Short answer: the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3. It ranks #3 of 113 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $385. The W-King X20S ranks #30, rated 3.8/5, at $150.99, $234.01 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
Reviewers disagreed. One found the X20S clearer with nicer, more exposed mids, deeper bass with its bass boost on and more volume, and preferred it. Another rated it right at the Go + Play 3’s level with a bit more deep bass and volume. The Go + Play 3 is punchier with a bigger soundscape and detail, but cooler and more withdrawn in the mids.
Caveats on the X20S: with a flat EQ its bass is cut off, and at max volume its mids and highs drown out the bass. Its rating comes from listening comparisons, not measurements.
Features: the X20S is IPX7 with FM radio, TF and USB playback and a shoulder strap. The Go + Play 3 has no water rating and claims 8 hours.
Buy the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $234.01 with the W-King X20S does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
If battery life is a priority, the W-King X20S is rated for 24 hours versus 8 hours for the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3.
If water resistance matters to you, the W-King X20S at IPX7 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 at no water resistance.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Prices on this page were last checked November 11, 2026 at 3:26 AM 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 | W-King X20S | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $385 | $150.99 |
| Ranked | #3 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #30 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) | Yes (W-KING) |
| Aux Latency | 112ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | Yes |
| IP Rating | None | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 120ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 103dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Power Input | AC Power brick | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Partially |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 10.4 lbs (4.7 kg) | 13.8 lbs (6.25 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | - |
| Power Bank | Yes | - |
| Party Mode | No | - |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.4 |
| Amplifier Power | 160W RMS | 140W RMS (180W peak) |
| Dimensions | 17.3” x 9.4” x 7.6” (439 x 240 x 192 mm) | 7.6”H x 17.4”W x 9.4”D (192 x 442 x 240 mm) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x 130mm (5”) subwoofer + 2x 70mm midrange drivers + 2x 20mm tweeters | 1x 6.5” subwoofer, 2x 1.1” tweeters, 2x passive radiator |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Strap | No | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
| FM Tuner | - | Yes |
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
- 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!!!
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