Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 for the higher ranking, the Altec Lansing Rockbox XL 2.0 for the lower price. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 ranks #13 of 70 boombox speakers at $186.99. The Altec Lansing Rockbox XL 2.0 ranks #68 at $160, $26.99 cheaper.
On the Altec Lansing Rockbox XL 2.0 side: IP67 waterproof and floats upright in water. The catch: Rolled off treble, muddy midrange, not very deep bass.
The case for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9: Auracast multi-speaker connection alongside classic stereo pairing. The catch: Slight recessed mids, boost in the upper mids, rolled off upper treble.
Buy the Altec Lansing Rockbox XL 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 Rockbox XL 2.0 | Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $160 | $186.99 |
| Ranked | #68 of 70 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #13 of 70 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 12.6 lbs / 5.71 kg | 9.3 lbs / 4.2 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | Yes (Altec Lansing Just Listen app) | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | Yes (App EQ) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes | - |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Built in Microphone | No | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| FM Tuner | No | - |
| IP Rating | IP67 | None |
| Output Power | 120W | 50W RMS |
| Dimensions | 22.2" x 11.18" x 11.61" (564 x 284 x 295 mm) | 11.39" x 11.32" x 5.12" (289.2 x 287.5 x 130 mm) |
| Drivers | 8" woofer + tweeters | 120mm woofer + 3x 20mm tweeters |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 41Hz |
| Max Volume | - | 101dB |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 |
The Two Speakers In Full
Altec Lansing Rockbox XL 2.0: $160 Amazon
Pros: IP67 waterproof and floats upright in water. 20 hour battery life. Deep, rich bass with clear sound across spectrum. LED lights create party atmosphere. House Party feature connects 50+ speakers. Can charge phones.
Cons: Rolled off treble, muddy midrange, not very deep bass
| App | Yes (Altec Lansing Just Listen app) |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Dimensions | 22.2" x 11.18" x 11.61" (564 x 284 x 295 mm) |
| Drivers | 8" woofer + tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Output Power | 120W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 12.6 lbs / 5.71 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.