Short answer: it comes down to bass and warmth versus battery and water resistance. The Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 ranks #3 of 113 boombox speakers at $385. The JBL Partybox Encore 2 ranks #4 at $330, $55 less.
The Go + Play 3’s case rests almost entirely on its low end. Its Pros callout calls it the deepest bass out of any speaker in this size, with a warm, boosted sound its own notes say is more natural than the previous Go + Play 2. The cost is output: its cons callout says it is just a little over half as loud as the higher-rated boomboxes in this class.
The Partybox Encore 2 wins on nearly everything else. Its move to dome tweeters over cone drivers appears to improve off-axis performance compared to the previous-generation Encore, and it goes slightly deeper and is a little less rolled off in the highs than that older Encore too. It also includes two wireless microphones at no extra cost.
There is a real battery-life gap: the Encore 2 is rated for 15 hours against 8 hours for the Go + Play 3.
Water resistance is not close either: the Encore 2 carries an IPX4 rating; the Go + Play 3 has none.
Buy the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 if warm, boosted bass matters more than raw volume, battery life, or water resistance.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore 2 if you want longer battery life, splash resistance, and the included wireless microphones, for less money.
Water resistance is not close: the JBL Partybox Encore 2 is rated at IPX4 (splashing), well ahead of the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 at no water resistance.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 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.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 | JBL Partybox Encore 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $385 | $330 |
| Ranked | #3 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #4 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
| Aux Latency | 112ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz | 42Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | Yes (7 band App EQ) |
| IP Rating | None | IPX4 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 120ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 103dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Power Input | AC Power brick | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 10.4 lbs (4.7 kg) | 14.1 lbs (6.4 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC |
| Power Bank | Yes | Yes (USB-C) |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Auracast) |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.4 |
| Amplifier Power | 160W RMS | 100W RMS |
| Dimensions | 17.3” x 9.4” x 7.6” (439 x 240 x 192 mm) | 12.6” x 13.3” x 10.4” (319.5 x 338.6 x 263 mm) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x 130mm (5”) subwoofer + 2x 70mm midrange drivers + 2x 20mm tweeters | 1x 135mm (5.25”) woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75”) dome tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | No |
| Removable Battery | - | Yes |
| Wireless Microphones | - | Yes 2 Included |
| Lights | - | Yes |
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