Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, if you are buying new. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 ranks higher than the EcoXGear Defender (#24 vs #84 of 112 boombox speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, is rated 4.1/5 at $184.99 and is still sold new.
The EcoXGear Defender is the longer-running choice. A rugged, floating waterproof speaker that gets very loud for its size, with a flashlight, bottle opener and power bank. It is rated for 25 hours of battery against 8 for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 lacks. The catch: Its single front-facing driver layout has narrow dispersion: clarity and detail drop noticeably when you move off-axis, and the soundstage is limited.
The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 is the better-sounding, lighter option. An iconic round speaker with warm, relaxed sound and generous bass for casual indoor listening. At 6.6 lbs (3 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the EcoXGear Defender at 10 lbs (4.54 kg). It links with other speakers (Wireless Dual Sound), which the EcoXGear Defender cannot. The tradeoff: The large bass boost can mask lower-mid detail and make dense mixes muddy.
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, the replacement for the discontinued Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5; it is rated higher for sound quality than the EcoXGear Defender.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
A rugged, floating waterproof speaker that gets very loud for its size, with a flashlight, bottle opener and power bank.
An iconic round speaker with warm, relaxed sound and generous bass for casual indoor listening.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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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Specifications Side By Side
| EcoXGear Defender | Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.99 | $499.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #84 of 112 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #24 of 112 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Stereo | No | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes (see https://www.reddit.com/r/Bluetooth_Speakers/comments/w339x5/how_to_harman_kardon_onyx_studio_5_6_dual_sound/) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2.1A) | No |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) |
| FM Tuner | No | - |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Weight | 10 lbs (4.54 kg) | 6.6 lbs (3 kg) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 4.2 |
| Amplifier Power | 100W | 50W |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 6.7” x 15.4” x 9.6” (170.2 x 391.2 x 243.8 mm) | 11.3” x 11.3” (285.8 x 285.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 52mm full-range driver | 120mm woofer + 25mm tweeter + 2x passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | No |
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