Short answer: the Soundcore Flare 2. It ranks #105 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $80; the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 ranks #120 and costs $200, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
What the Soundcore Flare 2 offers: Try Alan Ross’s EQ for it Watch for: Rolled off treble. Thuddy bass. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear.
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 Soundcore Flare 2. 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 water resistance matters to you, the Soundcore Flare 2 at IPX7 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 at IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Flare 2 | Harman Kardon Esquire 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $80 | $200 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #105 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #120 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Latency | 80ms | - |
| Max Volume | 99dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 600 g | 0.8 lbs / 0.35 kg |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX4 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 4.1 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Drivers | 2x full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators | 4x 1.25" (32mm) full-range drivers |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Output Power | 20W | 16W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Dimensions | - | 7.5" x 5.1" x 1.3" (190 x 130 x 34 mm) |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A) |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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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
Soundcore Flare 2: $80 Amazon eBay
Pros: Try Alan Ross’s EQ for it
Cons: Rolled off treble. Thuddy bass. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear.
Full Soundcore Flare 2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 80ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Drivers | 2x full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 20W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 600 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Sony SRS-XB30
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs W-King D8 Mini
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Teufel Rockster Go
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs B&O Beosound Explore
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Marshall Emberton II
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini+
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Sony SRS-XE200
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Marshall Emberton III
- See all 73 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 Sony SRS-XE200
- 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
- See all 71 comparisons