Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4. It ranks #47 of 77 large speakers by sound quality at $100; the Sony SRS-XG300 ranks #55 and costs $169, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4: Balanced sound quality with deep resonant bass and crisp treble, large dynamic range. The tradeoff: 8 hour battery at medium volume.
What the Sony SRS-XG300 gets right: IP67 dust/waterproof rating. The catch: Overly expensive.
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Sony SRS-XG300 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the Sony SRS-XG300 is rated for 25 hours versus 8 hours for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4.
If water resistance matters to you, the Sony SRS-XG300 at IPX7 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 | Sony SRS-XG300 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $100 Discontinued | $169.00 |
| Ranked | #47 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #55 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (HK Connect) | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | None | IPX7 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) |
| 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 |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.2 |
| Drivers | 2x 75mm woofers, 2x 20mm tweeters | 2x X-Balanced woofers, 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Dimensions | 11.4" x 11.4" x 5.1" (290 x 290 x 130 mm) | 12.5" x 5.4" x 5.4" (318 x 138 x 136 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Output Power | 60W | 16W RMS |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 54Hz |
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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 |
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- Links
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Sony SRS-XG300: $169.00 Amazon
Pros: IP67 dust/waterproof rating. Bluetooth 5.2 with multipoint pairing, LDAC codec support. Retractable carry handle for easy portability. Big boomy bass-forward sound, excellent for parties. Fast-charging: 10 minutes gives 70 minutes playback. Stamina mode optimizes battery.
Cons: Overly expensive. Bass not as deep as competitors. Upper mids peak. Hollow sounding. Rolled off treble. Not much clarity. Does not float. Speaker will not remain at max volume and will turn itself down automatically.
Full Sony SRS-XG300 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12.5" x 5.4" x 5.4" (318 x 138 x 136 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x X-Balanced woofers, 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 16W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs / 3 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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