Short answer: the JBL Boombox 4 for better sound quality, the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 for the lower price. The JBL Boombox 4 ranks #17 of 73 boombox speakers at $549.95. The Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 ranks #18 at $350, $199.95 cheaper.
What the JBL Boombox 4 offers: Pretty insane output capability for the size. Watch for: Pretty overpriced for the category.
What the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 gets right: Warm sound with boosted bass. The catch: Not as loud as others.
Buy the JBL Boombox 4 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the JBL Boombox 4 is rated for 28 hours versus 8 hours for the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Boombox 4 at IP68 (extended submersion) holds up far better than the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Boombox 4 | Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549.95 | $350 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #17 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #18 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz | 40Hz |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | No |
| IP Rating | IP68 | None |
| Bluetooth Latency | AAC 144ms, SBC 48ms | 33ms |
| Max Volume | 115dB | 99dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power brick |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs / 5.98 kg | 5.3 lbs / 2.4 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, LC3, AAC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | - |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, up to 30W) | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| FM Tuner | No | - |
| Microphone Input | No | - |
| MicroSD Playback | No | - |
| Output Power | 210W AC / 200W battery | 100W AC / 30W battery |
| Dimensions | 20.1" x 10.2" x 8.3" (510 x 260 x 210 mm) | 20" x 9" x 9.5" (508 x 228.6 x 241.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 123mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators | 2x 90mm (3.5") woofers (front and rear firing) + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Aux Latency | - | 0ms |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Boombox 4: $549.95 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: Pretty insane output capability for the size.
Cons: Pretty overpriced for the category. Better than the Boombox 3 mostly because there are more 7 EQ bands instead of just 3 and it can be better tuned. Try Oluv’s EQ for it. Out of the box sounds worse than the Boombox 3. No Aux input.
Full JBL Boombox 4 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, LC3, AAC |
| Bluetooth Latency | AAC 144ms, SBC 48ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 20.1" x 10.2" x 8.3" (510 x 260 x 210 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 123mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Max Volume | 115dB |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 210W AC / 200W battery |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, up to 30W) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs / 5.98 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 vs Boombox 3 - old one sounding better? 🤔
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 vs Earfun UBoom X - sound test
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 vs Boombox 3 - any improvement?
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 vs Partybox Encore 2 - outdoor loudness & basstest
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 - finally a real BOOMbox from JBL 👏
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 4 HUMILIATES Brane X?! Ultimate Bass Battle!
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 4 Compared to Boombox 3 & 3 WiFi – Worth the Upgrade?
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 4 distortion fest bonanza! how bad can it be lol 🤣
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Vs Zealot Ze21!!!
- Techder Audios: JBL Boombox 4 VS Zealot ZE21 BATTLE OF THE BOOMBOXES!
- Dominik Reviews: Zealot S89 vs JBL Boombox 4 - JBL Alternative? Sound Test
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Vs Zealot S89!!!
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- Reddit Search for JBL Boombox 4 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- JBL Boombox 4 vs Zealot ZE21
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- JBL Boombox 4 vs Zealot ZE41
- JBL Boombox 4 vs JBL Boombox 3 Wifi
- JBL Boombox 4 vs JBL Boombox 3
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Harman Kardon Go + Play 2: $350 Discontinued
Pros: Warm sound with boosted bass.
Cons: Not as loud as others. No water rating. Discontinued.
Full Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Latency | 0ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 33ms |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 20" x 9" x 9.5" (508 x 228.6 x 241.3 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 90mm (3.5") woofers (front and rear firing) + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 100W AC / 30W battery |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs / 2.4 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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- Alan Ross Reviews: Harman Kardon Go+ Play 2 mini or Onyx Studio 6 - best speaker for bass?
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- Alan Ross Reviews: Bag of Riddim vs Harman Kardon Go+ Play 2 - boom boom in da room! 🥳
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- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs JBL Boombox 3 Wifi
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs Zealot S89
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- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs Zealot ZE21
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs Zealot ZE41
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9
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