Short answer: the Sony SRS-XB13. It ranks #34 of 47 small speakers by sound quality at $69.94; the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 ranks #42 and costs $100, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the Sony SRS-XB13 side: Long battery life (~16 hours). Set against that: Not much bass.
What the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 gets right: Doubles as a hands-free speakerphone and USB power bank. The catch: Huge lack of bass.
Buy the Sony SRS-XB13. 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 battery life is a priority, the Sony SRS-XB13 is rated for 16 hours versus 10 hours for the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2.
If water resistance matters to you, the Sony SRS-XB13 at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony SRS-XB13 | Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $69.94 Discontinued | $100 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #34 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #42 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 88Hz | ~120Hz |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | None |
| Max Volume | 88dB | - |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs / 255 g | 0.6 lbs / 250 g |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| Charging Time | 4.5 hours | 3 hours |
| Drivers | 46mm | 2x 44.5mm (~1.75") full-range drivers |
| Output Power | 5W | 8W |
| Dimensions | 3" x 3.7"H (76 x 95 mm) (diameter) | 5.5" x 3" x 1" (140 x 75.2 x 26.1 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 130Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- Sony SRS-XB12 vs Harman Kardon Neo
- Harman Kardon Neo vs Lenovo 700 Ultraportable Bluetooth Speaker
- Muzen Wild Mini vs Harman Kardon Neo
- Sony SRS-XB13 vs Bose Soundlink Micro 2
- Sony SRS-XB100 vs Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2
The Two Speakers In Full
Sony SRS-XB13: $69.94 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Long battery life (~16 hours). IP67 rated. Compact with a removable strap for hanging on a bag/bike. USB-C charging.
Cons: Not much bass. Muddy sounding. Discontinued.
Full Sony SRS-XB13 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 88Hz |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 4.5 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3" x 3.7"H (76 x 95 mm) (diameter) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 46mm |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 88dB |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 5W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs / 255 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
- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs Harman Kardon Neo
- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs Lenovo 700 Ultraportable Bluetooth Speaker
- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs Sony SRS-XB12
- 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
- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs Sony SRS-XB100
- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs Tribit PocketGo
- See all 12 comparisons