Short answer: the LG Xboom Go PL5, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #125 of 150 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 2.4/5, at $179; the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 ranks #131, rated 2.3/5, and costs $200, so there is little reason to consider the other one. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 150 medium speakers; for better sound, the Earfun Uboom L ranks #1 at $49.79.
The case for the LG Xboom Go PL5: 18 hour battery life; IPX5 rated. The tradeoff: Barely any bass.
Why pick the Harman Kardon Esquire 2: Doubles as a conferencing speakerphone with a 4-mic array and noise/echo cancellation. Watch for: Bass is weak, vocal and instrument separation is underwhelming and sounds tinny at high volume.
One note: the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 is no longer in production and isn’t widely stocked new anymore.
Buy the LG Xboom Go PL5. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| LG Xboom Go PL5 | Harman Kardon Esquire 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $179.00 | $200 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #125 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #131 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 71Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs (640 g) | 0.8 lbs (0.35 kg) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 | IPX4 |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC |
| Dimensions | 7.9” x 3.1” x 3.1” (201 x 79 x 79 mm) | 7.5” x 5.1” x 1.3” (190 x 130 x 34 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 1.75-inch woofers + 2x passive radiators | 4x 1.25” (32mm) full-range drivers |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Party Link, up to 100 speakers) | - |
| App | Yes (LG XBOOM App) | No |
| EQ | Yes (via app) | No |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Amplifier Power | 20W | 16W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 4.1 |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A) |
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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
LG Xboom Go PL5: $179.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: 18 hour battery life; IPX5 rated. LED lights sync to music via the LG XBOOM app; Wireless Party Link connects up to 100 speakers. USB-C charging. Measured bass extension of 71Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Barely any bass. 14kHz peak, bright on top. Soundboost mode makes the top end even harsher.
Full LG Xboom Go PL5 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 20W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (LG XBOOM App) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 71Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.9” x 3.1” x 3.1” (201 x 79 x 79 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 1.75-inch woofers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (via app) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Party Link, up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs (640 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- LG Xboom Go PL5 vs LG Xboom XG5
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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 →
| Amplifier Power | 16W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| 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) |
| Drivers | 4x 1.25” (32mm) full-range drivers |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| 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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Harman Kardon Esquire 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini
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