Short answer: the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 for better sound quality, the JBL Boombox 3 for the lower price. The Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 ranks #3 of 73 boombox speakers at $385. The JBL Boombox 3 ranks #21 at $349.95, $35.05 cheaper.
On the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 side: Warm sound with boosted bass. Watch for: Just a little over half as loud as the higher rated boomboxes.
What the JBL Boombox 3 gets right: IP67 rated. 24 hour battery life (6.5 hour charge time). The tradeoff: Dips in mid bass range which makes the bass sound undefined, bass boosted, peaky at 700hz, not quite as good mids and treble as the Blast.
Buy the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Boombox 3 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the JBL Boombox 3 is rated for 24 hours versus 8 hours for the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Boombox 3 at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 | JBL Boombox 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $385 | $349.95 |
| Ranked | #3 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #21 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) | No |
| Aux Latency | 112ms | 25ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | No |
| IP Rating | None | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 120ms | 100ms |
| Max Volume | 103dB | 110dB |
| Power Input | AC Power brick | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 10.4 lbs / 4.7 kg | 14.8 lbs / 6.7 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC |
| Power Bank | Yes | Yes (USB-A) |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | - |
| Output Power | 160W RMS | 180W AC / 136W battery |
| Dimensions | 17.3" x 9.4" x 7.6" (439 x 240 x 192 mm) | 19" x 10.1" x 7.9" (482 x 257 x 200 mm) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x 130mm (5") subwoofer + 2x 70mm midrange drivers + 2x 20mm tweeters | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
| Microphone Input | - | No |
| MicroSD Playback | - | No |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Harman Kardon Go + Play 3: $385 Amazon
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.
Full Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 112ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 120ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 17.3" x 9.4" x 7.6" (439 x 240 x 192 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 130mm (5") subwoofer + 2x 70mm midrange drivers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Max Volume | 103dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 160W RMS |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 10.4 lbs / 4.7 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? ✔ More from alanrossreviews →
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- Oluv Patreon: Harman Kardon go+play 3 - best sounding? More from Oluv’Sone →
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JBL Boombox 3: $349.95 Amazon
Pros: IP67 rated. 24 hour battery life (6.5 hour charge time). Doubles as a power bank. PartyBoost links up to 100 compatible JBL speakers. Three-way speaker system with subwoofer.
Cons: Dips in mid bass range which makes the bass sound undefined, bass boosted, peaky at 700hz, not quite as good mids and treble as the Blast.
Full JBL Boombox 3 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 25ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19" x 10.1" x 7.9" (482 x 257 x 200 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 110dB |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 180W AC / 136W battery |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 14.8 lbs / 6.7 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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