Short answer: the JBL Flip 6. It ranks #12 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $114.95; the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 ranks #120 and costs $200, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
What the JBL Flip 6 offers: A very neutral speaker, very small, almost pocket size, a huge sound quality leap over the Flip 5. Watch for: Not stereo. Some slight upper mids emphasis. The TL version (made in Vietnam) tweeter can sound somewhat scratchy and doesn’t sound as good as the GG version (made in China)
What the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 offers: Doubles as a conferencing speakerphone with a 4-mic array and noise/echo cancellation. Flat, compact design packs easily. USB charge-out for topping off a phone. Watch for: Bass is weak, vocal and instrument separation is underwhelming and sounds tinny at high volume
Buy the JBL Flip 6. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
The Harman Kardon Esquire 2 is not a sound-quality pick. It sits near the bottom of the 136 medium speakers; there are better options higher up.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the JBL Flip 6 at IP67 (brief submersion) against the Harman Kardon Esquire 2, which has IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip 6 | Harman Kardon Esquire 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $114.95 | $200 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #12 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #120 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | - |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX4 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms | - |
| Max Volume | 98dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs / 544 g | 0.8 lbs / 0.35 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 4.1 |
| Dimensions | 6.9" x 2.7" x 2.8" (176 x 68 x 72 mm) | 7.5" x 5.1" x 1.3" (190 x 130 x 34 mm) |
| Drivers | 44mm x 80mm woofer, 16mm tweeter | 4x 1.25" (32mm) full-range drivers |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Output Power | 30W | 16W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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Prices on this page were last checked August 27, 2026 at 10:09 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
JBL Flip 6: $114.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: A very neutral speaker, very small, almost pocket size, a huge sound quality leap over the Flip 5.
Cons: Not stereo. Some slight upper mids emphasis. The TL version (made in Vietnam) tweeter can sound somewhat scratchy and doesn’t sound as good as the GG version (made in China)
Full JBL Flip 6 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.9" x 2.7" x 2.8" (176 x 68 x 72 mm) |
| Drivers | 44mm x 80mm woofer, 16mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 98dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 30W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs / 544 g |
- Links
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Harman Kardon Esquire 2: $200 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Doubles as a conferencing speakerphone with a 4-mic array and noise/echo cancellation. Flat, compact design packs easily. USB charge-out for topping off a phone.
Cons: Bass is weak, vocal and instrument separation is underwhelming and sounds tinny at high volume. Discontinued.
Full Harman Kardon Esquire 2 review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.5" x 5.1" x 1.3" (190 x 130 x 34 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 4x 1.25" (32mm) full-range drivers |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 16W |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs / 0.35 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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