Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, if you are buying new. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 ranks higher than the W-King X20 (#24 vs #41 of 98 boombox speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, is rated 4.1/5 at $189.99 and is still sold new.
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 much less than the W-King X20 at 15.9 lbs (7.2 kg). It links with other speakers (Wireless Dual Sound), which the W-King X20 cannot. The catch: The large bass boost can mask lower-mid detail and make dense mixes muddy.
The W-King X20 is the longer-running option. 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 catch: Rising frequency response but upper treble rolled off, 700Hz and 1.2kHz peaks.
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 W-King X20.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 | W-King X20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.99 Discontinued | $229.99 after coupon |
| Ranked | #24 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #41 of 98 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) | 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) | 15.9 lbs (7200 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | Yes (W-King app) |
| EQ | No | Yes (App + button modes) |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A) |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | 330W peak / 200W RMS |
| Dimensions | 11.3” x 11.3” (285.8 x 285.8 mm) | 19.9” x 8.5” x 10.6” (506 x 217 x 270 mm) |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 25mm tweeter + 2x passive radiators | 7.5” subwoofer + drivers |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.4 |
| Strap | No | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~42Hz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 112dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | - | 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
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W-King X20: $229.99 after coupon Amazon $229.99 eBay
Pros: 200W RMS output with 330W peak power, 112dB max volume, exceptional 24-hour battery life with power bank, IPX6 waterproof, EQ with app control and button modes, 7.5-inch subwoofer, Bluetooth 5.3, dual pairing, MicroSD and USB playback, AUX input, TWS stereo mode with 240W combined. Measured bass extension of ~42Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Rising frequency response but upper treble rolled off, 700Hz and 1.2kHz peaks
Full W-King X20 review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 330W peak / 200W RMS |
| App | Yes (W-King app) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~42Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19.9” x 8.5” x 10.6” (506 x 217 x 270 mm) |
| Drivers | 7.5” subwoofer + drivers |
| EQ | Yes (App + button modes) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| Maximum SPL | 112dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 15.9 lbs (7200 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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