Short answer: the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3. It ranks #3 of 91 boombox speakers by sound quality (rated 4.4/5) at $385 and is still sold new; the Turtlebox Gen 2 ranks #86 (rated 2.1/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Turtlebox Gen 2’s replacement, the Turtlebox Gen 3, is rated 2.1/5 at $430.
The Turtlebox Gen 2 is the longer-running, tougher pick. Waterproof (IP67) and crushproof, and loud: Outeraudio measured about 104 dB at one meter. It is rated for 25 hours of battery against 8 for the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3. It is rated IP67, while the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 has no water resistance. The catch: Sounds basically identical to the original and the Turtlebox Gen 3: each generation mainly added features, not sound quality.
The Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass choice. Warm sound with boosted bass. Its bass reaches about 35Hz before falling 10dB, against 65Hz for the Turtlebox Gen 2. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the Turtlebox Gen 2 lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Turtlebox Gen 2 lacks. The tradeoff: Just a little over half as loud as the higher rated boomboxes.
Buy the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Turtlebox Gen 2 is no longer sold new.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Turtlebox Gen 2 | Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $400 Discontinued | $385 |
| Ranked | #86 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #3 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~65Hz | 35Hz |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | None |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 10 lbs (4.54 kg) | 10.4 lbs (4.7 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| App | No | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) |
| EQ | No | Yes (App EQ) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (15V/3A) | AC Power brick |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.2 |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | 160W RMS |
| Dimensions | 12” x 7” x 8.7” (305 x 178 x 222 mm) | 17.3” x 9.4” x 7.6” (439 x 240 x 192 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 6x9” (152x228mm) woofer + 1x 1” (25mm) tweeter | 1x 130mm (5”) subwoofer + 2x 70mm midrange drivers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | No |
| Battery Capacity | 85Wh | - |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | - |
| Microphone Input | Yes (3.5mm) | - |
| Maximum SPL | 104dB (measured by Outeraudio) | 103dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Aux Latency | - | 112ms |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 120ms |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 compares with other leading options:
- EarFun Uboom X vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore
Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 AM 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
Turtlebox Gen 2: $400 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Turtlebox Gen 3, ranked higher, rated 2.1/5, released Feb 2025. It adds party mode.
Older model: the Turtlebox (ranked lower, rated 2.1/5). See every Turtlebox generation.
Pros: Waterproof (IP67) and crushproof, and loud: Outeraudio measured about 104 dB at one meter. An 85Wh battery rated for 25 hours at low volume and about 6 at full volume, a USB-C output that charges other devices, aux and 3.5mm microphone inputs, and stereo pairing with a second Gen 2. Measured bass extension of ~65Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Sounds basically identical to the original and the Turtlebox Gen 3: each generation mainly added features, not sound quality. The nearly identical Turtlebox Gen 3 measured a V shaped tuning, with boosted lows and highs and dipped mids, yet bass only down 10dB at about 65Hz, and only about 12W RMS from its amp; Turtlebox rated this one at just 50W. Outeraudio found its balance and treble middling, with slight harshness at higher volumes, and it rattles at high volume. Nowhere near its claimed 120dB at a standard one meter distance. It charges only from its own barrel plug adapter, not USB-C, and has no app, EQ or party mode. Inside is essentially a car audio 6x9 two way speaker in a plastic box. Discontinued.
Full Turtlebox Gen 2 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~65Hz |
| Battery Capacity | 85Wh |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12” x 7” x 8.7” (305 x 178 x 222 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 6x9” (152x228mm) woofer + 1x 1” (25mm) tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 104dB (measured by Outeraudio) |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (15V/3A) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 10 lbs (4.54 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Outeraudio: Turtlebox Gen 2 Review
- Outeraudio: Turtlebox vs EcoXgear Defender Sound Comparison
- Risk Profile: TurtleBox Demo Risk Profile Podcast
- Everyday Man: Soundboks Go Vs Turttlebox Vs EcoXGear Defender
- Turtlebox Audio: Turtlebox Gen 2 - Live Sound Demo
- KosherTech: Soundcore Rave VS Turtlebox- (Sound Test Only)🎧 More from KosherTech →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Harman Kardon Go + Play 3: $385 Amazon eBay
Older model: the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.9/5). See every Harman Kardon Go + Play generation.
Pros: Warm sound with boosted bass. Deepest bass out of any speaker in this size. Sound is more natural than the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2. An aux input, a built-in microphone, a power bank function, stereo pairing and hidden button combinations for adjusting bass and treble. Measured bass extension of 35Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Just a little over half as loud as the higher rated boomboxes. Only 8 hours of battery at medium volume. No water rating.
Setup: Use the hidden EQ modes to adjust the bass up when outside and down when inside. To adjust bass, quickly press the bluetooth and volume down buttons together, the number of light flashes tell you what mode you’re in. To adjust treble, quickly press the volume up and phone buttons at the same time, the number of yellow flashes on the light tell you what mode you are in.
Full Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 160W RMS |
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 112ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 120ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 17.3” x 9.4” x 7.6” (439 x 240 x 192 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 130mm (5”) subwoofer + 2x 70mm midrange drivers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Maximum SPL | 103dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 10.4 lbs (4.7 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Harman Kardon Go+ Play 3 vs Go Play 2, the holy grail has arrived? ✔ More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 hidden eq modes - world has gone crazy! 🤣
- Alan Ross Reviews: Minirig 2.1 or the Brane X or the Harman Kardon Go Play 3?
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Distortion Fest vs my favorite speaker today! I wasn’t expecting this!
- Mateusz Cholewa: BOGASING S8 Pro Max „HiFi” 🎶🧐🆚 Harman Kardon Go Play 3 „HiFi”🔊 More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- Oluv Patreon: Harman Kardon go+play 3 - best sounding? More from Oluv’Sone →
- Oluv Patreon: Harman Kardon go+play 3 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast - outdoor soundtest
- Oluv Patreon: Harman Kardon go+play 3 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - first impressions
- Mateusz Cholewa: LOEWE WE Hear Pro SUPER STEREO vs HiFi Harman Kardon Go Plus Play 3
- Mateusz Cholewa: Marshall Kilburn 3 DEEP BASS 💪vs HK Go Plus Play 3 DEEP BASS❤❤❤
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs EarFun Uboom X
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6
- See all 54 comparisons