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 W-King D20 ranks #39, rated 3.6/5, at $193, $192 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, deeper-bass choice. Warm sound with boosted bass. Its bass reaches about 35Hz before falling 10dB, against 42Hz for the W-King D20. At 10.4 lbs (4.7 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the W-King D20 at 14.3 lbs (6.5 kg). It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the W-King D20 lacks. The catch: Just a little over half as loud as the higher rated boomboxes.
The W-King D20 is the louder, longer-running choice. Comes with 2 wireless microphones. Alan Ross Reviews measured it at 112dB at full volume, against 103dB for the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3. It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 8 for the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3. It is rated IPX6, while the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 has no water resistance. The catch: Rising frequency response but upper treble rolled off, 700Hz and 1.2kHz peaks.
Buy the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $192 with the W-King D20 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 | W-King D20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $385 | $193 |
| Ranked | #3 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #39 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) | Yes (W-King app) |
| Aux Latency | 112ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz | ~42Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | Yes (App + button modes) |
| IP Rating | None | IPX6 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 120ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 103dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 112dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Power Input | AC Power brick | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 10.4 lbs (4.7 kg) | 14.3 lbs (6500 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC |
| Power Bank | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.3 |
| Amplifier Power | 160W RMS | 200W |
| Dimensions | 17.3” x 9.4” x 7.6” (439 x 240 x 192 mm) | 19.9” x 8.5” x 10.6” (506 x 217 x 270 mm) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x 130mm (5”) subwoofer + 2x 70mm midrange drivers + 2x 20mm tweeters | 4.5” + 3.5” drivers + 1.2” tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | - |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
| Wireless Microphones | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to 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 12, 2026 at 4:13 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
- 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
- Oluv Patreon: Harman Kardon go+play 3 vs Earfun UBoom X
- Alan Ross Reviews: Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 hidden eq modes - world has gone crazy! 🤣 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Harman Kardon Go+ Play 3 vs Go Play 2, the holy grail has arrived? ✔
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Distortion Fest vs my favorite speaker today! I wasn’t expecting this!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Minirig 2.1 or the Brane X or the Harman Kardon Go Play 3?
- Dominik Reviews: Tronsmart Fiitune X30 vs HK Go + Play 3 - No chance? - Sound Test More from Dominik Reviews →
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- Mateusz Cholewa: BOGASING S8 Pro Max „HiFi” 🎶🧐🆚 Harman Kardon Go Play 3 „HiFi”🔊 More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- Mateusz Cholewa: LOEWE WE Hear Pro SUPER STEREO vs HiFi Harman Kardon Go Plus Play 3
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- Mateusz Cholewa: TEUFEL Boomster 4 vs HK Go Plus Play 3 & Opinion in Subtitles
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- 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!!! 😁😁😁
- Jagist reviews: W-king X20s Vs Harman Kardon Go Plus Play 3!!!
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- Jagist reviews: Harman Kardon Go Plus Play 3 Vs W-king H330!!!
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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W-King D20: $193 AliExpress $193 eBay
Pros: Comes with 2 wireless microphones. Measured bass extension of ~42Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Rising frequency response but upper treble rolled off, 700Hz and 1.2kHz peaks
Full W-King D20 review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 200W |
| App | Yes (W-King app) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~42Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19.9” x 8.5” x 10.6” (506 x 217 x 270 mm) |
| Drivers | 4.5” + 3.5” drivers + 1.2” tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (App + button modes) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| Maximum SPL | 112dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 14.3 lbs (6500 g) |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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- Mateusz Cholewa: Soundcore RAVE 3 🤗v🆚s W- KING X20🎶 More from Mateusz Cholewa →
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