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) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to LG Xboom Go PL5:
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs LG Xboom Go PL5
- JBL Charge 6 vs LG Xboom Go PL5
- JBL Flip 6 vs LG Xboom Go PL5
- JBL Flip 7 vs LG Xboom Go PL5
- Xiaomi Sound Party vs LG Xboom Go PL5
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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
- LG Xboom Go PL5 vs Doss E-Go II
- LG Xboom Go PL5 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini
- LG Xboom Go PL5 vs Sony SRS-XE200
- LG Xboom Go PL5 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini+
- LG Xboom Go PL5 vs B&O Beosound Explore
- LG Xboom Go PL5 vs Marshall Emberton II
- LG Xboom Go PL5 vs Marshall Emberton III
- See all 37 comparisons
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
- Harman Kardon Esquire 2 vs LG Xboom XG5
- Harman Kardon Esquire 2 vs Ultimate Ears Roll 2
- Harman Kardon Esquire 2 vs Sony SRS-XE200
- Harman Kardon Esquire 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini+
- Harman Kardon Esquire 2 vs W-King D8 Mini
- Harman Kardon Esquire 2 vs Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4
- Harman Kardon Esquire 2 vs Soundcore Flare 2
- See all 72 comparisons


