Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 is the better pick: it ranks #61 of 97 large speakers by sound quality (rated 3.3/5), against #92 (rated 2.1/5) for the Soundcore Trance. If you want one new, the Tribit Stormbox Lava ranks #3 at $100.
The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 is the better-sounding, lighter option. Balanced sound quality with deep resonant bass and crisp treble, large dynamic range. At 4.5 lbs (2.06 kg) it weighs much less than the Soundcore Trance at 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg). Watch for: 8 hour battery at medium volume.
The Soundcore Trance is the longer-running, tougher choice. 80W power with up to 105dB output and BassUp technology. It is rated for 18 hours of battery against 8 for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4. It is rated IPX7, while the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 has no water resistance. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 lacks. Watch for: Hugely recessed midrange and treble.
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, start with the Tribit Stormbox Lava instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 | Soundcore Trance | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $100 Discontinued | 49 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #61 of 97 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #92 of 97 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (HK Connect) | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | None | IPX7 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | Yes |
| Power Bank | No | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 4.5 lbs (2.06 kg) | 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.0 |
| Drivers | 2x 75mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters + 1x passive radiator | 1x 133mm woofer, 1x 51mm tweeter |
| Dimensions | 11.4” x 11.4” x 5.1” (290 x 290 x 130 mm) | 7” x 7” x 13.3” (179 x 177 x 339 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 60W | 80W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 63Hz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 97dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4:
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4
- Tribit Stormbox Lava vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4
- Soundcore Boom 2 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4
- Marshall Stockwell II vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4
- Harman Kardon Citation 200 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4
Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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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The Two Speakers In Full
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4: $100 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, rated 4.1/5.
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 →
| Amplifier Power | 60W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (HK Connect) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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) |
| Drivers | 2x 75mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters + 1x passive radiator |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4.5 lbs (2.06 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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Soundcore Trance: 49 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Soundcore Rave Party 2, rated 3.1/5 (also discontinued).
Pros: 80W power with up to 105dB output and BassUp technology. 18 hours claimed battery life. IPX7 waterproof rating with custom beat-driven LED lighting. Built-in USB power bank to charge mobile devices. Soundcore app provides customizable EQ and Party Mode linking. Measured bass extension of 63Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Hugely recessed midrange and treble. Discontinued retail variant; superseded by Soundcore Rave Neo 2 and Rave Party 2.
Full Soundcore Trance review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 80W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7” x 7” x 13.3” (179 x 177 x 339 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 133mm woofer, 1x 51mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 97dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons