Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, if you are buying new. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 ranks higher than the EcoXGear Defender (#13 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 option. 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 6. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 lacks. The tradeoff: 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 6 is the better-sounding, lighter choice. A waterproof carry speaker with warm sound, deep bass for its size, and pairing with a second unit. At 6.5 lbs (2.94 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: Warm tuning with boosted bass, and not as loud as others.
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, the replacement for the discontinued Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6; it is rated higher for sound quality than the EcoXGear Defender.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A rugged, floating waterproof speaker that gets very loud for its size, with a flashlight, bottle opener and power bank.
A waterproof carry speaker with warm sound, deep bass for its size, and pairing with a second unit.
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 6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.99 | $130 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #84 of 112 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #13 of 112 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| 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/2A) |
| FM Tuner | No | - |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Weight | 10 lbs (4.54 kg) | 6.5 lbs (2.94 kg) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 4.2 |
| Amplifier Power | 100W | 50W RMS |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 6.7” x 15.4” x 9.6” (170.2 x 391.2 x 243.8 mm) | 5” x 11.5” x 11.2” (128 x 291 x 284 mm) |
| Drivers | 52mm full-range driver | 1x 120mm (4.7”) woofer + 1x 25mm (1”) tweeter + 1x passive radiator |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 37Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 180ms |
| Maximum SPL | - | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
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