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Speaker comparison

JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2 vs JBL Harman Kardon Go + Play 3

Compare sound, battery life, durability and connections.

Compared products
01Selected
JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2

JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2

  • 6,200 g.
  • 4,722 mAh battery capacity.
  • 34 Wh of stored energy.
  • Bluetooth 5.4 connection.
  • Up to 15 hours per charge.
KSh 43,500In Stock
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02
Harman Kardon Go + Play 3

Harman Kardon Go + Play 3

  • 4,700 g.
  • 25.92 Wh of stored energy.
  • Up to 8 hours per charge.
  • 160 W rated output.
  • Bluetooth 5.2.
KSh 40,000In Stock
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2 spaces available

JBL PartyBox On The GoKSh 49,000
JBL PartyBox 110KSh 48,000
JBL Authentics 300KSh 45,000
JBL PartyBox Club 120KSh 49,500
JBL Partybox Encore 2KSh 46,500
JBL PartyBox On-The-Go EssentialKSh 39,500
Soundcore Rave 3SKSh 45,670
2 of 4 products

Our quick verdict

The JBL Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 has a higher 160 W rated output and is lighter (4.7 kg), while the JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2 lasts longer per charge (15 hours) and has a lightshow.

Weight

JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2
6.2 kg
JBL Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
4.7 kg

Stored energy

JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2
34 Wh of stored energy
JBL Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
25.92 Wh of stored energy

Battery life

JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2
Up to 15 hours per charge
JBL Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
Up to 8 hours per charge

Output power

JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2
100 W rated output
JBL Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
160 W rated output

Connections

JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2
Bluetooth 5.4
JBL Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
Bluetooth 5.2

Key differences

The main differences to help you choose.

JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2

  • Rated for up to 15 hours per charge (vs 8).
  • Larger battery: 34 Wh (vs 25.92 Wh).
  • Lightshow: integrated party lightshow.
  • Newer Bluetooth 5.4 (vs 5.2).

JBL Harman Kardon Go + Play 3

  • Higher rated output: 160 W (vs 100 W).
  • Lighter: 4.7 kg (vs 6.2 kg).
  • Lower price: KSh 40,000 (vs KSh 43,500).

What matters most to you?

Choose any priorities

How each product answers the questions buyers ask most. Tick a topic to add it, untick one to hide it.

More topicsFewer topics
6 priorities selected.
How each product answers the selected priorities
PriorityJBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2JBL Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
Portability6,200 g4,700 g
Output power100 W rated output160 W rated output
Weight6.2 kg4.7 kg
Battery capacity4,722 mAh battery25.92 Wh battery
ConnectionsBluetooth 5.4Bluetooth 5.2
Battery lifeUp to 15 hours per chargeUp to 8 hours per charge

Detailed comparison

Explore the full specifications, section by section.

General

General specifications comparison
SpecificationJBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
BrandJBLJBL
ModelPartyBox Encore Essential 2Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
TypePortable Party SpeakerPortable Bluetooth Speaker
Color—Black

Design

Design specifications comparison
SpecificationJBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
Dimensions319.5 × 342 × 260.4 mm (W × H × D)439 × 240 × 196mm
Weight6.2 kg4.7kg

Battery & Charging

Battery & Charging specifications comparison
SpecificationJBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
Battery34 Wh lithium-ion (7.4 V / 4722 mAh)25.92 Wh rechargeable battery

Connectivity

Connectivity specifications comparison
SpecificationJBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
Bluetooth5.4Bluetooth 5.2 | A2DP 1.3 | AVRCP 1.6
Bluetooth Profiles / CodecsA2DP 1.4; AVRCP 1.6; TMAP 1.0; PBP 1.0A2DP 1.3; AVRCP 1.6
Wi-FiBluetooth-only portable speakerBluetooth-only portable speaker
Wired Inputs3.5 mm AUX; microphone and guitar inputs3.5mm AUX Input | USB-C
HDMIPortable speaker designPortable speaker design
USBUSB charge output up to 11 V / 2 A with speaker offUSB-C charge output, 5 V / 2 A; service port
Microphone / Guitar Inputs—No microphone or guitar input
Multi-Speaker / Stereo Pairing—Wireless stereo pairing with a second Go + Play 3

Features

Features specifications comparison
SpecificationJBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
Voice AssistantNo built-in voice assistantNo built-in voice assistant
LightshowYes — integrated party lightshowNo party lightshow
Home Cinema FeaturesNot a home-cinema speakerNot a home-cinema speaker
Special FeaturesAI Sound Boost, Auracast pairing, LED light show, JBL PartyBox app—
Party Features—Not a party-speaker product

Audio

Audio specifications comparison
SpecificationJBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
Drivers135 mm woofer; two 20 mm dome tweeters1 × 130mm Subwoofer | 2 × 70mm Midrange Drivers | 2 × 20mm Tweeters
Frequency Response40 Hz–20 kHz (-6 dB)43Hz–20kHz (-6dB)
Total Power Output100 W RMS160 W RMS
Signal-to-Noise Ratio>80 dB>80dB
Audio Channels—2.0 Channel Stereo
Sound Modes / EQ—Automatic Self-Tuning | Room-Adaptive Sound Calibration
Audio Features—Automatic self-tuning; dual far-field microphones; dual-device Bluetooth

Power & Battery

Power & Battery specifications comparison
SpecificationJBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
Power SourceRechargeable battery; 100–240 V AC, 50/60 HzRechargeable battery / USB charging
Battery LifeUp to 15 hoursUp to 8 hours
Charging TimeUnder 3.5 hours with speaker off3 hours
Charging PortAC mains inputAC mains input

Design & Controls

Design & Controls specifications comparison
SpecificationJBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
Water & Dust ResistanceIPX4 splashproof—
MaterialsRecycled plastic with fabric grilleTempered glass touch panel; recycled polyester grille, aluminium handle and plastic casing
Placement / MountingFree-standing portable placementFree-standing portable placement

What's in the Box

What's in the Box specifications comparison
SpecificationJBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
Speaker / SoundbarPartyBox Encore Essential 2Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
SubwooferNo subwoofer suppliedNo subwoofer supplied
Remote ControlNo remote control suppliedNo remote control supplied
Power Cable2 m AC power cordAC power cable
Audio / HDMI CableNot applicableNot applicable
Mounting AccessoriesPortable designPortable design
Other Accessories—Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 | Power Cable | Quick Start Guide | Safety & Warranty Card
DocumentationQuick-start guide; warranty and safety informationQuick Start Guide and safety documentation

Similarities

  • Both charge over USB-C.
  • Both connect over Bluetooth.
  • Both use A2DP (Bluetooth profiles / codecs).
  • Same Wi-Fi: bluetooth-only portable speaker.
  • Same HDMI: portable speaker design.
  • Same home cinema features: not a home-cinema speaker.

In summary

Get the JBL Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 if you want a higher 160 W rated output and a lighter build, or the JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2 if you would rather have longer rated battery life and a lightshow.

Back to compared products ↑

In-stock alternatives

JBL Xtreme 5For JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2JBL Xtreme 5View product ↗JBL Authentics 300For JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2JBL Authentics 300View product ↗JBL PartyBox On-The-Go EssentialFor Harman Kardon Go + Play 3JBL PartyBox On-The-Go EssentialView product ↗

Related comparisons

JBL PartyBox On The GoJBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2JBL PartyBox 110JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2JBL Authentics 300JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2JBL PartyBox Club 120JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2JBL Partybox Encore 2JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2JBL PartyBox On-The-Go EssentialJBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2Soundcore Rave 3SJBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2JBL PartyBox On the Go 2JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2JBL Xtreme 5
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