Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore

Last updated: October 1, 2026

Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore on value, the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 on placement. The Encore is a great-sounding party speaker with somewhat boosted bass and costs $230, though it manages only 10 hours at medium volume. The Go + Play 3 ranks #3 of 90 and is warm with boosted bass, but it is just over half as loud as the higher-rated boomboxes.

Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore

Buy the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the JBL Partybox Encore is discontinued.

Water resistance is not close: the JBL Partybox Encore is rated at IPX4 (splashing), well ahead of the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 at no water resistance.

Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.

Buy the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 at Amazon ($385) →Buy the JBL Partybox Encore at Walmart ($230) →

Specifications Side By Side

Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 JBL Partybox Encore
Price$385$230 Discontinued
Ranked#3 of 90 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#7 of 90 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYes (Harman Kardon One app)Yes (JBL PartyBox app)
Aux Latency112ms17ms
Bass Extension (-10dB)35Hz38Hz
Battery Life8 hours (Manufacturer specified)6 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Built-in MicrophoneYesNo
EQYes (App EQ)Yes (3 band App EQ)
IP RatingNoneIPX4
Bluetooth Latency120ms100ms
Maximum SPL103dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
Power InputAC Power brickAC Power cord
StereoYesYes
OmnidirectionalNoNo
TWSYesYes
Weight10.4 lbs (4.7 kg)13.9 lbs (6.3 kg)
BluetoothYesYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AACSBC
Power BankYesYes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A)
Party ModeNoYes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers)
USB PlaybackNoYes
Bluetooth Version5.25.1
Amplifier Power160W RMS100W RMS
Dimensions17.3” x 9.4” x 7.6” (439 x 240 x 192 mm)10.9” x 12.9” x 11.5” (276 x 327 x 293 mm)
Aux InputYesYes
Drivers1x 130mm (5”) subwoofer + 2x 70mm midrange drivers + 2x 20mm tweeters135mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters
Digital Aux InputNoNo
StrapNo-
Wireless Microphones-Yes 2 Included
Buy the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 at Amazon ($385) →Buy the JBL Partybox Encore at Walmart ($230) →

More worthwhile head-to-heads for Harman Kardon Go + Play 3:

Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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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The Two Speakers In Full

Harman Kardon Go + Play 3: $385 Amazon eBay

Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 ranking card

Older model: the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.9/5).

Pros: Warm sound with boosted bass. Deepest bass out of any speaker in this size. Sound is more natural than the Go + Play2. An aux input, a built-in microphone, a power bank function, stereo pairing and hidden button combinations for adjusting bass and treble. Measured bass extension of 35Hz (-10dB).

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 →

Amplifier Power160W RMS
AppYes (Harman Kardon One app)
Aux InputYes
Aux Latency112ms
Bass Extension (-10dB)35Hz
Battery Life8 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC
Bluetooth Latency120ms
Bluetooth Version5.2
Built-in MicrophoneYes
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions17.3” x 9.4” x 7.6” (439 x 240 x 192 mm)
Drivers1x 130mm (5”) subwoofer + 2x 70mm midrange drivers + 2x 20mm tweeters
EQYes (App EQ)
IP RatingNone
Maximum SPL103dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeNo
Power BankYes
Power InputAC Power brick
StereoYes
StrapNo
TWSYes
USB PlaybackNo
Weight10.4 lbs (4.7 kg)
Check current price at Amazon ($385) →Search eBay for Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 →

JBL Partybox Encore: $230 Discontinued Walmart eBay

JBL Partybox Encore ranking card

Newer model: the JBL Partybox Encore 2, ranked higher, rated 4.4/5.

Pros: JBL Partybox Encore uses 135mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters. Its 6.3 kg, claimed 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IPX4 protection, aux input, up to 110dB and stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. A great sounding party speaker with somewhat boosted bass and two included wireless microphones. Measured bass extension of 38Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Bass is limited by its 38Hz specification. Only IPX4 splash resistance. Discontinued.

Full JBL Partybox Encore review and specifications →

Amplifier Power100W RMS
AppYes (JBL PartyBox app)
Aux InputYes
Aux Latency17ms
Bass Extension (-10dB)38Hz
Battery Life6 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Latency100ms
Bluetooth Version5.1
Built-in MicrophoneNo
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions10.9” x 12.9” x 11.5” (276 x 327 x 293 mm)
Drivers135mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters
EQYes (3 band App EQ)
IP RatingIPX4
Maximum SPL110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers)
Power BankYes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A)
Power InputAC Power cord
StereoYes
TWSYes
USB PlaybackYes
Weight13.9 lbs (6.3 kg)
Wireless MicrophonesYes 2 Included
Check current price at Walmart ($230) →Search eBay for JBL Partybox Encore →