Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, if you are buying new. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 ranks higher than the Tronsmart Bang Max (#24 vs #52 of 112 boombox speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, is rated 4.1/5 at $184.99 and is still sold new.
The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 is the better-sounding, lighter option. An iconic round speaker with warm, relaxed sound and generous bass for casual indoor listening. At 6.6 lbs (3 kg) it weighs much less than the Tronsmart Bang Max at 12.8 lbs (5.8 kg). It links with other speakers (Wireless Dual Sound), which the Tronsmart Bang Max cannot. Watch for: The large bass boost can mask lower-mid detail and make dense mixes muddy.
The Tronsmart Bang Max is the longer-running option. A loud, feature packed party speaker with big bass, app EQ, lights, and separate mic and guitar inputs. It is rated for 24 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: Its bass-first tuning prioritizes impact over accuracy: upper mids and lower treble can sound unnatural, while fine midrange and treble detail are limited.
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, the replacement for the discontinued Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5; it is rated higher for sound quality than the Tronsmart Bang Max.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
An iconic round speaker with warm, relaxed sound and generous bass for casual indoor listening.
A loud, feature packed party speaker with big bass, app EQ, lights, and separate mic and guitar inputs.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 | Tronsmart Bang Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.99 Discontinued | $229.99 |
| Ranked | #24 of 112 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #52 of 112 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX6 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) | No |
| 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) | 12.8 lbs (5.8 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes (multiple modes) |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A) |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | 130W |
| Dimensions | 11.3” x 11.3” (285.8 x 285.8 mm) | 18.5” x 7.8” x 10.2” (470 x 199 x 260 mm) |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 25mm tweeter + 2x passive radiators | 2x ~165mm (6.5”) woofers + 2x ~63mm (2.5”) mid drivers + 2x ~25mm (1”) tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.3 |
| Strap | No | - |
| Aux Latency | - | 16ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 39Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 160ms |
| Maximum SPL | - | 111dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
| Lights | - | Yes |
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