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 X20S (#24 vs #30 of 91 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 lighter pick. 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 X20S at 13.8 lbs (6.25 kg). The catch: The large bass boost can mask lower-mid detail and make dense mixes muddy.
The W-King X20S is the longer-running choice. Clearer and smoother than the larger W-King X20 at about half its size and weight, and in side by side tests it held its own against the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3, with nicer, more exposed mids and more volume. 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: Less bass and depth than the W-King X20 and about 3dB quieter, and at maximum volume its mids and highs start to drown out the bass.
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 X20S.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 | W-King X20S | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.99 Discontinued | $150.99 |
| Ranked | #24 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #30 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) | - |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Partially |
| 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) | 13.8 lbs (6.25 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| App | No | Yes (W-KING) |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | 140W RMS (180W peak) |
| Dimensions | 11.3” x 11.3” (285.8 x 285.8 mm) | 7.6”H x 17.4”W x 9.4”D (192 x 442 x 240 mm) |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 25mm tweeter + 2x passive radiators | 1x 6.5” subwoofer, 2x 1.1” tweeters, 2x passive radiator |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.4 |
| Strap | No | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
| FM Tuner | - | 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 10, 2026 at 5:37 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 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
- KULAS TECH SHOW: Harman / Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs Onyx Studio 7 - Close battle🔥🔥 More from KULASTECHSHOW20 →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Ultimate HK Onyx Studio speaker review and comparison! 8 speakers! More from alanrossreviews →
- OCM Reviews: Onyx Studio 4 Vs Onyx Studio 5 - Sound Quality Comparison - Bluetooth Speaker
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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W-King X20S: $150.99 AliExpress W-King eBay
Pros: Clearer and smoother than the larger W-King X20 at about half its size and weight, and in side by side tests it held its own against the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3, with nicer, more exposed mids and more volume. 140W RMS (180W peak), IPX7, Bluetooth 5.4, a built-in microphone, TF card, USB and aux playback, FM radio, a carry handle and a shoulder strap.
Cons: Less bass and depth than the W-King X20 and about 3dB quieter, and at maximum volume its mids and highs start to drown out the bass. With a flat EQ the bass is cut off, so it needs the bass boost. The JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 sounded better in a direct comparison. Sold direct from W-King in the US.
Full W-King X20S review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2026 (9 months ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 140W RMS (180W peak) |
| App | Yes (W-KING) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Dimensions | 7.6”H x 17.4”W x 9.4”D (192 x 442 x 240 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 6.5” subwoofer, 2x 1.1” tweeters, 2x passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes |
| FM Tuner | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 13.8 lbs (6.25 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jagist reviews: W-king X20 Vs W-king X20S!!! More from Jagistreviews →
- Jagist reviews: W-king X20s Vs Harman Kardon Go Plus Play 3!!!
- Mateusz Cholewa: 140W W-KING X20S vs 160W HK Go Plus Play 3 More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Encore Essential 2 Vs W-king X20s!!!
- Jagist reviews: W-king X20s Vs Tribit Stormbox Blast!!!
- Jagist reviews: Ruimatech RM-10 Vs W-king X20s!!! Battle Of The Affordable’s!!!
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