Short answer: the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 for better sound quality, the Zealot ZE01 for the lower price. The Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 ranks #18 of 73 boombox speakers at $350. The Zealot ZE01 ranks #25 at $126.02, $223.98 cheaper.
The case for the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2: Warm sound with boosted bass. The tradeoff: Not as loud as others.
What the Zealot ZE01 gets right: Appears to be the same internals as the S95. The catch: A little rolled off up top and not that balanced through the rest of the range.
Buy the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Zealot ZE01 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the Zealot ZE01 is rated for 40 hours versus 8 hours for the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2.
If water resistance matters to you, the Zealot ZE01 at IPX6 (powerful water jets) holds up far better than the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 at no water resistance.

Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 | Zealot ZE01 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $350 Discontinued | $126.02 |
| Ranked | #18 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #25 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Latency | 0ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | IPX6 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 33ms | - |
| Max Volume | 99dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power brick | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | Yes (multiple modes) |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Output Power | 100W AC / 30W battery | 120W RMS / 150W peak |
| Dimensions | 20" x 9" x 9.5" (508 x 228.6 x 241.3 mm) | 13.1" x 11.2" x 8.1" (332 x 284 x 207 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 90mm (3.5") woofers (front and rear firing) + 2x 20mm tweeters | Dual 120mm speakers + dual 42mm speakers |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs / 2.4 kg | 13.2 lbs / 6.0 kg |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
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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? ✔
- 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!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Reddit Search for Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 Review
- 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 Zealot S89
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs JBL Boombox 3
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs Zealot ZE21
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs Zealot ZE41
- See all 27 comparisons
Zealot ZE01: $126.02 Aliexpress Amazon
Pros: Appears to be the same internals as the S95
Cons: A little rolled off up top and not that balanced through the rest of the range. Clarity isn’t as good as better speakers.
Full Zealot ZE01 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 13.1" x 11.2" x 8.1" (332 x 284 x 207 mm) |
| Drivers | Dual 120mm speakers + dual 42mm speakers |
| EQ | Yes (multiple modes) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 120W RMS / 150W peak |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs / 6.0 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Bullionix_Gadgets_Reviews: ZEALOT ZE-01 VS ZEALOT S-95! 😱: Sound Comparison!!!
- Techder Audios: ZEALOT S89 VS ZEALOT ZE01 EXTREME POWERFULL VS COMPACTER BASS PERFORMANCE!
- Techder Audios: Zealot ZE01 VS Tronsmart Bang Max SOLID VOCALS VS DEEPER BASS
- Techder Audios: Zealot ZE01 VS Xdobo BMTL Wow Max DEEPER BASS VS LOUDER BASS?!
- Reddit Search for Zealot ZE01 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons

