Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 for better sound quality, the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus for the lower price. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 ranks #19 of 73 boombox speakers at $499.99. The Soundcore Boom 2 Plus ranks #26 at $169.98, $330.01 cheaper.
On the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 side: Elegant circular design with carrying handle. Set against that: Warm sound with boosted bass.
What the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus offers: Quite a bit lighter than most of the other boombox size speakers. Watch for: Warm tuning meaning a rolled off treble and some upper bass boost.
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus if the price matters more than sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus is rated for 20 hours versus 8 hours for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 | Soundcore Boom 2 Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.99 | $169.98 |
| Ranked | #19 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #26 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) | Yes (PartyCast 2.0) |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes (see https://www.reddit.com/r/Bluetooth_Speakers/comments/w339x5/how_to_harman_kardon_onyx_studio_5_6_dual_sound/) | Yes |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs / 3 kg | 8.4 lbs / 3.8 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| App | No | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes (Pro EQ + presets) |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2A) |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Output Power | 50W | 140W |
| Dimensions | 11.3" x 11.3" (285.8 x 285.8 mm) | 17.3" x 9.1" x 5.9" (440 x 230 x 150 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 75mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters | 2x 114mm (4.5") woofers + 2x 19mm (0.75") tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 39Hz |
| Max Volume | - | 111dB |
| MicroSD Playback | - | No |
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- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs Zealot S95
The Two Speakers In Full
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5: $499.99 Amazon
Pros: Elegant circular design with carrying handle. Bass-heavy with balanced mids and highs. Rechargeable Li-ion battery rated 7-8 hours at 40-50% volume.
Cons: Warm sound with boosted bass. 8 hour battery at medium volume. Not at loud as others.
Full Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.3" x 11.3" (285.8 x 285.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 75mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 50W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| TWS | Yes (see https://www.reddit.com/r/Bluetooth_Speakers/comments/w339x5/how_to_harman_kardon_onyx_studio_5_6_dual_sound/) |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs / 3 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs JBL Boombox 3 Wifi
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 2
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs JBL Boombox 4
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs JBL Boombox 3
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs Zealot S89
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs LG Xboom Stage 301
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs Zealot ZE21
- See all 19 comparisons
Soundcore Boom 2 Plus: $169.98 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: Quite a bit lighter than most of the other boombox size speakers. This speaker will likely move up as we get a good EQ tune that makes it a lot more neutral.
Cons: Warm tuning meaning a rolled off treble and some upper bass boost. Reasonably deep bass, but not as good as the top ranked.
Full Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 17.3" x 9.1" x 5.9" (440 x 230 x 150 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 114mm (4.5") woofers + 2x 19mm (0.75") tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (Pro EQ + presets) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 111dB |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 140W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast 2.0) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 8.4 lbs / 3.8 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: This sounds totally different now! Soundcore Boom Plus 2 firmware 03.10
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Boom 2 Plus Review - worst boombox speaker under $400?
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Soundcore Boom 2 Plus VS Tribit Stormbox Blast 🛜 Boombox Basement Battle 📊Custom EQ 🔥Who You Got?
- Picky Audio: SO CLOSE! Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox 3
- Picky Audio: Extended Sound Test (Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox 3)
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: NEW RELEASE! Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs Motion Boom Plus🤯Stock EQ, Bass^ Enabled🤜🤛 A Family Feud😆
- GYMCADDY: Soundcore Boom 2 Plus Showcase - Lots Of Bass In A Small Package
- EL JEFE REVIEWS: Soundcore Boom 2 Plus 💥 BIGGER & BADDER!
- Jagist reviews: Zealot S95 Vs Soundcore Boom 2 Plus!!!
- Reddit Search for Soundcore Boom 2 Plus Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs W-King D20
- Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs Zealot ZE01
- Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs Zealot S95
- Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs LG Xboom Stage 301
- Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox 2
- Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs JBL Authentics 300
- Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
- Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox 3
- See all 24 comparisons