Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs Sony SRS-XG500

Last updated: August 28, 2026

Short answer: the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 for better sound quality, the Sony SRS-XG500 for the lower price. The Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 ranks #3 of 73 boombox speakers at $385. The Sony SRS-XG500 ranks #45 at $349, $36 cheaper.

What the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 offers: Warm sound with boosted bass. Deepest bass out of any speaker in this size. Sound is more natural than the Go + Play2. Watch for: Just a little over half as loud as the higher rated boomboxes. Only 8 hours of battery at medium volume. No water rating.

What the Sony SRS-XG500 offers: 30 hour battery life; 10-min quick-charge gives 3 hours. Battery care function stops charging at 90% to extend longevity. IP66 water/dust resistant. Two USB-A ports (one charges devices), mic/guitar inputs, AUX. Party mode links 100+ speakers. Watch for: Thuddy upper bass, not as deep bass as others. Speaker will not remain at max volume and will turn itself down automatically.

Buy the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Sony SRS-XG500 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.

Battery life favors the Sony SRS-XG500: rated for 30 hours against 8 hours for the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3.

There is a real gap in water resistance: the Sony SRS-XG500 at IP66 (powerful water jets) against the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3, which has no water resistance.

Buy the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 at Amazon ($385) →Buy the Sony SRS-XG500 at Amazon ($349.00) →

Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs Sony SRS-XG500

Specifications Side By Side

Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 Sony SRS-XG500
Price$385$349.00
Ranked#3 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#45 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYes (Harman Kardon One app)Yes (Music Center, Fiestable)
Aux Latency112ms-
Bass Extension (-10dB)35Hz49Hz
Battery Life8 hours (Manufacturer specified)30 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Built in MicrophoneYesYes
EQYes (App EQ)Yes (App + ClearAudio+)
IP RatingNoneIP66
Bluetooth Latency120ms-
Max Volume103dB-
Power InputAC Power brickUSB-C
StereoYesYes
OmnidirectionalNoNo
TWSYesYes
Weight10.4 lbs / 4.7 kg12.3 lbs / 5.6 kg
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AACSBC, AAC, LDAC
Power BankYesYes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A)
Party ModeNoYes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers)
USB PlaybackNoYes
Bluetooth Version5.25.0
Output Power160W RMS2x 25W + 2x 10W
Dimensions17.3" x 9.4" x 7.6" (439 x 240 x 192 mm)18.1" x 10.1" x 8.5" (460 x 256 x 215 mm)
Aux InputYesYes
Drivers1x 130mm (5") subwoofer + 2x 70mm midrange drivers + 2x 20mm tweeters2x 30mm tweeters + 2x 40mm mid-range + 1x 60mm woofer
Digital Aux InputNoNo
Buy the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 at Amazon ($385) →Buy the Sony SRS-XG500 at Amazon ($349.00) →

More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:

Prices on this page were last checked August 27, 2026 at 10:09 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.

As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.

The Two Speakers In Full

Harman Kardon Go + Play 3: $385 Amazon eBay

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.

Full Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 review and specifications →

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
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
Max Volume103dB
OmnidirectionalNo
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) →Search eBay for Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 →

Sony SRS-XG500: $349.00 Amazon eBay

Sony SRS-XG500 ranking card

Pros: 30 hour battery life; 10-min quick-charge gives 3 hours. Battery care function stops charging at 90% to extend longevity. IP66 water/dust resistant. Two USB-A ports (one charges devices), mic/guitar inputs, AUX. Party mode links 100+ speakers.

Cons: Thuddy upper bass, not as deep bass as others. Speaker will not remain at max volume and will turn itself down automatically.

Full Sony SRS-XG500 review and specifications →

AppYes (Music Center, Fiestable)
Aux InputYes
Bass Extension (-10dB)49Hz
Battery Life30 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC, LDAC
Bluetooth Version5.0
Built in MicrophoneYes
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions18.1" x 10.1" x 8.5" (460 x 256 x 215 mm)
Drivers2x 30mm tweeters + 2x 40mm mid-range + 1x 60mm woofer
EQYes (App + ClearAudio+)
IP RatingIP66
OmnidirectionalNo
Output Power2x 25W + 2x 10W
Party ModeYes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers)
Power BankYes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A)
Power InputUSB-C
StereoYes
TWSYes
USB PlaybackYes
Weight12.3 lbs / 5.6 kg
Check current price at Amazon ($349.00) →Search eBay for Sony SRS-XG500 →