Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Boombox 3 Wifi

Last updated: August 9, 2026

Short answer: the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3. It ranks #3 of 70 boombox speakers at $385; the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi ranks #20 and costs $389.95, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.

What the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 gets right: Warm sound with boosted bass. The tradeoff: Just a little over half as loud as the higher rated boomboxes.

On the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi side: Loudest speaker in the category. The tradeoff: Bass boosted.

Buy the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 if the ranking matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi if the price matters more than the ranking.

Specifications Side By Side

Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 JBL Boombox 3 Wifi
Price$385$389.95
Ranked#3 of 70 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#20 of 70 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYes (Harman Kardon One app)No
Aux Latency112ms-
Bass Extension (-10dB)35Hz43Hz
Battery Life8 hours (Manufacturer specified)24 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Built in MicrophoneYesNo
EQYes (App EQ)No
IP RatingNoneIP67
Bluetooth Latency120ms-
Max Volume103dB111dB
Power InputAC Power brickAC Power cable
StereoYesYes
TWSYesYes
Weight10.4 lbs / 4.7 kg14.6 lbs / 6.6 kg
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AACSBC
Power BankYesYes
Party ModeNoNo
USB PlaybackNoNo
Bluetooth Version5.2-
Output Power160W RMS200W AC / 140W battery
Dimensions17.28" x 9.45" x 7.56" (439 x 240 x 192 mm)484mm x 256mm x 200mm
Aux InputYesYes
Drivers1x 130mm (5") subwoofer + 2x 70mm midrange drivers + 2x 20mm tweeters1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters
Wifi-Yes

The Two Speakers In Full

Harman Kardon Go + Play 3: $385 Amazon Ebay Refurbished

Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 ranking card

Pros: Warm sound with boosted bass. Deepest bass out of any speaker in this size. Sound is more natural than the Go + Play2.

Cons: Just a little over half as loud as the higher rated boomboxes. Only 8 hours of battery at medium volume. No water rating.

Setup: Use the hidden EQ modes to adjust the bass up when outside and down when inside. To adjust bass, quickly press the bluetooth and volume down buttons together, the number of light flashes tell you what mode you’re in. To adjust treble, quickly press the volume up and phone buttons at the same time, the number of yellow flashes on the light tell you what mode you are in.

AppYes (Harman Kardon One app)
Aux InputYes
Aux Latency112ms
Bass Extension (-10dB)35Hz
Battery Life8 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC
Bluetooth Latency120ms
Bluetooth Version5.2
Built in MicrophoneYes
Dimensions17.28" x 9.45" x 7.56" (439 x 240 x 192 mm)
Drivers1x 130mm (5") subwoofer + 2x 70mm midrange drivers + 2x 20mm tweeters
EQYes (App EQ)
IP RatingNone
Max Volume103dB
Output Power160W RMS
Party ModeNo
Power BankYes
Power InputAC Power brick
StereoYes
TWSYes
USB PlaybackNo
Weight10.4 lbs / 4.7 kg
Check current price at Amazon ($385) →Check current price at Ebay Refurbished →

JBL Boombox 3 Wifi: $389.95 Amazon

JBL Boombox 3 Wifi ranking card

Pros: Loudest speaker in the category. Slightly better frequency response than the non-wifi version.

Cons: Bass boosted. Dip at 160hz

AppNo
Aux InputYes
Bass Extension (-10dB)43Hz
Battery Life24 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Built in MicrophoneNo
Dimensions484mm x 256mm x 200mm
Drivers1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters
EQNo
IP RatingIP67
Max Volume111dB
Output Power200W AC / 140W battery
Party ModeNo
Power BankYes
Power InputAC Power cable
StereoYes
TWSYes
USB PlaybackNo
Weight14.6 lbs / 6.6 kg
WifiYes
Check current price at Amazon ($389.95) →

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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.