Short answer: the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3, if you are buying new. The Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 ranks higher than the Zealot S78 (#23 vs #97 of 98 boombox speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3, is rated 4.4/5 at $385 and is still sold new.
The Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 is the better-sounding, lighter pick. 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 Zealot S78 at 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg). It links with other speakers (Wireless Dual Sound), which the Zealot S78 cannot. The catch: Not as loud as others.
The Zealot S78 is the longer-running, tougher option. A robust 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) party speaker with claimed 120W RMS output, IP67 protection, USB-C charging, a power-bank function, aux, USB and microSD playback, TWS pairing and multiple EQ modes. It is rated for 40 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. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 lacks. Watch for: At high volume, reviews report distortion and fluctuating level, so its headline power is more useful below its maximum setting.
Buy the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3, the replacement for the discontinued Harman Kardon Go + Play 2; it is rated higher for sound quality than the Zealot S78.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 | Zealot S78 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $350 Discontinued | $159.68 |
| Ranked | #23 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #97 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Latency | 0ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 33ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power brick | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | Yes (multiple modes) |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A) |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Amplifier Power | 100W AC / 30W battery | 120W RMS / 150W peak |
| Dimensions | 20” x 9” x 9.5” (508 x 228.6 x 241.3 mm) | 16.1” x 6.6” x 7.3” (410 x 167 x 185 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 90mm (3.5”) woofers (front and rear firing) + 2x 20mm tweeters | 2x ~120mm (4.72”) woofers + 2x ~42mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) | 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.3 |
| Strap | No | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Harman Kardon Go + Play 2:
- 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs Zealot S89
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs Zealot ZE21
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs Zealot ZE41
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
- See all 50 comparisons
Zealot S78: $159.68 Amazon $159.68 AliExpress $91.38 eBay
Pros: A robust 4.4kg party speaker with claimed 120W RMS output, IP67 protection, USB-C charging, a power-bank function, aux, USB and microSD playback, TWS pairing and multiple EQ modes. Reviews find it very loud with useful bass and long claimed battery life, making it a credible choice for outdoor gatherings.
Cons: At high volume, reviews report distortion and fluctuating level, so its headline power is more useful below its maximum setting. It has no app-based EQ, and the bass and midrange refinement do not match better-established boombox speakers; assess its sound in person if tonal accuracy matters.
Full Zealot S78 review and specifications →
| Released | May 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 120W RMS / 150W peak |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 16.1” x 6.6” x 7.3” (410 x 167 x 185 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x ~120mm (4.72”) woofers + 2x ~42mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (multiple modes) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: DBSOARS F29 Max vs Zealot S78 🛜 (5B) Budget Bluetooth Boombox Basement Battle 🔊 Bass Modes Enabled More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: W-King X20 vs Zealot S78 Bluetooth Boombox Battle Outdoor Tailgater Special 🚗 Let the Whoopin’ Begin
- Head-to-Head Comparisons