Short answer: the Zealot S89. It ranks #16 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $193.58; the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 ranks #18 and costs $350, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Zealot S89 offers: A great value for the bass performance, play time and max volume in the boombox class. Watch for: On the heavy side.
On the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 side: Warm sound with boosted bass. Set against that: Not as loud as others.
Buy the Zealot S89. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the Zealot S89 is rated for 40 hours versus 8 hours for the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2.
If water resistance matters to you, the Zealot S89 at IPX6 (powerful water jets) holds up far better than the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Zealot S89 | Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $193.58 | $350 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #16 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #18 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz | 40Hz |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (multiple modes) | No |
| IP Rating | IPX6 | None |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| Power Input | USB-C | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 16.1 lbs / 7.3 kg | 5.3 lbs / 2.4 kg |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) | No |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Output Power | 250W | 100W AC / 30W battery |
| Dimensions | 21.2" x 10.4" x 9.4" (538 x 265 x 240 mm) | 20" x 9" x 9.5" (508 x 228.6 x 241.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 130W subwoofer + 2x 40mm drivers + 2x tweeters | 2x 90mm (3.5") woofers (front and rear firing) + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Latency | - | 0ms |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 33ms |
| Max Volume | - | 99dB |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- JBL Boombox 3 vs Zealot ZE21
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Zealot ZE21
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs Zealot ZE21
- Zealot S89 vs JBL Boombox 3
- Zealot ZE21 vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 2
The Two Speakers In Full
Zealot S89: $193.58 Aliexpress Amazon
Pros: A great value for the bass performance, play time and max volume in the boombox class. Likely the same internals as the Zealot ZE21
Cons: On the heavy side. A little rolled off up top and not that balanced through the rest of the range. Clarity isn’t as good as better speakers. Bass EQ is bloated and muddy sounding
Full Zealot S89 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 21.2" x 10.4" x 9.4" (538 x 265 x 240 mm) |
| Drivers | 130W subwoofer + 2x 40mm drivers + 2x tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (multiple modes) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 250W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 16.1 lbs / 7.3 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Oluv Patreon: Zealot S89 vs Yeahbox Boom Max3 - indoor listening test
- Oluv Patreon: Zealot S89 vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max3 - outdoor test
- Dominik Reviews: Zealot S89 vs JBL Boombox 4 - JBL Alternative? Sound Test
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Vs Zealot S89!!!
- Techder Audios: ZEALOT S89 VS ZEALOT ZE01 EXTREME POWERFULL VS COMPACTER BASS PERFORMANCE!
- Reddit Search for Zealot S89 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Zealot S89 vs JBL Boombox 4
- Zealot S89 vs Zealot ZE21
- Zealot S89 vs Zealot ZE41
- Zealot S89 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9
- Zealot S89 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5
- Zealot S89 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7
- Zealot S89 vs JBL Boombox 3 Wifi
- Zealot S89 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6
- See all 19 comparisons
Harman Kardon Go + Play 2: $350 Discontinued
Pros: Warm sound with boosted bass.
Cons: Not as loud as others. No water rating. Discontinued.
Full Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Latency | 0ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 33ms |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 20" x 9" x 9.5" (508 x 228.6 x 241.3 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 90mm (3.5") woofers (front and rear firing) + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 100W AC / 30W battery |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs / 2.4 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Harman Kardon Go+ Play 3 vs Go Play 2, the holy grail has arrived? ✔
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 2 bass monster or the mature Harman Kardon Go+ Play 2 mini for bass?? 💥
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast or Harman Kardon Go+ Play 2 Mini by an old bloke!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Harman Kardon Go+ Play 2 mini or Onyx Studio 6 - best speaker for bass?
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Motion Boom Plus vs Harman Kardon Go+ Play 2 mini - party vs HiFi
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bag of Riddim vs Harman Kardon Go+ Play 2 - boom boom in da room! 🥳
- Alan Ross Reviews: HK Go+ Play vs Soundcore Motion Boom - biggest bass battle ever!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Reddit Search for Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs JBL Boombox 4
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs JBL Boombox 3 Wifi
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs JBL Boombox 3
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs Zealot ZE21
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs Zealot ZE41
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9
- See all 27 comparisons