Short answer: the Zealot S89 for value, the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 for a warmer sound. The S89 is a great value for bass performance, play time and max volume in the boombox class, though it is heavy. The Go + Play 2 sounds warm with boosted bass but is not as loud as others, and it costs $350 against $259.99.
Buy the Zealot S89. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 is no longer sold new.
Battery life favors the Zealot S89: rated for 40 hours against 8 hours for the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2.
Water resistance is not close: the Zealot S89 is rated at IPX6 (powerful water jets), well ahead of the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 at no water resistance.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Zealot S89 | Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $259.99 | $350 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #19 of 90 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #23 of 90 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | 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 | Yes | Yes |
| 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 |
| Amplifier 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 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.1 |
| Strap | No | No |
| Aux Latency | - | 0ms |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 33ms |
| Maximum SPL | - | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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
Zealot S89: $259.99 Amazon AliExpress eBay
Pros: A 7.3kg boombox with a claimed 36Hz bass extension, 40-hour battery life, IPX6 protection, USB-C charging, aux, USB and microSD playback, TWS and multi-speaker PartyAdd. Listener comparisons find it capable of very high output and substantial bass for outdoor use. A great value for its bass, battery life and maximum volume. Measured bass extension of 36Hz (-10dB).
Cons: At high volume, listener reports describe the bass as loose or muddy and the overall balance as less clear than better boombox speakers. The heavy cabinet and basic finish also make it less polished for daily portability, while its multiple EQ modes cannot substitute for a genuinely neutral tuning.
Full Zealot S89 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 250W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| 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 |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 16.1 lbs (7.3 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Oluv Patreon: Zealot S89 vs Yeahbox Boom Max3 - indoor listening test More from Oluv’Sone →
- Oluv Patreon: Zealot S89 vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max3 - outdoor test
- Dominik Reviews: Zealot S89 vs JBL Boombox 4 - JBL Alternative? Sound Test More from Dominik Reviews →
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Vs Zealot S89!!! More from Jagistreviews →
- Techder Audios: ZEALOT S89 VS ZEALOT ZE01 EXTREME POWERFULL VS COMPACTER BASS PERFORMANCE! More from techderaudios →
- 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.
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 →
| 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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