Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, if you are buying new. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 ranks higher than the Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 (#24 vs #59 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 Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 at 16.8 lbs (7.64 kg). The tradeoff: The large bass boost can mask lower-mid detail and make dense mixes muddy.
The case for the Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3: A large party speaker with powerful bass, a big fast charging battery and app EQ for outdoor parties. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 lacks. The tradeoff: There is limited independent testing and the water/dust rating is reported inconsistently across listings.
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 Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3.
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 large party speaker with powerful bass, a big fast charging battery and app EQ for outdoor parties.
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 | Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.99 Discontinued | $228.99 |
| Ranked | #24 of 112 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #59 of 112 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 111Wh (14.8V/7,500mAh) (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX6 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) | - |
| 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) | 16.8 lbs (7.64 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| App | No | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | 200W RMS / 300W Peak |
| Dimensions | 11.3” x 11.3” (285.8 x 285.8 mm) | 20.7” x 8.3” x 10.6” (525 x 210 x 268 mm) |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 25mm tweeter + 2x passive radiators | 189x114mm woofer, 2x 89mm midrange, 2x 38mm tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.3 |
| Strap | No | No |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
| Lights | - | Yes |
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