Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 for better sound quality, the Soundcore Rave Party 2 for the lower price. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 ranks #19 of 73 boombox speakers at $499.99. The Soundcore Rave Party 2 ranks #42 at $199.95, $300.04 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 Rave Party 2 offers: This speaker may move around in the rankings as we get better sound samples. Watch for: Poor water rating. Bass extension doesn’t seem very good.
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Soundcore Rave Party 2 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
Battery life favors the Soundcore Rave Party 2: rated for 16 hours against 8 hours for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 at IPX7 (brief submersion) against the Soundcore Rave Party 2, which has IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 | Soundcore Rave Party 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.99 | $199.95 |
| Ranked | #19 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #42 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX4 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) | Yes (PartyCast 2.0 up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) | AC Power brick |
| 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 | 10.1 lbs / 4.6 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | Yes (App EQ) |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A) |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Output Power | 50W | 80W RMS / 120W peak |
| Dimensions | 11.3" x 11.3" (285.8 x 285.8 mm) | 7.5" x 7.8" x 15.7" (191 x 198 x 400 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 75mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters | 2x 4" (100mm) woofers + 2x 2" (50mm) tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Microphone Input | - | Yes (Karaoke mode with reverb effect) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
Other pairings from the same speaker class worth checking:
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs JBL Boombox 3
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs Teufel Boomster 2021
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs Teufel Boomster NG (2017)
- JBL Boombox 2 vs Soundcore Rave Party 2
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs W-King D20
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 Rave Party 2: $199.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: This speaker may move around in the rankings as we get better sound samples.
Cons: Poor water rating. Bass extension doesn’t seem very good.
Full Soundcore Rave Party 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.5" x 7.8" x 15.7" (191 x 198 x 400 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 4" (100mm) woofers + 2x 2" (50mm) tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with reverb effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 80W RMS / 120W peak |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast 2.0 up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs / 4.6 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Soundcore Rave Party 2 vs. Tribit Stormbox Blast - Bluetooth Speaker Basement ⚒ Battle More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Soundcore Rave Party 2 🎇 & Rave Neo 2 🎉 Head to Head Off The Floor. A Family Battle❗️
- Jagist reviews: Soundcore Rave Party 2 Bass Test 😍 More from Jagistreviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Triple Threat 💸 $200 Challenge 🔋 Soundcore Rave Party 2, W-King H10, JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Soundcore Rave Party 2 🔥 Unboxing & Short Sound Demo. Is This The New Speaker To Beat Under $200?💵
- Flossy Carter: Soundcore Rave Neo 2 / Rave Party 2 - Affordable Party Speakers with RGB Lights More from FlossyCarter →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Skullcandy Barrel XT vs Soundcore Rave Party 2 (Stock & Custom EQ) 🛜 Battery Powered🔋Let’s Get It🧨
- Reddit Search for Soundcore Rave Party 2 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Rave Party 2 vs Sony ULT Field 7
- Soundcore Rave Party 2 vs JBL Partybox On the Go
- Soundcore Rave Party 2 vs Skullcandy Barrel
- Soundcore Rave Party 2 vs Sony SRS-XG500
- Soundcore Rave Party 2 vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3
- Soundcore Rave Party 2 vs JBL Boombox
- Soundcore Rave Party 2 vs Soundcore Motion Boom+
- Soundcore Rave Party 2 vs Teufel Boomster NG (2017)
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