Short answer: the Sonos Move for better sound quality, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 for the lower price. The Sonos Move ranks #27 of 77 large speakers at $299.95. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 ranks #47 at $100, $199.95 cheaper.
What the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 gets right: Balanced sound quality with deep resonant bass and crisp treble, large dynamic range. The tradeoff: 8 hour battery at medium volume.
What the Sonos Move offers: Warm sounding with somewhat rolled off treble. Set against that: Not stereo. Not as deep bass as others in the category, less bass extension than an Xtreme 2.
One note: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 is discontinued, but it still ranks #47 of 77 large speakers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Sonos Move if sound quality matters more than the price.
If water resistance matters to you, the Sonos Move at IP56 (powerful water jets) holds up far better than the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 | Sonos Move | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $100 Discontinued | $299.95 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #47 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #27 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (HK Connect) | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 11 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | None | IP56 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 4.5 lbs / 2.06 kg | 6.6 lbs / 3 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) | USB-C (requires USB-C PD 12v minimum) |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| Drivers | 2x 75mm woofers, 2x 20mm tweeters | 1x 3.5" (89mm) mid-woofer + 1x downward-firing tweeter (tweeter size undisclosed by Sonos) |
| Dimensions | 11.4" x 11.4" x 5.1" (290 x 290 x 130 mm) | 9.4" x 6.3" x 5" (240 x 160 x 126 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Output Power | 60W | Specs not published by manufacturer |
| Discontinued | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 49Hz |
| Wifi | - | Yes |
| Max Volume | - | 92dB |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4: $100 Discontinued
Pros: Balanced sound quality with deep resonant bass and crisp treble, large dynamic range. Multi-host Bluetooth connectivity for 2 phones, daisy chaining up to 100 speakers. Elegant modern design with smooth curves and premium materials.
Cons: 8 hour battery at medium volume. Not at loud as others. Not as deep of bass as the newer Onyx. External AC power brick for charging. Discontinued.
Full Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (HK Connect) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.4" x 11.4" x 5.1" (290 x 290 x 130 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 75mm woofers, 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 60W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4.5 lbs / 2.06 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Geri’s Collection: Harman Kardon Onyx 7 vs Onyx 4
- OCM Reviews: Onyx Studio 4 Vs Onyx Studio 5 - Sound Quality Comparison - Bluetooth Speaker
- Alan Ross Reviews: Ultimate HK Onyx Studio speaker review and comparison! 8 speakers! More from alanrossreviews →
- Reddit Search for Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 vs Zealot S97
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- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 vs JBL Xtreme
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 vs Doss Soundbox XL
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 vs Sony ULT Field 5
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Sonos Move: $299.95 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Warm sounding with somewhat rolled off treble.
Cons: Not stereo. Not as deep bass as others in the category, less bass extension than an Xtreme 2. Pumping and compression artifacts at higher volume. Not very loud. Discontinued.
Full Sonos Move review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49Hz |
| Battery Life | 11 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.4" x 6.3" x 5" (240 x 160 x 126 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x 3.5" (89mm) mid-woofer + 1x downward-firing tweeter (tweeter size undisclosed by Sonos) |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP56 |
| Max Volume | 92dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | Specs not published by manufacturer |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C (requires USB-C PD 12v minimum) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs / 3 kg |
| Wifi | Yes |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Ezekielo: JBL Xtreme 2 vs Sonos Move with Sound Comparison
- NeverEnoughTech: soundcore Motion X600 vs. Sonos Move vs. Bose Soundlink Revolve II
- Smart Home Sounds: Best Premium Bluetooth Speakers: Sonos Move, JBL Xtreme 3, Marshall Middleton & More…
- Smart Home Sounds: Sonos Move 1 Vs Move 2: What’s The Difference?
- Reddit Search for Sonos Move Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons