Short answer: the LG Xboom XG5. It ranks #115 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $99; the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 ranks #120 and costs $200, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the LG Xboom XG5 side: IP67 rated. 18 hour battery life (~17 hrs confirmed in testing) with fast USB-C charging. The catch: Peaky midrange, rolled off treble. Not very good sounding.
The case for the Harman Kardon Esquire 2: Doubles as a conferencing speakerphone with a 4-mic array and noise/echo cancellation. Set against that: Bass is weak, vocal and instrument separation is underwhelming and sounds tinny at high volume.
Buy the LG Xboom XG5. 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.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 136 medium speakers instead.
If battery life is a priority, the LG Xboom XG5 is rated for 18 hours versus 8 hours for the Harman Kardon Esquire 2.
If water resistance matters to you, the LG Xboom XG5 at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 at IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| LG Xboom XG5 | Harman Kardon Esquire 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.00 | $200 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #115 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #120 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX4 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 4.1 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | - |
| Dimensions | 8.7" x 3.3" x 3.1" (222 x 83 x 80 mm) | 7.5" x 5.1" x 1.3" (190 x 130 x 34 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 42x80mm track-type woofer + 1x passive radiator | 4x 1.25" (32mm) full-range drivers |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Party Link, up to 10 speakers) | - |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g | 0.8 lbs / 0.35 kg |
| Output Power | 20W | 16W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| TWS | - | No |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A) |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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- Harman Kardon Esquire 2 vs Ultimate Ears Roll 2
- LG Xboom Go PL5 vs LG Xboom XG5
The Two Speakers In Full
LG Xboom XG5: $99.00 Amazon
Pros: IP67 rated. 18 hour battery life (~17 hrs confirmed in testing) with fast USB-C charging. Wireless Party Link connects up to 10 speakers.
Cons: Peaky midrange, rolled off treble. Not very good sounding
Full LG Xboom XG5 review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7" x 3.3" x 3.1" (222 x 83 x 80 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 42x80mm track-type woofer + 1x passive radiator |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 20W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Party Link, up to 10 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g |
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Harman Kardon Esquire 2: $200 Discontinued
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 |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons