Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 for better sound quality, the Altec Lansing Mix 2.0 for the lower price. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 ranks #14 of 75 boombox speakers at $186.99. The Altec Lansing Mix 2.0 ranks #65 at $169, $17.99 cheaper.
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 when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 when sound quality outweighs the price instead.
Skip the Altec Lansing Mix 2.0 if sound quality matters to you. It ranks near the bottom of the 75 boombox speakers.
Battery life favors the Altec Lansing Mix 2.0: rated for 20 hours against 8 hours for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the Altec Lansing Mix 2.0 at IP67 (brief submersion) against the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, which has no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Altec Lansing Mix 2.0 | Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $169.00 | $186.99 |
| Ranked | #65 of 75 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #14 of 75 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | No | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | Yes | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | Yes (App EQ) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (House Party Mode, up to 50 speakers) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | - |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | AC Power Cable (2-Prong) |
| FM Tuner | No | - |
| IP Rating | IP67 | None |
| Output Power | 50W | 50W RMS |
| Dimensions | 11" x 9.4" x 11" (279.4 x 238.8 x 279.4 mm) | 11.4" x 11.3" x 5.1" (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 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 41Hz |
| Max Volume | - | 101dB |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 9, 2026 at 6:54 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
Altec Lansing Mix 2.0: $169.00 Amazon eBay
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.
Full Altec Lansing Mix 2.0 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11" x 9.4" x 11" (279.4 x 238.8 x 279.4 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x drivers |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 50W |
| Party Mode | Yes (House Party Mode, up to 50 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 5.1 lbs / 2.3 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9: $186.99 Amazon eBay
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.
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 →
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 |
| Max Volume | 101dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 50W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Input | AC Power Cable (2-Prong) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs / 4.2 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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