Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 is the better pick: it ranks #24 of 98 boombox speakers by sound quality (rated 3.9/5), against #62 (rated 3.1/5) for the Soundcore Rave Party 2. If you want one new, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 replaces the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 and is rated 4.1/5 at $189.99.
The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 is the better-sounding, lighter option. The iconic circular cabinet and integrated handle make it an attractive room-to-room speaker. At 6.6 lbs (3 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the Soundcore Rave Party 2 at 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg). It is rated IPX7 against IPX4 for the Soundcore Rave Party 2. Watch for: The large bass boost can mask lower-mid detail and make dense mixes muddy.
The Soundcore Rave Party 2 is the longer-running choice. It is rated for 16 hours of battery against 8 for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 lacks. The tradeoff: Only IPX4 splash resistance, and bass extension seems limited.
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 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, buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, which replaces the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 | Soundcore Rave Party 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.99 Discontinued | $159.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #24 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #62 of 98 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 | Yes | Yes |
| 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 |
| Amplifier 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 | 120mm woofer + 25mm tweeter + 2x passive radiators | 2x 4” (100mm) woofers + 2x 2” (50mm) tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.3 |
| Strap | No | No |
| Microphone Input | - | Yes (Karaoke mode with reverb effect) |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5:
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5
Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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 Discontinued Amazon $499.99 eBay
Newer model: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, ranked higher, rated 4.1/5, released Dec 2024.
Older model: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 (rated 3.3/5). See every Harman Kardon Onyx Studio generation.
Pros: The iconic circular cabinet and integrated handle make it an attractive room-to-room speaker. Reviews praise its generous bass, balanced mids and smooth top end at moderate levels, giving it a warm, relaxed presentation for casual indoor music.
Cons: The large bass boost can mask lower-mid detail and make dense mixes muddy. Battery life is only around eight hours at moderate volume, it is not especially loud, and it has no water resistance for outdoor use. Discontinued.
Full Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W |
| App | No |
| 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 | 11.3” x 11.3” (285.8 x 285.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 25mm tweeter + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Strap | No |
| 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
- Alan Ross Reviews: Ultimate HK Onyx Studio speaker review and comparison! 8 speakers! More from alanrossreviews →
- KULAS TECH SHOW: Harman / Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs Onyx Studio 7 - Close battle🔥🔥 More from KULASTECHSHOW20 →
- OCM Reviews: Onyx Studio 4 Vs Onyx Studio 5 - Sound Quality Comparison - Bluetooth Speaker
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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Soundcore Rave Party 2: $159.99 Discontinued Amazon $159.99 eBay
Older models: the Soundcore Trance (rated 2.1/5) and the Soundcore Rave Mega (rated 2.1/5). See every Soundcore Rave Party generation.
Pros: Soundcore Rave Party 2 uses 2x 4” (100mm) woofers + 2x 2” (50mm) tweeters. Its 4.6 kg, claimed 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IPX4 protection, aux input and stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use.
Cons: There is no companion app. Only IPX4 splash resistance, and bass extension seems limited. Discontinued.
Full Soundcore Rave Party 2 review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 80W RMS / 120W peak |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| 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 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with reverb effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast 2.0 up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| 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 🔥 Unboxing & Short Sound Demo. Is This The New Speaker To Beat Under $200?💵 More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Soundcore Rave Party 2 vs. Tribit Stormbox Blast - Bluetooth Speaker Basement ⚒ Battle
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Soundcore Rave Party 2 🎇 & Rave Neo 2 🎉 Head to Head Off The Floor. A Family Battle❗️
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Skullcandy Barrel XT vs Soundcore Rave Party 2 (Stock & Custom EQ) 🛜 Battery Powered🔋Let’s Get It🧨
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Triple Threat 💸 $200 Challenge 🔋 Soundcore Rave Party 2, W-King H10, JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- Jagist reviews: Soundcore Rave Party 2 Bass Test 😍 More from Jagistreviews →
- Flossy Carter: Soundcore Rave Neo 2 / Rave Party 2 - Affordable Party Speakers with RGB Lights More from FlossyCarter →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Rave Party 2 vs Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2
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