Short answer: the Sony SRS-XE200. It ranks #111 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $69.99; the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 ranks #120 and costs $200, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
What the Sony SRS-XE200 offers: IP67 rated with dedicated per-function buttons. Can prop up a phone/tablet as a stand. Fast charging (10 min charge = ~70 min playback); Stamina mode extends battery when low. Watch for: Sounds hollow. Very muffled. Rolled off treble, weird midrange boost, just not great overall. Worse than a XB33.
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-XE200. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 and costs less, so the other one has nothing left to offer.
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 Sony SRS-XE200 is rated for 16 hours versus 8 hours for the Harman Kardon Esquire 2.
If water resistance matters to you, the Sony SRS-XE200 at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 at IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony SRS-XE200 | Harman Kardon Esquire 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $69.99 | $200 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #111 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #120 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs / 800 g | 0.8 lbs / 0.35 kg |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX4 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 4.1 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | - |
| Dimensions | 3.5" x 8.2" x 3.7" (90 x 208 x 94 mm) | 7.5" x 5.1" x 1.3" (190 x 130 x 34 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 42x51mm full-range + 2x passive radiators | 4x 1.25" (32mm) full-range drivers |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A) |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
| Output Power | - | 16W |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- JBL Charge 5 Wifi vs Tribit Stormbox Mini+
- Tribit Stormbox Mini+ vs Turtlebox Ranger
- W-King D320 vs Harman Kardon Esquire 2
- Sony SRS-XE200 vs Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4
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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Sony SRS-XE200: $69.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: IP67 rated with dedicated per-function buttons. Can prop up a phone/tablet as a stand. Fast charging (10 min charge = ~70 min playback); Stamina mode extends battery when low.
Cons: Sounds hollow. Very muffled. Rolled off treble, weird midrange boost, just not great overall. Worse than a XB33.
Full Sony SRS-XE200 review and specifications →
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.5" x 8.2" x 3.7" (90 x 208 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 42x51mm full-range + 2x passive radiators |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs / 800 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony SRS-XE200 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini+
- Sony SRS-XE200 vs Doss E-Go II
- Sony SRS-XE200 vs B&O Beosound Explore
- Sony SRS-XE200 vs LG Xboom Go PL5
- Sony SRS-XE200 vs LG Xboom XG5
- Sony SRS-XE200 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini
- Sony SRS-XE200 vs W-King D8 Mini
- Sony SRS-XE200 vs Soundcore Flare 2
- See all 74 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 →
| 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 |
- 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 LG Xboom Go PL5
- Harman Kardon Esquire 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini+
- Harman Kardon Esquire 2 vs Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4
- Harman Kardon Esquire 2 vs W-King D8 Mini
- Harman Kardon Esquire 2 vs Zealot S61
- See all 71 comparisons