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 113 boombox speakers by sound quality (rated 3.9/5), against #106 (rated 2.1/5) for the Turtlebox Gen 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, 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 65Hz for the Turtlebox Gen 2. At 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) it weighs much less than the Turtlebox Gen 2 at 10 lbs (4.54 kg). It links with other speakers (Wireless Dual Sound), which the Turtlebox Gen 2 cannot. Watch for: Not as loud as others.
The Turtlebox Gen 2 is the longer-running, tougher pick. A loud, waterproof and crushproof outdoor speaker with a big battery, device charging and stereo pairing. It is rated for 25 hours of battery against 8 for the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2. It is rated IP67, while the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 has no water resistance. The tradeoff: Sounds basically identical to the original and the Turtlebox Gen 3: each generation mainly added features, not sound quality.
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.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Measured Differences
- Output: the Turtlebox Gen 2 was measured at 104 dB maximum against 99 dB for the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2, so it gets somewhat louder before it runs out of headroom.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 | Turtlebox Gen 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $350 Discontinued | $400 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #23 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #106 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Latency | 0ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz | ~65Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 33ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 104dB (measured by Outeraudio) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power brick | DC Barrel Connector (15V/3A) |
| 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-C) |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Amplifier Power | 100W AC / 30W battery | 50W |
| Dimensions | 20” x 9” x 9.5” (508 x 228.6 x 241.3 mm) | 12” x 7” x 8.7” (305 x 178 x 222 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 90mm (3.5”) woofers (front and rear firing) + 2x 20mm tweeters | 1x 6x9” (152x228mm) woofer + 1x 1” (25mm) tweeter |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) | 10 lbs (4.54 kg) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.0 |
| Strap | No | No |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
| Battery Capacity | - | 85Wh |
| Charging Time | - | 3 hours |
| Microphone Input | - | Yes (3.5mm) |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2: reviews by Alan Ross.
- Turtlebox Gen 2: reviews by KosherTech, R J and Outeraudio.
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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