Harman Kardon Go + Play 2From real comments

Verdict distilled from 30 mentions across 10 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment42%
PROS 42%
CONS 58%

Rank based on 30 mentions across 10 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want deep, concert-like bass in a portable speaker
  • You found it at a strong price point versus rivals
  • You're comfortable eventually doing a DIY battery repair

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need water/dust protection for outdoor use
  • You want adjustable bass/treble out of the box
  • You're not willing to deal with possible battery issues down the line

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Premium
Sony ULT Tower 9
Balanced, clear sound signaturePowerful deep bass in ULT 1 modeBattery portability advantage over JBL 710Some users still wanted deeper bassHigh price pointLDAC unavailable in stereo pair mode
Sony ULT Tower 9
Balanced, clear sound signature
Powerful deep bass in ULT 1 mode
Battery portability advantage over JBL 710
Some users still wanted deeper bass
High price point
LDAC unavailable in stereo pair mode
Best value
2Mid
Anker Soundcore Motion Boom Plus
Excellent value for moneyLoud, powerful outputTrusted brand ecosystemLeft channel audio cutoutManual/hardware mismatchNo TWS/Partycast with original Motion Boom
Anker Soundcore Motion Boom Plus
Excellent value for money
Loud, powerful output
Trusted brand ecosystem
Left channel audio cutout
Manual/hardware mismatch
No TWS/Partycast with original Motion Boom
3Premium
RCF ART 935-A
Detailed, Audiophile-Like SoundPowerful Bass Without a SubwooferDrives Repeat Purchases and Owner LoyaltyConfusing Model Lineup vs ART 945-APerceived as Overpriced
RCF ART 935-A
Detailed, Audiophile-Like Sound
Powerful Bass Without a Subwoofer
Drives Repeat Purchases and Owner Loyalty
Confusing Model Lineup vs ART 945-A
Perceived as Overpriced
4
Electro-Voice EKX-12P
Fuller, warmer bassWood cabinet constructionAvoids harsh treble under demandImprovement over ELX seen as modestSimilar mids and highs to cheaper model
Electro-Voice EKX-12P
Fuller, warmer bass
Wood cabinet construction
Avoids harsh treble under demand
Improvement over ELX seen as modest
Similar mids and highs to cheaper model
5Budget
Yamaha DBR12
Warm, natural soundStrong bass and SPLLong warranty and strong supportCan sound mid-heavy or less clean than EVLess bass depth than some rivals for DJ useCooling fan runs constantly
Yamaha DBR12
Warm, natural sound
Strong bass and SPL
Long warranty and strong support
Can sound mid-heavy or less clean than EV
Less bass depth than some rivals for DJ use
Cooling fan runs constantly
6Premium
JBL PartyBox 1000
Room-shaking bassExtremely loud outputLong-term owner satisfactionHigh priceUnbalanced or sharp trebleDJ mixing latency via RCA input
JBL PartyBox 1000
Room-shaking bass
Extremely loud output
Long-term owner satisfaction
High price
Unbalanced or sharp treble
DJ mixing latency via RCA input
7Premium
JBL PartyBox 520
Deep, Powerful BassGood Middle Ground in LineupGreat Stereo Pairing via AuracastHigh PriceHeavier Than ExpectedUnderwhelming vs 710 for the Price
JBL PartyBox 520
Deep, Powerful Bass
Good Middle Ground in Lineup
Great Stereo Pairing via Auracast
High Price
Heavier Than Expected
Underwhelming vs 710 for the Price
8Mid
Electro-Voice Evolve 30M
Full, loud sound for its sizeLightweight and portableBuilt-in mixer eliminates external gearConfusing setup for some sourcesUnderpowered/lacking midrange for someApp/settings not saved reliably
Electro-Voice Evolve 30M
Full, loud sound for its size
Lightweight and portable
Built-in mixer eliminates external gear
Confusing setup for some sources
Underpowered/lacking midrange for some
App/settings not saved reliably
9Premium
Sony SRS-XV800
Smooth, defined bassGood value when discountedMulti-speaker pairingHigh retail priceUnderwhelming soundstage for someFlashy lights hurt aesthetics
Sony SRS-XV800
Smooth, defined bass
Good value when discounted
Multi-speaker pairing
High retail price
Underwhelming soundstage for some
Flashy lights hurt aesthetics
10Premium
Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM
Rich, powerful bassOutperforms JBL BoomBox in comparisonsLong-term reliability for many ownersReduced lifespan/durability issuesPower button failuresApp/connectivity quirks
Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM
Rich, powerful bass
Outperforms JBL BoomBox in comparisons
Long-term reliability for many owners
Reduced lifespan/durability issues
Power button failures
App/connectivity quirks
You are here
31Mid
Harman Kardon Go + Play 2
Powerful, deep bassGood value for priceRepairable / upgradeable designBattery failure and charging issuesRattling or loose driver noiseExposed, fragile subwoofer
Harman Kardon Go + Play 2
Powerful, deep bass
Good value for price
Repairable / upgradeable design
Battery failure and charging issues
Rattling or loose driver noise
Exposed, fragile subwoofer

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Sound quality is the standout strength owners keep coming back to. Multiple users describe the bass as concert-like and impressively low, with one measuring it down to 33 Hz in a good room. Comparisons favor it over Bose Sounddock, Altec Lansing's inMotion iM7, and typical iPod docks up to $500. Even a seven-year-old unit is said to still sound amazing without any upgrades needed, reinforcing durability of the acoustic performance itself.

Battery longevity and charging reliability are the most common frustrations. Numerous commenters report batteries dying prematurely, shutting off randomly, refusing to hold full charge, or blinking red lights that never resolve despite replacement. Some traced issues to faulty MOSFETs or charging ICs not passing current through. This has spawned an active DIY repair community upgrading cells to higher-capacity 18650 or Li-ion packs with mixed but often successful results.

Build quirks include a vulnerable subwoofer and occasional mechanical noise. Several owners flag the exposed bottom-mounted subwoofer as easily damaged and note the unit lacks any IP protection, limiting it to indoor use. Others describe rattling or resonance from passive radiators during bass-heavy tracks, or a loose-sounding driver near the subwoofer. A light buzzing noise during idle Bluetooth connection was also reported as a persistent, unresolved quirk.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?