Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 for better sound quality, the Soundcore Motion Boom+ for the lower price. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 ranks #19 of 73 boombox speakers at $499.99. The Soundcore Motion Boom+ ranks #47 at $140, $359.99 cheaper.
What the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 offers: 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. Watch for: Warm sound with boosted bass. 8 hour battery at medium volume. Not at loud as others.
What the Soundcore Motion Boom+ offers: 80W stereo from dual 30W woofers + dual 10W tweeters with titanium drivers for treble clarity. 13,400mAh battery for 20 hours (12-15 at high volume). IP67 waterproof, floats, rugged build inspires confidence. Bluetooth 5.3 multipoint pairing, Soundcore app EQ, PartyCast 2.0 mode. USB-C input, USB-A output for powerbank. Watch for: Default presets are all warm sounding with rolled off treble. Will need a custom EQ to get closer to neutral. A shrill sounding 6khz peak comes out when volume is above about 60%. Not much deeper bass than a Motion Boom and a lot less deep bass than other speakers in the class.
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Soundcore Motion Boom+ if the price matters more than sound quality.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the Soundcore Motion Boom+ is rated for 20 hours, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 only 8 hours.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 | Soundcore Motion Boom+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.99 | $140 after $40 coupon, Discontinued |
| Ranked | #19 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #47 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 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| 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 | 5.3 lbs / 2.4 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | Yes (Soundcore app) |
| EQ | No | Yes (App EQ) |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Output Power | 50W | 80W |
| Dimensions | 11.3" x 11.3" (285.8 x 285.8 mm) | 15.1" x 5.1" x 7.7" (384 x 130 x 196 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 75mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters | 30W: Dual drivers |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Latency | - | 17ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 52Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 33ms |
| Max Volume | - | 108dB |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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Prices on this page were last checked August 27, 2026 at 10:09 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 5: $499.99 Amazon eBay
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 |
- 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 47 comparisons
Soundcore Motion Boom+: $140 after $40 coupon, Discontinued Amazon eBay
Pros: 80W stereo from dual 30W woofers + dual 10W tweeters with titanium drivers for treble clarity. 13,400mAh battery for 20 hours (12-15 at high volume). IP67 waterproof, floats, rugged build inspires confidence. Bluetooth 5.3 multipoint pairing, Soundcore app EQ, PartyCast 2.0 mode. USB-C input, USB-A output for powerbank.
Cons: Default presets are all warm sounding with rolled off treble. Will need a custom EQ to get closer to neutral. A shrill sounding 6khz peak comes out when volume is above about 60%. Not much deeper bass than a Motion Boom and a lot less deep bass than other speakers in the class. Discontinued.
Full Soundcore Motion Boom+ review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Soundcore app) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 17ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 52Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 33ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 15.1" x 5.1" x 7.7" (384 x 130 x 196 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 30W: Dual drivers |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 108dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 80W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs / 2.4 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Soundcore Motion Boom Plus & Earfun UBoom X - sound test More from Oluv’Sone →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast or Soundcore Motion Boom Plus or W King D10? 🤪 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast Review vs Soundcore Motion Boom Plus - cheap bass!
- DLX Willington: Tough Game! Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Soundcore Motion Boom Plus Binaural sound samples More from DLXWillington →
- Reddit Search for Soundcore Motion Boom+ Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Soundcore Motion Boom+ vs W-King H10
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- See all 47 comparisons