Short answer: the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3. It ranks #3 of 98 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $385. The Soundcore Boom 2 Pro ranks #38, rated 3.6/5, at $139.99, $245.01 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 is the better-sounding option. Warm sound with boosted bass. The catch: Just a little over half as loud as the higher rated boomboxes.
The Soundcore Boom 2 Pro is the longer-running, tougher pick. A tougher version of the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus with IP68 dust and water protection instead of IPX7, a metal front grille, and a body that floats. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 8 for the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3. It is rated IP68, while the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 has no water resistance. It links with other speakers (PartyCast 2.0), which the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 cannot. Watch for: No side-by-side sound comparisons yet, so its rating is estimated from the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus, which shares its drivers and amplifier.
Buy the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $245.01 you would save on the Soundcore Boom 2 Pro does not close the gap.
About the ratings: the Soundcore Boom 2 Pro’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 3.4 to 3.8, so this verdict could change once it is measured.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 | Soundcore Boom 2 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $385 | $139.99 |
| Ranked | #3 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #38 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers Estimated |
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 112ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | Yes (9 band custom EQ + presets) |
| IP Rating | None | IP68 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 120ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 103dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Power Input | AC Power brick | USB-C (30W fast charging, 3 hours) |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 10.4 lbs (4.7 kg) | 8.4 lbs (3.8 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC |
| Power Bank | Yes | Yes (USB-C, 10W) |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (PartyCast 2.0) |
| USB Playback | No | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.3 |
| Amplifier Power | 160W RMS | 140W |
| Dimensions | 17.3” x 9.4” x 7.6” (439 x 240 x 192 mm) | 17.4” x 9” x 5.9” (442 x 228 x 151 mm) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x 130mm (5”) subwoofer + 2x 70mm midrange drivers + 2x 20mm tweeters | 2x 111mm woofers + 2x 19mm tweeters + passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| Frequency Response | - | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Harman Kardon Go + Play 3:
- EarFun Uboom X vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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 $385 eBay
Older model: the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.9/5). See every Harman Kardon Go + Play generation.
Pros: Warm sound with boosted bass. Deepest bass out of any speaker in this size. Sound is more natural than the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2. 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 →
| Released | Jul 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 160W RMS |
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 112ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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 |
| Maximum SPL | 103dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 10.4 lbs (4.7 kg) |
- 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 →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 hidden eq modes - world has gone crazy! 🤣
- Alan Ross Reviews: Minirig 2.1 or the Brane X or the Harman Kardon Go Play 3?
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Distortion Fest vs my favorite speaker today! I wasn’t expecting this!
- Mateusz Cholewa: BOGASING S8 Pro Max „HiFi” 🎶🧐🆚 Harman Kardon Go Play 3 „HiFi”🔊 More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- Oluv Patreon: Harman Kardon go+play 3 - best sounding? More from Oluv’Sone →
- Oluv Patreon: Harman Kardon go+play 3 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast - outdoor soundtest
- Oluv Patreon: Harman Kardon go+play 3 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - first impressions
- Mateusz Cholewa: LOEWE WE Hear Pro SUPER STEREO vs HiFi Harman Kardon Go Plus Play 3
- Mateusz Cholewa: Marshall Kilburn 3 DEEP BASS 💪vs HK Go Plus Play 3 DEEP BASS❤❤❤
- Oluv Patreon: Harman Kardon go+play 3 vs Earfun UBoom X
- Mateusz Cholewa: TEUFEL Boomster 4 vs HK Go Plus Play 3 & Opinion in Subtitles
- Jagist reviews: Bugani Brief Pro Vs Harmon Kardon Go Plus Play 3!!! More from Jagistreviews →
- Jagist reviews: Bugani Boost Max Vs Harmon Kardon Go Plus Play 3!!! 😁😁😁
- Dominik Reviews: Tronsmart Fiitune X30 vs HK Go + Play 3 - No chance? - Sound Test More from Dominik Reviews →
- Mateusz Cholewa: 140W W-KING X20S vs 160W HK Go Plus Play 3
- Jagist reviews: W-king X20s Vs Harman Kardon Go Plus Play 3!!!
- Dominik Reviews: Bugani Brief Pro vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 - HiFI Sound Comparison!
- Jagist reviews: Tronsmart Fiitune X30 Vs Harmon Kardon Go Plus Play 3!!!
- Jagist reviews: Harman Kardon Go Plus Play 3 Vs W-king H330!!!
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs EarFun Uboom X
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6
- See all 63 comparisons
Soundcore Boom 2 Pro: $139.99 Estimated Woot $139.99 Lowest Walmart $197.00 Best Buy $249.99 eBay
Pros: A tougher version of the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus with IP68 dust and water protection instead of IPX7, a metal front grille, and a body that floats. Inside it is the same 140W design with two woofers and two tweeters for real stereo, plenty of bass with BassUp, a 9 band app EQ, aux input, a detachable shoulder strap, a 10W USB-C power bank and PartyCast for linking more speakers.
Cons: No side-by-side sound comparisons yet, so its rating is estimated from the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus, which shares its drivers and amplifier. That means the same warm stock tuning with upper bass boost and a dip from the upper mids into the treble that dulls vocals, and owners say it needs EQ. Reviewers found it loses fullness and gets a bit fatiguing at its very highest volume.
Full Soundcore Boom 2 Pro review and specifications →
| Released | Mar 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 140W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 17.4” x 9” x 5.9” (442 x 228 x 151 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 111mm woofers + 2x 19mm tweeters + passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (9 band custom EQ + presets) |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast 2.0) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 10W) |
| Power Input | USB-C (30W fast charging, 3 hours) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 8.4 lbs (3.8 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Boom 2 Pro vs Soundcore Boom 2 Plus
- Soundcore Boom 2 Pro vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
- Soundcore Boom 2 Pro vs JBL Boombox 3
- Soundcore Boom 2 Pro vs JBL Boombox 4
- Soundcore Boom 2 Pro vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- Soundcore Boom 2 Pro vs JBL Xtreme 3
- Soundcore Boom 2 Pro vs Ultimate Ears Epicboom
- Soundcore Boom 2 Pro vs Soundcore Boom 2
- See all 11 comparisons