Short answer: the Turtlebox Cub, if you are buying new. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 ranks higher than it (#65 vs #77 of 102 large speakers, 3.3/5 vs 3.0/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Turtlebox Cub is still sold new at $330.
Why pick the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4: Balanced sound quality with deep resonant bass and crisp treble, large dynamic range. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Turtlebox Cub. The tradeoff: 8 hour battery at medium volume.
The Turtlebox Cub is the longer-running, tougher choice. A compact, cube-shaped Turtlebox at 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) with a real two-way layout: a 4.5 inch woofer and a 1.3 inch titanium tweeter. It is rated for 14 hours of battery against 8 for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4. It is rated IP67, while the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 has no water resistance. The tradeoff: The evidence so far is listening impressions from two reviews, with no side by side tests against other brands.
Buy the Turtlebox Cub new; the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 is no longer sold new, so it only makes sense as a used find.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 | Turtlebox Cub | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $100 Discontinued | $330.00 |
| Ranked | #65 of 102 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #77 of 102 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (HK Connect) | - |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 14+ hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | - |
| IP Rating | None | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Party Mode) |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 4.5 lbs (2.06 kg) | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | - |
| Drivers | 2x 75mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters + 1x passive radiator | 1x 4.5” (114mm) woofer + 1x 1.3” (33mm) titanium tweeter |
| Dimensions | 11.4” x 11.4” x 5.1” (290 x 290 x 130 mm) | 8.6”H x 7.2”W x 5.7”D (218 x 183 x 146 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 60W | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Strap | No | No |
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 4, 2026 at 9:58 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
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 vs Tronsmart Halo 100
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 vs Zealot S97
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 vs JBL Xtreme
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 vs JBL Xtreme 2
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 vs Doss Soundbox XL
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 vs W-King D8
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 vs Sony SRS-XB43
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 vs Klipsch Detroit
- See all 47 comparisons
Turtlebox Cub: $330.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: A compact, cube-shaped Turtlebox at 2.4 kg with a real two-way layout: a 4.5 inch woofer and a 1.3 inch titanium tweeter. Reviewers found it very loud for its size, with warm, bass-forward tuning and a bit more bass than the Turtlebox Ranger. IP67 waterproof and dustproof, crush and drop resistant, stainless steel tie-downs, a claimed 14+ hours from a 49.95Wh battery, USB-C charging with a power bank output, stereo pairing and Party Mode.
Cons: The evidence so far is listening impressions from two reviews, with no side by side tests against other brands. One reviewer found it loses bass at high volume, and it is not as loud as the full-size Turtlebox. Turtlebox’s claimed 118dB is a figure the brand’s larger speakers have not come close to at a standard one meter distance. It is also mono from one unit, and its recessed USB-C port only fits slim cable plugs.
Full Turtlebox Cub review and specifications →
| Battery Life | 14+ hours (Manufacturer specified) |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Dimensions | 8.6”H x 7.2”W x 5.7”D (218 x 183 x 146 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 4.5” (114mm) woofer + 1x 1.3” (33mm) titanium tweeter |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons