Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Harman Kardon

Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

9 videos

Harman Kardon Go Play 3 Portable Speaker with Powerful Bass

2:05 1 / 9

Customer photos & videos

From 19 customers

Hokaido Espresso

Boomy.

If you like bass, this the speaker for you. It was s on the bulkier side. Meant for set it down once find a good spot for it. Nice curvy aluminum handle. Wish the AC cord to be USB-C instead. Other than that no complaints.

F

Filipp Grafskii

Ok

Very nice

L

Lony Lonz

Harman Kardon Go + Play 3: Elegance Meets Power! 5 Stars!

I’ve tried a lot of portable speakers, but the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 stands out for its blend of premium design and powerful performance. From the moment you pick it up by its sleek aluminum handle, you know it’s built to impress.

Sound Quality: This speaker delivers 160W of output power through a three-way speaker system—dual tweeters, mid-range drivers, and a down-firing 5" subwoofer. The result? Crystal-clear highs, rich mids, and bass that thumps without distortion.

Battery Life: You get up to 8 hours of playtime, which is perfect for a full day of listening. And with a 1.8-hour quick charge, it’s ready to go again in no time.

Connectivity:

Bluetooth 5.2 with up to 334 ft (102 m) range

Dual device pairing for seamless switching

USB charging port to power your phone

Auto self-tuning for optimal sound in any room

Dual far-field microphones for crystal-clear calls

Eco-Friendly Build: Made with recycled materials—100% recycled polyester grille, 90% recycled aluminum handle, and 85% recycled plastic casing. Even the packaging is FSC-certified and printed with soy ink.

Controls: Tempered glass touch panel with intuitive volume, track, and call controls.

This speaker isn’t waterproof, so it’s best suited for indoor use or dry outdoor settings. But if you want luxury sound in a portable form, the Go + Play 3 is worth every penny. Cost a lot, but worth it! 5 Stars no doubt!

Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker – customer photo 2

rC

Overall best audio from Bluetooth

Best audio that I’ve heard come from “Bluetooth Audio - Bluetooth style speakers “ as close as it’s gotten to real stereo sound in my opinion. It would be cool if it had an app. But it has 3 Eq’s to choose from . I’d probably wind up making the audio worse if they did provide an audio eq. But I have dozens of Bluetooth speakers. This is the one I use the most & for when I simply want want top quality audio. I have dozens of other speakers (some very good) but none that I own sound as good as this Go + Play 3. when I just want to enjoy the best sounding speaker own I use the Harman

Kardon go + play 3. I love the down facing subwoofer & the touchscreen top . It just sounds great ! It’s built with top quality materials nothing cheap about this product the size is perfect for in your living area or bedroom. (With no App) it

Makes it one of the easier speakers to use . I get zero distortion with this portable Bluetooth speaker ! It’s my number 1 speaker , without a doubt.

N

NoMax

New Version is Worse

Was very disappointed, as the sound quality on the new version was very clear but very sterile and just not enjoyable to me.

They changed the arrangement of the speakers in the unit, and it causes a separation where you get clear bass and high end but the warmth and richness that comes from the low mids is just not there. Ended up finding the previous version online and purchasing it, much happier.

R

Robert

Awesome sound

It's everything it's supposed to be, it's twice as loud than my studio 8. Harmon pardon comes through again.

C

Customer

Worth Every Penny

For the price range, I don’t think you’ll find a better option than here. The Go+Play 3 delivers fantastic audio quality, featuring a built-in subwoofer at the bottom of the speaker. This design choice ensures that the lows sound full and powerful, yet not overbearing. The sound is extremely balanced and premium, providing an exceptional listening experience. In addition to its great sound, the Go+Play 3 boasts a sleek and stylish design that fits seamlessly into any setting. I am extremely happy with this purchase and highly recommend it to anyone looking for top-notch audio quality and aesthetic appeal at a reasonable price.

R

Rolando

Excelente Parlante HiFi

Impresionante la calidad de sonido de este equipo. Estoy super conforme. Tiene 3 parlantes, 2 tweeters y un subwoofer (foto 2). Estoy sorprendido con la claridad de los sonidos e instrumentos. Y muy buena potencia 160 Wats, RMS. No es resistente al agua ni al polvo, y es bastante pesado para llevarlo a cualquier lado. Pero no es mi intención sacarlo de mi casa. Lo compre para tener un muy buen sonido y supero mis expectativas por completo. Tanto me gusto que compre una segunda unidad para tener sonido Estero. Muy recomendable!

Justin

Top notch Bluetooth speaker for home and away!

I took my time test out this HK speaker and I gotta say...this thing really blew me away. I have various older speakers at home: JBL, Altec etc...and this one really put everything else to shame.

Just an amazing rich, dynamic sound that is just on a whole different level. Crisp highs, thick midrange and just a really punchy, thundering bass to it.

Controls are simple and intuitive, pairing is a breeze and while there isn't a dedicated EQ you can adjust the bass and treble. Out of the box, it does lean to a heavier bass sound, thanks to the integrated subwoofer (as you will see on the bottom side). But again, you can adjust the bass/treble to suit whatever you are listening to.

Another interesting part is that the sound is electronically controlled to give a better dynamic sound based on it's environment. So in other words it will tweak the sound to better suit an open room if placed in one or adjust to a more closed area if it's against a wall. In practical use, I'm not sure how beneficial this is...but it sounded pretty darn perfect wherever I used it. Although I will say placement somewhat close to a wall seemed to yield a more richer sound versus a completely open area.

The only real disappointment here is the lack of an IPX rating for water, which would have been amazing. However, without any real protection against water this will be used very sparingly outside. And again, I do think it sounds just a tad bit better in more closed area versus wide open spaces.

Battery life is pretty much spot on, as I got about 7 to 8 collective hours of medium volume tunes. I do tend to it keep it plugged in most of the time, but satisfactory battery for sure if you decide to take it to work or wherever.

All in all, this isn't a cheap speaker by any means but the clarity and depth of the sound is absolutely top notch. If you are looking for a versatile speaker for home and go and want rich sound this is undoubtedly an excellent choice. Even as a dedicated home speaker this is plenty for a HUGE sound that you can easily bring in different rooms.

The portability is a huge selling point for me and this is probably one of the most versatile Bluetooth speakers I've owned...with amazing sound to back it up. 👌 Recommended!

J

Jeff J

A superb portable speaker from a quality audio company

I am a lifelong hifi addict, and I have owned many good and bad audio products over the last 50 years. I am amazed how far the technology has come, and this portable "boombox" from Harman Kardon is a great example.

First of all, I have known of the Harman Kardon name and quality for many years, so I knew it would be something special, and I wasn't disappointed. The design is simple yet elegant, no frills and flashing lights to spoil the experience, which is great sound. It has amazing bass for such a small package, but it isn't boomy or obnoxious. I set the equalizer on my phone to flat, which is perfect for this speaker. The mids and highs are perfect, as well, and it plays very loudly with no distortion. Put it next to a pair of high quality bookshelf speakers, an it is hard to tell the difference. Yet, you can pick it up and take it with you.

A couple of things to know about the speaker. While it looks rugged, I don't think that I would expose it to wet environments. Also, there is no remote control, which is the only thing that I feel is a negative. Also, it does not integrate directly into voice control, such as Alexa. The last thing that would make it even better would be wifi, such as Sonos uses on their portable speakers.

Regardless of those nits, it is a great speaker, well worth the price!

J. Salce

Stylish, great built quality, exceptional sound, but no IP and a bit pricey.

The Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 Portable Bluetooth speaker is a boombox shaped unit that could also be mistaken for a clutch bag when seen from a distance.

The unit sports tempered glass piano black touch panel top where the few controls are located. There is a power button, Bluetooth button, volumes buttons (+-), and a multifunction button that could be use to answer and end calls, but also can skip tracks while playing music.

On the rear, there is an AUX port, AC power and USB-C out to keep your phone or tablet charged. It only delivers around 10W charging power.

There is also a battery charging indicator, since this portable speaker has a built-in battery, it allows 7-9 hours of playback depending of the device volume and music source.

The built-in components used on this portable speaker are of very good quality, thus adding some weight, 10.3 pounds (4.66Kg), despite its compact size.

It has two mid-range drivers, two tweeters and a downward-facing subwoofer.

It does get quite loud for its small size, producing excellent sound, with a nice midrange and a deep and clear bass.

The unit is supposed to have an "Auto self tuning" technology that auto calibrates itself to provide the best sound depending on its surroundings. I used it in several rooms and outdoors, but I was unable to verify if it works.

Even though there is not info provided about it, this unit does have a manual EQ with three settings available. I found this when trying to increase the volume and tapped the volume up (+) and the multifunction answer call buttons together by mistake. The control buttons are quite sensitive to the touch. The LED located on the front mesh flashes orange once, twice or three times when tapping these buttons together.

There is just a subtle change between the EQ modes, but it can be appreciated when playing different types of music. Tapping the buttons appear to increases bass frequency, or increases highs, or just goes back to default settings.

I found it odd that a very useful feature, such as a manual EQ, is hidden on this unit and I could not find any data about it on the descriptions or included literature.

I would have liked USB-C power, instead of AC, which could have allowed this unit to run from a power bank for uninterrupted playback when an AC receptacle is not available.

Also, I could not find any Ingress Protection (IP) information, which could be problematic when using the unit outdoors, especially around a body of water.

Be very careful where you place the unit. I suggest placing it on a flat even surface to avoid damaging the downward-facing subwoofer and to get the best sound. Placing the portable speaker on a soft or carpeted surface will muffle the bass.

The Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 Portable Bluetooth speaker combines good aesthetics, great sound quality with very good output power.

For a portable speaker, it should have come with some IP certification to prevent dust and moisture ingress or at least a cover for the rear ports.

The unit is simple to operate and is made of environmentally friendly materials, that are 85% to 100% recyclable.

GaS Ginsters

Huge power, agile treble and mid-range, bass a little overwhelming. No WiFi connectivity and no APP.

2024-04-18. Harmon Kardon Go + Play 3. Portable, Bluetooth, 8hrs playtime, USB charging, Auto self tuning, dual far field microphones. Black.

Ordered this because I though I was getting two of them for the price of $350, which would have been a great deal, but alas, it was a error. Pretty much what I expected, but not what I hoped. The reason why I thought it was a set of two is because next to the price of $350 it was noted in parentheses "$174.98 / Count".

None the less, this speaker by Harmon Kardon is stylish and sounds fantastic! While it delivers huge sound, it does have some shortcomings. The shortcomings are not with sound quality nor the features they have. The sound quality outperforms most Bluetooth® speakers on the market, and the auto self tuning combination with the far field microphones work wonderfully well to adjust playback optimally. The shortcomings I'm referring to is actually the lack of some common features with higher end speakers. The Go + Play 3 is a Bluetooth® only speaker and lacks WiFi connectivity. A smart phone app would also probably make it more convenient to stream and control as well.

Overall, the speaker performs very well for what it claims it can do. At just over 10lbs it's outside the range of portable Bluetooth® speakers, so I would say it's best suited for home use. Don't get me wrong, with a built in rechargeable battery, it's definitely "physically" portable, but it's weight technically puts it out of the "portable" Bluetooth® speakers class. I'm not bothered with the weight and size personally and according to my "classification", the Go + Play 3 is totally portable.

From a performance perspective, the Go + Play 3 automatically calibrates itself to its environment very well to deliver a rich powerful sound that fills the room. While this is great for those looking for convenience, it's hard to tell whether or not it really works. Many may prefer to make their own tweaks for that optimum listening experience. Since these tweaks would normally take place in an associated app, the Go + Plus 3 simply doesn't allow for it since there is no App. The only alternative is to hope that the streaming app you use does support it. Lastly, the Bluetooth® only connection takes a bit away from sound quality. It's no secret that Bluetooth® is renowned for sapping audio of that "touch of pizzazz", so it's not surprising that the audio is not all it can be. There is a saving grace though for iPhones users. iPhone is renowned for having an excellent headphone output, so connecting your iPhone via the 3.5mm audio jack should result in an improvement in sound quality across the board; the level of refinement increases, and you get an overall tighter, more composed sound with greater cohesion across the whole frequency range–and a greater sense of solidity as a result. It’s punchier too, most notably in the midrange.

Overall, the Go + Play 3 delivers an impressive roar producing sound that shines across the entire register. Even for one speaker, it definitely signals its presence with a relatively wide sweet spot. At louder volumes, distortion was minimal and overall sound was rich and room-filling. Its bass is even bigger now, and with it, further slows down the dock's dynamic response time. While this is great, it doesn't do complicated recordings any favors, they still get a little confused with the rhythm and timing... 4 stars.

For those interested in a more detailed and technical review, read on!

Design & Build.

If you're familiar with HK's Go + Play series, not much has changed. The design is simple and straightforward. The base no longer stands on 4 little rubber feet like the original Go + Play, rather incorporates two U-shaped rubber feet contoured to the base of the unit (see pics.) On top, a tempered glass panel acts as the medium for the touch controls and notification lights. Since the top panel is glass, it will be subject to prints, but can easily be wiped clean. The curved carrying handle now runs down the sides of the speaker and is made of anodized aluminum and has a satin finish that does a decent job of resisting fingerprints. The speaker grill cover is fabric like most speakers.

From a component perspective (per the specs I found), there are some notable changes. Its predecessor's consisted of two 90mm bass drivers, two 20mm tweeters, and a power output of 4x25 watts. The Go + Play 3 boasts two 70mm mid-range drivers, two 20mm tweeters, plus an additional 130mm downward-firing subwoofer. This is in addition to the front-firing and rear-firing passive diaphragm capable of reproducing a frequency range between 43Hz and 20kHz. Also, the Class D amplifier module is capable of delivering 160 watts. The unit draws a whopping 875W (125V @ 7A) (see pics.)

Signal transmission is via Bluetooth® 5.2. Signals are transmitted with SBC and ACC, and the A2DP, AVRCP 1.6, and HFP 1.6 Bluetooth® profiles are supported.

The Go + Play 3 is equipped with a 25.92Wh lithium-ion battery, delivering a playtime of up to eight hours. Naturally, playback volume and whether or not devices are hooked up to the output only USB-C port will affect the run time.

Controls & Features.

On the back, you'll find your connections for USB-C, a 3.5 audio jack, and power. The USB-C is both input/output and allows you to use the units battery as a portable power bank. These connections are no longer hidden behind a dust and water resistant rubber plug like its predecessor, rather they're fully exposed, so be careful around liquids.

The Dual Microphone Conference System allows you to take calls when your smartphone is hooked up to it via Bluetooth®, but despite the echo and noise suppression, speech and sound quality is not very impressive. When I tried this out, the caller said my voice was distorted at times, and skips were present at others.

The Go + Play 3 is a Harmon Kardon Dual Sound compatible speaker, which means it can be paired with other Dual Sound compatible Bluetooth® speakers. Similarly, the Go + Play 3 is dual source capable, which means you can connect two source devices to this speaker; of course, only one source device can be used for playback at a time.

The controls on the top panel are few and far between, so with this comes a short learning curve. The power button sits at the center of it all and volume buttons lie on either side of it. Flanking the ends are a Bluetooth® activation button, and a multi-function call button (1 press to answer/end calls, 2 presses to forward music tracks, 3 presses to rewind music tracks.)

Sound Quality.

One of the biggest hurdles in the Bluetooth® speaker market is the ability to deliver bass. I'm not simply talking about the ability to go low, or to add quantity, or to make it not sound tinny, rather I'm also talking about how refined the bass is. I'm talking about a bass that doesn't sound artificially boomy and sloppy, one that can keep up with good speed and not bleed into the midrange. The Go + Play 3 does not fall short here; as noted in my headline, the low frequencies are pretty pronounced and a little overdone if anything.

The midrange is smooth and nice. The switch to the 70mm drivers have definitely paid off here. The midranges have a fullness that makes vocals sound very good, especially male vocals. Strings also sound full and rich.

The treble is also smooth and laid off which will appease the mass majority. It's definitely not "treble happy" nor "in your face".

Overall, this has to be one the most powerful speakers I've ever owned and it delivers huge sound. The switch to the 70mm drivers was definitely a good one in my opinion and despite its confusion at times with instrumental sequences when it comes to rhythm and timing, the sound is otherwise crisp and powerful. The lack of an app for those whom like to tweak the sound to their liking is most likely due to trying to appease the masses as the auto self tuning will adjust to "optimal" levels. The lack of WiFi is the only other disappointment, and it can be arguable whether it's just a "nice to have" or a "necessity in this day and age"...

Pamela

Amazing.

After eyeing options at Costco for months, I ordered this speaker instead. I. am. amazed. My family routinely listens to music through our google device due for convenience. When this speaker arrived, I connected it to my phone (in about 30 seconds) and asked Siri to play music. The sound is incredible! I understand that a google device t was not designed to compete with a speaker like this, but I can't express in words how much the difference in sound quality changes the listening experience.

The speaker can be used plugged in to an outlet or not, with up to 8 hours of battery life. I've found the battery life to be excellent. It can easily be carried anywhere. I wouldn't say it's lightweight; it's a quality speaker with a quality feel. The base can be felt through the floor.

Everything about this speaker is quality, from the packaging, the included dust cover, the sound, all of it. People often say that you get what you pay for when referring to subpar products, but sometimes the converse is also true. Highly recommend.

KemoSavvy

A portable speaker that has risen to the top with the best!

This review is for the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 - Portable Bluetooth speaker. (royalty-free song Sea Jewels by Andreas Boldt).

As you can hear in the video, this speaker is da bomb! It's the BT speaker only a company like Harman Kardon can build. It's solid, it's sleek and modern and OMG! does it sound great? You can use it plugged into the wall for uninterrupted playback or wireless, for about 7-8 hours after fully charged. I have a few BT portable and non-portable speakers, but this one, by far, became the best of my bunch. Just judge for yourself by watching the video. It can self-tune automatically to the room and produce a deep bass, crisp treble and perfect mid that will fill any room in your house without distortion.

It's amazing how far we have come to sound technology and this speaker is proof of all that engineering and research. From now on, this is my go-to portable BT speaker to take outside to the patio, look at stars and enjoy music like is supposed to be enjoyed. I cannot recommend it enough; and even if you think you already own the perfect portable speaker, if you can afford its premium price, you will agree with me if you ever get to hear it. There are other speakers as good as this one, but they are not as cool!

HK, you have knocked the ball out of the park with this beautiful boom box!

T

The Reviewer

High quality Bluetooth speaker

This speaker paired to our devices in a few seconds, quick and easy. The sound is very nice and high quality. Theres just one small issue, the speaker must be placed on a flat level surface. For example, you can’t place it on a blanket at a picnic or outside as this will muffle or block the bass and makes the sound very “treble”. But for inside only where this speaker remains on a table, nightstand or desk, then this speaker is great.

The speaker does weigh about 10 pounds but the carrying handle makes it easy to move around and carry.

The price point of $350 comes with the understanding and trust with the brand as Harman Kardon knows what they’re doing when it comes to sound. I know with any of HK’s products, that I will be getting a high quality device.

This speaker is very nice and a great value for the price point. The size is just right as well to fill the room with music and enjoyment.

I’d definitely recommend this speaker and would purchase again in a heartbeat.

Trent

Perfect portable bluetooth speaker from Harmon / Kardon

I think some people might look at the speaker and be disappointed that it doesn’t include home Wi-Fi An app to control the sound. I honestly believe that that is the strength of this portable Bluetooth speaker from Harmon Kardon. There is a plug for power, and on off button and volume up and down once you’re connected to Bluetooth. The battery can last up to about eight hours, depending on The volume you’re listening to.

The downward facing speaker provides plenty of base and the forward facing mids and side, facing tweeters. Give us the right amount of separation. I might even argue That these speakers are dynamic given their size. If you’re sitting right in front of it, you might not get Perfect imaging, but it’s designed to fill a room with music And separate the highs from the lows.

We were listening to some strings this morning during breakfast and the amount of clarity that came from those highs and mids was nothing short of impressive. You could hear each pluck of the cord so clearly given factor I was impressed. I was unable to hear any changes With the auto self tuning as I moved it from room to room.

I did not test this taking phone calls, but my wife will be using it on her zoom calls and I can report back. The simplicity in design is a huge win at this price point and if all you care about is high-quality sound and ease of use and you’re going to be moving this from room to room then it’s a pretty easy decision. I did look at some of the other competitors out there, and there were a few that I considered but at the end, you Can’t beat the versatility and the performance at this point.

Overall, I’m going to score this a perfect five out of five, and the only feedback that I would offer is maybe consider some thing other than the glass on the top. Given the quality the sound I’m going to overlook it and I know some people might like it, but I see it as a magnet for dust and I don’t like fingerprints. Was this worth the update from 2016? Absolutely.

Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker – customer photo 2 Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker – customer photo 3
D

D.L.

An Impressive Sounding Ultra-Premium Bluetooth Speaker

I can honestly say this is the best Bluetooth audio device I have ever heard. The sound fidelity is amazing, especially considering the issues with compression inherent in Bluetooth streaming.

(Who am I to judge? I have a background in audio engineering and have worked at recording and broadcast studios. I consider myself an audiophile, which is why I haven’t been too keen on Bluetooth audio, which typically sounds muddy and lifeless to me due to the low bandwidth and high compression.)

Harman Kardon has done an excellent job programming the DAC (Digital Analog Converter) in this speaker. The fidelity is simply amazing for a Bluetooth speaker, your music comes alive with crisp, clean, concise sound, low distortion and good stereo separation. Rock, jazz, classical, bluegrass, and new age all sounded fantastic. The speaker’s auto-calibration seems to work well in most situations* and the Bluetooth range is exceptional. I was able to stream Bluetooth without issue from a notebook three rooms away, well past the stated range of the unit.

This is listed as a “portable speaker”, but at just over 10 pounds and the size of a large handbag (17.3” wide x 9.5” high x 7.6” deep), you’re not likely to take it hiking. Due to its size, this speaker is not easily overlooked. The speaker has an elegant modern design, with an arched brushed aluminum handle, cloth wrapped body and glossy glass top panel.

Based on the price, this is obviously not your typical Bluetooth speaker. It is clearly aimed at the premium tier of the market. What you get for the money is an ultra-premium portable speaker with exceptional performance.

Notable Features:

- Bluetooth 5.2, allows pairing with up to two different devices

- Built-in high-capacity battery and charger, 8 hours of runtime

- USB-C device charging, allows you to charge your phone or tablet from the speaker

- Auto self-tuning, the speaker auto-calibrates to the surroundings

- 3-way stereo speaker system, 5” sub-woofer, dual 70mm mid-range drivers and dual 20mm tweeters

- High power audio: 160 watts RMS, 43Hz – 20Hz frequency response

- Dual far-field microphones, for use in auto-calibration and speakerphone mode

- Stereo pairing, allows you to pair two Go+Play speakers in stereo mode

- 3.5mm analog stereo audio input port

- Glass touch control panel

- Stylish design, impeccable quality, fit and finish

Considering how good this speaker is, there is one thing I found lacking. The quality of the DAC to me is one of the standout features of this speaker, it is a shame Bluetooth is the only digital input offered. It would have been nice to have either a digital-optical or HDMI input to expand the use of the speaker to digital sources other than Bluetooth. The speaker has an analog stereo mini-jack for line-level input, however, that limits the fidelity to the DAC of the source device, most notebooks, tablets or TVs won’t have as well tuned or capable a DAC as is built-in to this speaker.

*The speaker uses the two far-field microphones to sample the acoustics of the surroundings to automatically adjust the EQ. For the most part this worked really well, which is a good thing, as there are no tone controls on the speaker. I found placement does matter, the large bottom firing sub-woofer can over-drive the bass if the speaker is placed on an acoustically “live” surface. For example, the speaker sounded great on my desk and our dining room table, however, when set on a long credenza in my office the bass was a bit too boomy for my taste. This is because the long wood top of the credenza was amplifying the bass due to harmonic resonance. So much so, that apparently the built-in calibration algorithm was fooled or simply could not deal with it. Moving the speaker off the center of the credenza resolved the issue.

Bottom-line: This is an impressive ultra-premium portable Bluetooth speaker system. It is capable of reproducing Bluetooth streamed (high-quality) digital audio with amazing fidelity and precision.

E.Swope

Really beautiful sound!

I have to say that I am tempted to gush. This is a very impressive portable speaker, and that's from someone who has probably reviewed 50. I have 3 other Harmon Kardon portable speakers. The first won my heart with a sticker that said "share your music not your data"... and I have to say that I have had some disappointments in the last year or two from some very high end audiophile companies which seemed more concerned with the latter. The sound is clean, rich, balanced, with an excellent sound stage.

One of the things that tells me I am looking at / listening to audio equipment is specs. You will practically never see them on blue tooth speakers, and when you do, often it is because they have bragging rights. I am surprised, in fact, shocked that this is not anywhere in the description, but for the audiophiles out there:

Transducers: 70mmm x2 (mid -range), 20mmx2 (tweeters) 130mm x1 (subwoofer) Yes, the bass is very satisfying.

Output power: 160 w RMS

frequency response: 43hz - 20 khz (not full range, but pretty close)

signal to noise ratio: 80db A weighted

This is a real audio company.

and, it sounds really nice. In fact, my husband.. who refuses to listen to blue tooth (He could write a dissertation on phase issues) came in and said "That sounds really good". He is a musician and sound engineer, does not consider himself an audio snob, but. This is the second blue tooth speaker he liked (and the first was a Klipsch). they have very different sound profiles. In short, it is a speaker which can satisfy serious audiophiles. That said, yes, it is very reasonably priced for this quality of sound.

and, really, isn't that what audio equipment is about? {I have said in other review that 90% of my rating is sound quality, and I do try to reserve 5 star ratings for the best.} I think this is one of the best portable blue tooth speakers I have heard. Tested with a broad range of music. It all sounded good. {Probably a little bass heavy for those who lean twards classical.)

It has aux in as well as blue tooth, and can pair for stereo sound. It is a good deal heavier than most blue tooth portables, but it might just be worth working out to carry it ;)

In a word, yes, I would recommend this speaker, even a pair of them.

OK, I did gush, but hope there was some genuinely useful information in there.

Lowapproach

Outstanding music player!

I'm coming from the original Onyx which I always thought it was so good, but now it's not all about the bass, that was already mastered! this unit sounds so pleasant with the perfect balance that demands respect from audiophiles and otherwise, inching its way closer to the higher tear speakers such as the Bowers and Wilkins Zeppelin and for half the price and sometime even less! the design and build quality is superior, the sound is vast and engulfing especially when I'm listening to live jazz albums, I'm there! where the meds are separated, the bass is deep but not muddy, the treble is high but not fatiguing, perfection all around, highly recommended!