Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 is the better pick: it ranks #23 of 91 boombox speakers by sound quality (rated 3.9/5), against #87 (rated 2.1/5) for the Turtlebox. If you want one new, the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 replaces the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 and is rated 4.4/5 at $385.
The Turtlebox is the longer-running, tougher option. Waterproof and crushproof, loud with punchy bass. It is rated for 25 hours of battery against 8 for the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2. It is rated IP67, while the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 has no water resistance. The catch: Sounds basically identical to the later Turtlebox Gen 2 and Turtlebox Gen 3: each generation mainly added features, not sound quality.
The Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass option. Claimed 8 hours (manufacturer specified) battery life, up to 99db and stereo playback make its feature set practical for its intended room or portable use. Its bass reaches about 40Hz before falling 10dB, against 65Hz for the Turtlebox. At 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) it weighs much less than the Turtlebox at 10 lbs (4.54 kg). It links with other speakers (Wireless Dual Sound), which the Turtlebox cannot. The tradeoff: Not as loud as others.
Buy the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, buy the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3, which replaces the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Turtlebox | Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329 Discontinued | $350 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #87 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #23 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~65Hz | 40Hz |
| 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) | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power brick | AC Power brick |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.0 | 4.1 |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | 100W AC / 30W battery |
| Dimensions | 12” x 7” x 8.7” (305 x 178 x 222 mm) | 20” x 9” x 9.5” (508 x 228.6 x 241.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 6x9” (152x228mm) woofer + 1x 1” (25mm) tweeter | 2x 90mm (3.5”) woofers (front and rear firing) + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Latency | - | 0ms |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 33ms |
| Maximum SPL | - | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Strap | - | No |
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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: $329 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Turtlebox Gen 3, ranked higher, rated 2.1/5, released Feb 2025. See every Turtlebox generation.
Pros: Waterproof and crushproof, loud with punchy bass. 25 hour battery life (6 hours at full volume). Pairs with a second unit for stereo. Measured bass extension of ~65Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Sounds basically identical to the later Turtlebox Gen 2 and 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. It rattles at high volume. Nowhere near its claimed 120dB at a standard one meter distance. It charges from an external AC power brick. Inside is essentially a car audio 6x9 two way speaker in a plastic box. Discontinued.
Full Turtlebox review and specifications →
| Released | Dec 2018 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~65Hz |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| 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 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 10 lbs (4.54 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Harman Kardon Go + Play 2: $350 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3, ranked higher, rated 4.4/5, released Jul 2023. It adds power bank charging, app control, adjustable EQ and stereo pairing, but drops party mode. See every Harman Kardon Go + Play generation.
Pros: At 2.4 kg, Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 combines 2x 90mm (3.5”) woofers (front and rear firing) + 2x 20mm tweeters with Bluetooth. Claimed 8 hours (manufacturer specified) battery life, up to 99db and stereo playback make its feature set practical for its intended room or portable use. Measured bass extension of 40Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 40Hz specification. There is no companion app. No EQ adjustment. Not as loud as others. Discontinued.
Full Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100W AC / 30W battery |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 33ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 20” x 9” x 9.5” (508 x 228.6 x 241.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 90mm (3.5”) woofers (front and rear firing) + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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