Short answer: the Harman Kardon Luna 2. It ranks #23 of 150 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $199.95. The JBL Flip 5 ranks #70, rated 3.3/5, at $64.97, $134.98 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The case for the Harman Kardon Luna 2: Articulate, spacious midrange with precise imaging and instrument separation. The catch: Treble can sound bright and edgy, and it loses more output off-axis than some rivals.
The case for the JBL Flip 5: Compact and light (1.1 lb) with a carry lanyard. The tradeoff: Not stereo.
One note: the JBL Flip 5 is discontinued, but it still ranks #70 of 150 medium speakers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the Harman Kardon Luna 2. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $134.98 you would save on the JBL Flip 5 does not close the gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Luna 2 | JBL Flip 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.95 | $64.97 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #23 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #70 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | Yes (4 presets + custom) | Yes (via JBL app, sunsetted in 2024) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| MicroSD Playback | No | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | No | - |
| Weight | 1.6 lbs (735 g) | 1.2 lbs (540 g) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 8.5” x 3.3” x 3.2” (216 x 84 x 81 mm) | 7.1” x 2.7” x 2.9” (181 x 69 x 74 mm) |
| Drivers | 62mm x 82mm woofer with passive radiator, 20mm tweeter | 1x 44x80mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 40W (25W woofer + 15W tweeter) | 20W RMS |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | Yes (lanyard) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 59Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 200ms |
| Maximum SPL | - | 92dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Harman Kardon Luna 2:
- Harman Kardon Luna 2 vs Earfun Uboom L
- Harman Kardon Luna 2 vs Soundcore Motion 300
- Harman Kardon Luna 2 vs Minirig 4
- Harman Kardon Luna 2 vs B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen
- Harman Kardon Luna 2 vs JBL Charge 6
Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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 Luna 2: $199.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Older model: the Harman Kardon Luna (ranked lower, rated 4/5).
Pros: Articulate, spacious midrange with precise imaging and instrument separation. Tight, well-controlled bass from the 62mm x 82mm woofer and passive radiator despite the compact body, and it stays cleaner at volume than pricier rivals like the Sonos Play. IP67 rated, and two units pair via AirTouch for true stereo sound.
Cons: Treble can sound bright and edgy, and it loses more output off-axis than some rivals. Some listeners hear mid-range rattling on certain tracks, similar to sibling JBL models. 12-hour battery life trails category leaders like the JBL Charge 6, which doubles it. Single unit is not stereo (1.1 driver layout).
Full Harman Kardon Luna 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 40W (25W woofer + 15W tweeter) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.5” x 3.3” x 3.2” (216 x 84 x 81 mm) |
| Drivers | 62mm x 82mm woofer with passive radiator, 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (4 presets + custom) |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 1.6 lbs (735 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- What Hi-Fi?: Harman Kardon Luna 2 review
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Sonos Play & Harman Kardon Luna 2 - listening test More from Oluv’Sone →
- Mateusz Cholewa: Harman Kardon Luna 2 UNBOXING vs HK Luna Short Test More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- Storytripper HD: Harman Kardon Luna vs Luna 2 More from storytripperhd →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Harman Kardon Luna 2 vs Harman Kardon Luna
- Harman Kardon Luna 2 vs Bogasing G4
- Harman Kardon Luna 2 vs Xiaomi Sound Party
- Harman Kardon Luna 2 vs JBL Charge 5 Wifi
- Harman Kardon Luna 2 vs JBL Charge 5
- Harman Kardon Luna 2 vs B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen
- Harman Kardon Luna 2 vs Soundcore Boom 3i
- Harman Kardon Luna 2 vs Miatone Boompro
- See all 122 comparisons
JBL Flip 5: $64.97 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Newer model: the JBL Flip 7, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5.
Pros: Compact and light (1.1 lb) with a carry lanyard. Charges via USB-C, topping off in about 2.5 hours. IP67 rated. Measured bass extension of 59Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not stereo. Boosted upper bass. Piercing sound when turned up. Peaky lower treble at higher volumes. Discontinued.
Full JBL Flip 5 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 200ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.1” x 2.7” x 2.9” (181 x 69 x 74 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 44x80mm fullrange |
| EQ | Yes (via JBL app, sunsetted in 2024) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 92dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (lanyard) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (540 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Beoplay A1 Denon 250bt JBL Flip 5 Anker Flare 2 More from alanrossreviews →
- DLX Willington: JBL Flip 5 vs Flip 4 :Sound Battle: Almost to the size of the JBL Charge 3? More from DLXWillington →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB23 vs JBL Flip 5 v Tribit Maxsound Plus
- Techder Audios: #JBL Flip 5 VS #JBL Flip Essential "IMPRESSIVE COMPARISON!?" More from techderaudios →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Marshall Emberton vs JBL Flip 5 & Soundcore Boost - true stereophonic 🤓
- Head-to-Head Comparisons