Sony SRS-XB20 vs Harman Kardon Esquire 2

Last updated: August 28, 2026

Short answer: the Sony SRS-XB20. It ranks #94 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $129; the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 ranks #120 and costs $200, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.

What the Sony SRS-XB20 offers: IPX5 rated pill shape slides easily into a bag. 12 hour battery life. Watch for: Sounds thin at higher volumes. Bass falls away quickly.

What the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 offers: 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. Watch for: Bass is weak, vocal and instrument separation is underwhelming and sounds tinny at high volume

Buy the Sony SRS-XB20. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 and costs less, which settles it without a real tradeoff to make.

Skip the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 if sound quality matters to you. It ranks near the bottom of the 136 medium speakers.

Sony SRS-XB20 vs Harman Kardon Esquire 2

Specifications Side By Side

Sony SRS-XB20 Harman Kardon Esquire 2
Price$129$200 Discontinued
Ranked#94 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#120 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
Aux InputYesYes
Battery Life12 hours (Manufacturer specified)8 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Party ModeYes (Partychain up to 100 speakers)-
Weight1.3 lbs / 590 g0.8 lbs / 0.35 kg
IP RatingIPX5IPX4
Bluetooth Version4.24.1
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC, LDAC-
Dimensions7.8" x 2.7" x 2.7" (198 x 68 x 69 mm)7.5" x 5.1" x 1.3" (190 x 130 x 34 mm)
TWSYesNo
StereoYesNo
OmnidirectionalNoNo
AppYes (SongPal)-
EQNo-
Built in MicrophoneYesYes
Power InputMicro USBMicro USB
Power BankNoYes (USB-A)
Output Power20W16W
Drivers2x 42mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators4x 1.25" (32mm) full-range drivers
Digital Aux InputNoNo
Discontinued-Yes

Other pairings from the same speaker class worth checking:

Prices on this page were last checked August 27, 2026 at 10:09 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

Sony SRS-XB20: $129 eBay

Sony SRS-XB20 ranking card

Pros: IPX5 rated pill shape slides easily into a bag. 12 hour battery life.

Cons: Sounds thin at higher volumes. Bass falls away quickly.

Full Sony SRS-XB20 review and specifications →

AppYes (SongPal)
Aux InputYes
Battery Life12 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC, LDAC
Bluetooth Version4.2
Built in MicrophoneYes
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions7.8" x 2.7" x 2.7" (198 x 68 x 69 mm)
Drivers2x 42mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators
EQNo
IP RatingIPX5
OmnidirectionalNo
Output Power20W
Party ModeYes (Partychain up to 100 speakers)
Power BankNo
Power InputMicro USB
StereoYes
TWSYes
Weight1.3 lbs / 590 g
Search eBay for Sony SRS-XB20 →

Harman Kardon Esquire 2: $200 Discontinued eBay

Harman Kardon Esquire 2 ranking card

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 InputYes
Battery Life8 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth Version4.1
Built in MicrophoneYes
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions7.5" x 5.1" x 1.3" (190 x 130 x 34 mm)
DiscontinuedYes
Drivers4x 1.25" (32mm) full-range drivers
IP RatingIPX4
OmnidirectionalNo
Output Power16W
Power BankYes (USB-A)
Power InputMicro USB
StereoNo
TWSNo
Weight0.8 lbs / 0.35 kg
Search eBay for Harman Kardon Esquire 2 →