Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9. It ranks #13 of 70 boombox speakers at $186.99; the Altec Lansing Mix 2.0 ranks #62 and costs $190, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Altec Lansing Mix 2.0 gets right: IP67 waterproof and floats. Set against that: Doesn’t compete well with speakers of the same size class.
On the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 side: Auracast multi-speaker connection alongside classic stereo pairing. Set against that: Slight recessed mids, boost in the upper mids, rolled off upper treble.
Buy the Altec Lansing Mix 2.0 if the price matters more than the ranking. Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 if the ranking matters more than the price.
Specifications Side By Side
| Altec Lansing Mix 2.0 | Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $190 | $186.99 |
| Ranked | #62 of 70 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #13 of 70 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | No | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | Yes | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | Yes (App EQ) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Up to 50 speakers) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes | - |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| FM Tuner | No | - |
| IP Rating | IP67 | None |
| Output Power | 50W | 50W RMS |
| Dimensions | 11" x 9.4" x 11" | 11.39" x 11.32" x 5.12" (289.2 x 287.5 x 130 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x drivers | 120mm woofer + 3x 20mm tweeters |
| Weight | 5.1 lbs / 2.3 kg | 9.3 lbs / 4.2 kg |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 41Hz |
| Max Volume | - | 101dB |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 |
The Two Speakers In Full
Altec Lansing Mix 2.0: $190 Amazon
Pros: IP67 waterproof and floats. 20 hour battery life. NFC pairing. 100-foot Bluetooth range. Strong bass. Compact and lightweight. Built-in smartphone charger.
Cons: Doesn’t compete well with speakers of the same size class. Not much deep bass, boosted upper bass. Bass has a thud. Treble rolled off, mids receded.
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Dimensions | 11" x 9.4" x 11" |
| Drivers | 2x drivers |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Output Power | 50W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Up to 50 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 5.1 lbs / 2.3 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9: $186.99 Amazon
Pros: Auracast multi-speaker connection alongside classic stereo pairing. Harman Kardon One app with EQ. USB-C charging, up from the previous generation’s AC power brick.
Cons: Slight recessed mids, boost in the upper mids, rolled off upper treble. Not as deep bass as previous Onyx Studio speakers.
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 11.39" x 11.32" x 5.12" (289.2 x 287.5 x 130 mm) |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 3x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Max Volume | 101dB |
| Output Power | 50W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs / 4.2 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.

