Harman Kardon Go+ Play 2 mini - party vs HiFi
- Alan Ross Reviews: HK Go+ Play vs Soundcore Motion Boom - biggest bass battle ever!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 2 bass monster or the mature Harman Kardon Go+ Play 2 mini for bass?? 💥
- Alan Ross Reviews: Harman Kardon Go+ Play 2 mini or Onyx Studio 6 - best speaker for bass?
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs JBL Boombox 4
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs JBL Boombox 3 Wifi
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs JBL Boombox 3
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- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
- See all 50 comparisons
Soundcore Rave Party 2: $159.99 Discontinued Amazon $159.99 eBay
Older models: the Soundcore Trance (rated 2.1/5) and the Soundcore Rave Mega (rated 2.1/5). See every Soundcore Rave Party generation.
Pros: Soundcore Rave Party 2 uses 2x 4” (100mm) woofers + 2x 2” (50mm) tweeters. Its 4.6 kg, claimed 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IPX4 protection, aux input and stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use.
Cons: There is no companion app. Only IPX4 splash resistance, and bass extension seems limited. Discontinued.
Full Soundcore Rave Party 2 review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 80W RMS / 120W peak |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.5” x 7.8” x 15.7” (191 x 198 x 400 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 4” (100mm) woofers + 2x 2” (50mm) tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with reverb effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast 2.0 up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Soundcore Rave Party 2 🔥 Unboxing & Short Sound Demo. Is This The New Speaker To Beat Under $200?💵 More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Soundcore Rave Party 2 vs. Tribit Stormbox Blast - Bluetooth Speaker Basement ⚒ Battle
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Soundcore Rave Party 2 🎇 & Rave Neo 2 🎉 Head to Head Off The Floor. A Family Battle❗️
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Skullcandy Barrel XT vs Soundcore Rave Party 2 (Stock & Custom EQ) 🛜 Battery Powered🔋Let’s Get It🧨
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Triple Threat 💸 $200 Challenge 🔋 Soundcore Rave Party 2, W-King H10, JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- Jagist reviews: Soundcore Rave Party 2 Bass Test 😍 More from Jagistreviews →
- Flossy Carter: Soundcore Rave Neo 2 / Rave Party 2 - Affordable Party Speakers with RGB Lights More from FlossyCarter →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Rave Party 2 vs Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2
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- See all 58 comparisons