Short answer: the JBL Go 5. It ranks #24 of 47 small speakers by sound quality at $44.95; the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 ranks #42 and costs $100, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the JBL Go 5 side: IP68 rating, up from the Go 4’s IP67. Set against that: Still overpriced for what it delivers, not very different from the Go 4 besides the lights.
What the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 offers: Doubles as a hands-free speakerphone and USB power bank. Watch for: Huge lack of bass.
Buy the JBL Go 5. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2. It ranks near the bottom of the 47 small speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Go 5 at IP68 (extended submersion) holds up far better than the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Go 5 | Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $44.95 | $100 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #24 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #42 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | 8 hours, 10 with Playtime Boost (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IP68 | None |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes (AirTouch tap-to-pair) | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs / 230 g | 0.6 lbs / 250 g |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | 4.2 |
| Frequency Response | 100Hz - 19kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 130Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 4" x 3" x 1.7" (101 x 77 x 43 mm) | 5.5" x 3" x 1" (140 x 75.2 x 26.1 mm) |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | 3 hours |
| Drivers | 45mm | 2x 44.5mm (~1.75") full-range drivers |
| Output Power | 4.8W | 8W |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~120Hz |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- JBL Go 4 vs Vifa City
- Harman Kardon Neo vs Noxgear 39g
- JBL Clip vs Harman Kardon Neo
- Bose Soundlink Micro 2 vs JBL Go 5
- JBL Clip 3 vs Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Go 5: $44.95 Amazon
Pros: IP68 rating, up from the Go 4’s IP67. AirTouch tap-to-pair stereo linking. 7-band custom app EQ, up from the Go 4’s 5-band. USB-C wired audio input.
Cons: Still overpriced for what it delivers, not very different from the Go 4 besides the lights. Still lacking bass and not very clear overall. Mono downmixing produces an audible growling artifact, the same issue noted on the JBL Charge 6. Falls well short of similarly priced rivals like the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2. Weak off-axis dispersion and an uneven, upper-mid-heavy tonal balance. Doesn’t get meaningfully louder at max volume, just harsher.
Full JBL Go 5 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 8 hours, 10 with Playtime Boost (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 4" x 3" x 1.7" (101 x 77 x 43 mm) |
| Drivers | 45mm |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 100Hz - 19kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 4.8W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes (AirTouch tap-to-pair) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs / 230 g |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2: $100 Discontinued
Pros: Doubles as a hands-free speakerphone and USB power bank. Metal grille with a faux-leather back and a small kickstand. 8-10 hour battery life.
Cons: Huge lack of bass. Sounds very thin and tinny at high volume. Discontinued.
Full Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~120Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5.5" x 3" x 1" (140 x 75.2 x 26.1 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 44.5mm (~1.75") full-range drivers |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 130Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 8W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs / 250 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs Noxgear 39g
- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs JBL Clip 3
- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs JBL Clip
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