Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, if you are buying new. The Aiwa Exos-9 ranks higher than it (#9 vs #15 of 91 boombox speakers, 4.2/5 vs 4.1/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 is still sold new at $189.99.
The case for the Aiwa Exos-9: It still sounds great against current models. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 lacks.
The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 is the lighter option. An elegant 9.3 lbs (4.2 kg) living-room portable with a measured 41Hz -10dB bass point, 101dB maximum level, three tweeters, app EQ, stereo pairing and Auracast multi-speaker linking. At 9.3 lbs (4.2 kg) it weighs much less than the Aiwa Exos-9 at 15.2 lbs (6.9 kg). It links with other speakers (Auracast), which the Aiwa Exos-9 cannot. The tradeoff: It has no water resistance, aux input or USB playback, and its eight-hour claimed battery life is short for an outdoor portable.
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 if you want one new; the Aiwa Exos-9 is discontinued, so only look for it used.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Aiwa Exos-9 | Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $250 Discontinued | $189.99 |
| Ranked | #9 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #15 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz | 41Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| EQ | Yes (5-band graphic EQ + 4 presets) | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Input | AC Power cable | AC Power Cable (2-Prong) |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 15.2 lbs (6.9 kg) | 9.3 lbs (4.2 kg) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | - |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| FM Tuner | No | - |
| Microphone Input | Yes (with adapter) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 200W | 50W RMS |
| Dimensions | 19.4” x 7.5” x 11.7” (492.8 x 190.5 x 297.2 mm) | 11.4” x 11.3” x 5.1” (289.2 x 287.5 x 130 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5” dual voice coil woofer + 2x 3” midwoofers + 2x 1” silk dome tweeters | 120mm woofer + 3x 20mm tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.3 |
| Maximum SPL | - | 101dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Strap | - | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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
Aiwa Exos-9: $250 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Aiwa Exos-10, ranked lower, rated 3.5/5.
Pros: Aiwa Exos-9 uses 6.5” dual voice coil woofer + 2x 3” midwoofers + 2x 1” silk dome tweeters. Its 6.9 kg, claimed 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, aux input and stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. It still sounds great against current models. Measured bass extension of 44Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 44Hz specification. There is no companion app. Discontinued.
Full Aiwa Exos-9 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 200W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19.4” x 7.5” x 11.7” (492.8 x 190.5 x 297.2 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5” dual voice coil woofer + 2x 3” midwoofers + 2x 1” silk dome tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (5-band graphic EQ + 4 presets) |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Microphone Input | Yes (with adapter) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 15.2 lbs (6.9 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9: $189.99 Amazon eBay
Older models: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 (ranked higher, rated 4.1/5), the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 (ranked higher, rated 4.1/5), the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 (ranked higher, rated 4.1/5), the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 (ranked lower, rated 3.9/5) and the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 (rated 3.3/5).
Pros: An elegant 4.2kg living-room portable with a measured 41Hz -10dB bass point, 101dB maximum level, three tweeters, app EQ, stereo pairing and Auracast multi-speaker linking. Reviews praise its balanced, smooth presentation and non-fatiguing treble, making it a more music-focused choice than most party speakers. Measured bass extension of 41Hz (-10dB).
Cons: It has no water resistance, aux input or USB playback, and its eight-hour claimed battery life is short for an outdoor portable. Bass is less deep than some earlier Onyx Studio models, while the slightly recessed mids and rolled-off top end mean it is not the most open or detailed option; it still charges from an AC power cable rather than USB-C.
Full Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.4” x 11.3” x 5.1” (289.2 x 287.5 x 130 mm) |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 3x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Maximum SPL | 101dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Input | AC Power Cable (2-Prong) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs (4.2 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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