Weight
- JBL PartyBox Encore Essential
- 5.9 kg
- JBL Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
- 4.7 kg
Speaker comparison
JBL PartyBox Encore Essential vs JBL Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
Compare sound, battery life, durability and connections.
01Selected  JBL PartyBox Encore Essential
KSh 36,000In Stock | 02  Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
KSh 36,500In Stock |
|---|
2 of 4 products
Add to comparison
2 spaces availableSoundcore Rave+KSh 30,830
Harman Kardon Aura Studio 5KSh 36,000
Marshall BT Speaker MIDDLETON Black & BrassKSh 36,000
JBL Cinema SB550KSh 35,500
Our quick verdict
Choose the JBL PartyBox Encore Essential if you want 1 x 6.3mm Wired Mic Input and a lightshow. Choose the JBL Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 if you want longer rated battery life (8 hours per charge), Bluetooth 5.2 and a lighter build (4.7 kg).
Battery capacity
- JBL PartyBox Encore Essential
- 4,800 mAh battery
- JBL Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
- Up to 8 Hours Playback
Connections
- JBL PartyBox Encore Essential
- Bluetooth 5.1
- JBL Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
- Bluetooth 5.2
Microphone / guitar inputs
- JBL PartyBox Encore Essential
- 1 x 6.3mm Wired Mic Input
- JBL Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
- No microphone or guitar input
USB
- JBL PartyBox Encore Essential
- Bluetooth 5.1, USB Type-A, 3.5mm AUX
- JBL Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
- 3.5mm AUX Input / USB-C
Key differences
The main differences to help you choose.
JBL PartyBox Encore Essential
- 1 x 6.3mm Wired Mic Input.
- Lightshow: RGB ring lights and strobes flash perfectly.
JBL Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
- Rated for up to 8 hours per charge.
- Newer Bluetooth 5.2.
- Lighter: 4.7 kg.
What matters most to you?
12 priorities selected.
JBL PartyBox Encore Essential
- 5,900 g.
- 100 W rated output.
- 5.9 kg.
- 4,800 mAh battery.
- Bluetooth 5.1.
- Up to 6 hours per charge.
- 1 x 6.3mm Wired Mic Input.
- Bluetooth 5.1, USB Type-A, 3.5mm AUX.
- Portable Party Speaker.
- USB Type-A, 3.5mm AUX.
- Built-in RGB ring lights and strobes flash perfectly in time with your music.
- 50 Hz - 20 kHz.
JBL Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
- 4,700 g.
- Rechargeable battery / USB charging.
- 4.7 kg.
- Up to 8 Hours Playback.
- Bluetooth 5.2.
- Up to 8 hours per charge.
- No microphone or guitar input.
- 3.5mm AUX Input / USB-C.
- Portable Bluetooth Speaker.
- No party lightshow.
- 43Hz–20kHz (-6dB).
Detailed comparison
Explore the full specifications, section by section.
General
| Specification | JBL PartyBox Encore Essential | Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | JBL | JBL |
| Model | PartyBox Encore Essential | Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 |
| Type | Portable Party Speaker | Portable Bluetooth Speaker |
| Color | — | Black |
Design
| Specification | JBL PartyBox Encore Essential | Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 27.6 x 32.7 x 29.3 cm | 439 × 240 × 196mm |
| Weight | 5.9 kg | 4.7kg |
Battery & Charging
| Specification | JBL PartyBox Encore Essential | Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 4800mAh | Up to 8 Hours Playback |
Connectivity
| Specification | JBL PartyBox Encore Essential | Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.2 | A2DP 1.3 | AVRCP 1.6 |
| Wi-Fi | Bluetooth-only portable speaker | Bluetooth-only portable speaker |
| Wired Inputs | USB Type-A, 3.5mm AUX | 3.5mm AUX Input | USB-C |
| HDMI | Portable speaker design | Portable speaker design |
| USB | Bluetooth 5.1, USB Type-A, 3.5mm AUX | 3.5mm AUX Input | USB-C |
| Microphone / Guitar Inputs | 1 x 6.3mm Wired Mic Input | No microphone or guitar input |
| Multi-Speaker / Stereo Pairing | Link two Encore Essential speakers together wirelessly using True Wireless Stereo (TWS) technology for a massive, true stereo soundstage. | — |
| App Support | JBL PartyBox App (Custom EQ & Lights) | — |
Features
| Specification | JBL PartyBox Encore Essential | Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Voice Assistant | No built-in voice assistant | No built-in voice assistant |
| Lightshow | Built-in RGB ring lights and strobes flash perfectly in time with your music, setting the ultimate party vibe automatically. | No party lightshow |
| Home Cinema Features | Not a home-cinema speaker | Not a home-cinema speaker |
| Party Features | — | Not a party-speaker product |
Audio
| Specification | JBL PartyBox Encore Essential | Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers | 1 x 5.25" Woofer, 2 x 1.75" Tweeters | 1 × 130mm Subwoofer | 2 × 70mm Midrange Drivers | 2 × 20mm Tweeters |
| Frequency Response | 50 Hz - 20 kHz | 43Hz–20kHz (-6dB) |
| Total Power Output | 100W RMS | — |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | — | >80dB |
| Audio Channels | — | 2.0 Channel Stereo |
| Sound Modes / EQ | — | Automatic Self-Tuning | Room-Adaptive Sound Calibration |
| Audio Features | — | Microphone system: Dual Far-Field Microphones | Hands-Free Calls |
Power & Battery
| Specification | JBL PartyBox Encore Essential | Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Power Source | Rechargeable battery / USB charging | Rechargeable battery / USB charging |
| Battery Life | Up to 6 Hours | — |
| Charging Time | 3.5 Hours | — |
| Charging Port | — | Approx. 3 Hours |
Design & Controls
| Specification | JBL PartyBox Encore Essential | Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Water & Dust Resistance | IPX4 (Splashproof) | — |
| Placement / Mounting | Free-standing portable placement | Free-standing portable placement |
| Materials | — | Recycled Polyester Fabric | Recycled Aluminum Handle |
What's in the Box
| Specification | JBL PartyBox Encore Essential | Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Speaker / Soundbar | PartyBox Encore Essential | Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 |
| Subwoofer | No subwoofer supplied | No subwoofer supplied |
| Remote Control | No remote control supplied | No remote control supplied |
| Power Cable | USB charging cable | USB charging cable |
| Audio / HDMI Cable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Mounting Accessories | Portable design | Portable design |
| Other Accessories | — | Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 | Power Cable | Quick Start Guide | Safety & Warranty Card |
| Documentation | Quick Start Guide and safety documentation | Quick Start Guide and safety documentation |
Similarities
- Both connect over Bluetooth.
- Same Wi-Fi: bluetooth-only portable speaker.
- Same HDMI: portable speaker design.
- Same home cinema features: not a home-cinema speaker.
- Same power source: rechargeable battery / USB charging.
- Same placement / mounting: free-standing portable placement.
In summary
Choose Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 for longer rated battery life and a lighter build; PartyBox Encore Essential offers 1 x 6.3mm Wired Mic Input and a lightshow.
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