Short answer: the Harman Kardon Citation 200 for better sound quality, the Soundcore Motion X500 for the lower price. The Harman Kardon Citation 200 ranks #13 of 77 large speakers at $130. The Soundcore Motion X500 ranks #24 at $99.99, $30.01 cheaper.
What the Harman Kardon Citation 200 offers: Deeper bass than any Onyx. Watch for: Overly boomy by default, you can short press the Bluetooth and volume down buttons simultaneously to decrease the bass, and the Bluetooth and volume up buttons simultaneously to increase it.
The case for the Soundcore Motion X500: 40W stereo with 3-driver layout (two tweeters + woofer). The tradeoff: A little bright on top, a custom EQ can flatten things out a bit.
Buy the Harman Kardon Citation 200 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Soundcore Motion X500 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If water resistance matters to you, the Soundcore Motion X500 at IPX7 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Harman Kardon Citation 200 at IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Citation 200 | Soundcore Motion X500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 Discontinued | $99.99 |
| Ranked | #13 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #24 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX7 |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 6.3 lbs / 2.85 kg | 4.6 lbs / 2.1 kg |
| Wifi | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon app) | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| USB Playback | No | - |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 7" x 8.6" x 6.8" (178 x 219 x 172 mm) | 8.7" x 8" x 3.2" (220 x 202 x 81 mm) |
| Drivers | 5" woofer, 1" tweeter | 2x 58mm (2.3") forward-firing full-range drivers + 1x 43mm (1.7") upward-firing driver |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 50W | 40W |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 48Hz |
| Max Volume | - | 104dB |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Harman Kardon Citation 200: $130 Discontinued
Pros: Deeper bass than any Onyx.
Cons: Overly boomy by default, you can short press the Bluetooth and volume down buttons simultaneously to decrease the bass, and the Bluetooth and volume up buttons simultaneously to increase it. Discontinued.
Full Harman Kardon Citation 200 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon app) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7" x 8.6" x 6.8" (178 x 219 x 172 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 5" woofer, 1" tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 50W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 6.3 lbs / 2.85 kg |
| Wifi | Yes |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Ezekielo: Citation 200 vs Beolit 20 with Sound Comparison!
- KULAS TECH SHOW: Harman Kardon Citation 200 vs JBL Xtreme3 Sound & Bass test
- Ezekielo: Citation 200 vs Onyx Studio 6 vs Bose Portable Speaker Sound Comparison
- KULAS TECH SHOW: Harman Kardon Citation 200 vs Onyx Studio 7 Bass comparison
- Reddit Search for Harman Kardon Citation 200 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Harman Kardon Citation 200 vs B&O Beosound A5
- Harman Kardon Citation 200 vs Soundcore Motion Boom
- Harman Kardon Citation 200 vs Marshall Stockwell 2
- Harman Kardon Citation 200 vs Soundcore Select Pro
- Harman Kardon Citation 200 vs Soundcore Boom 2
- Harman Kardon Citation 200 vs B&O Beoplay A2 active
- Harman Kardon Citation 200 vs Bose SoundLink Max
- Harman Kardon Citation 200 vs JBL Xtreme 3
- See all 16 comparisons
Soundcore Motion X500: $99.99 Amazon
Pros: 40W stereo with 3-driver layout (two tweeters + woofer). IPX7 weatherproof rating. Compact and very portable. Fine build quality at this price. Spatial Dynamic mode provides immersive sound. Gets close to 12 hour battery claim.
Cons: A little bright on top, a custom EQ can flatten things out a bit. Peaks at 250hz and dip at 1khz
Full Soundcore Motion X500 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7" x 8" x 3.2" (220 x 202 x 81 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 58mm (2.3") forward-firing full-range drivers + 1x 43mm (1.7") upward-firing driver |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 104dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4.6 lbs / 2.1 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Motion X500 vs Sonos Move 2
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