Short answer: the Onyx Studio 6, the newer Onyx 7 costs far more without sounding better. The Onyx 6 ranks #12 and the Onyx 7 ranks #13 out of 75 boombox speakers, with the 6 priced $118.90 less.
Both speakers share the identical driver set: two 75mm woofers and two 20mm tweeters, the same 50W RMS output, and the same 37Hz bass extension. Despite that, the newer Onyx 7’s own review describes it as sounding a little sterile with a teeny bit less bass than the Onyx 6, and a side-by-side review from Oluv reportedly favored the Onyx 6 slightly. The Onyx 6’s warm, boosted-bass tuning simply comes across as more engaging.
The Onyx 7 also gave up a meaningful durability feature: it has no water rating at all, while the Onyx 6 carries IPX7 protection for brief submersion. The Onyx 7 does move to a round cabinet design and switches from full stereo to a single central woofer (partial stereo), while the Onyx 6 keeps true stereo separation with its dual-woofer layout.
Everything else lines up closely: both run about 8 hours per charge at medium volume, both support Wireless Dual Sound party-mode pairing, both include an aux input and built-in microphone, and neither has an app or onboard EQ.
Buy the Onyx 6 for the same sound with slightly more bass, true stereo separation, IPX7 water resistance, and a much lower price.
Buy the Onyx 7 only if you specifically prefer its round design and don’t mind paying more for a speaker that sounds a bit more sterile and drops water resistance entirely.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 at IPX7 (brief submersion) against the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7, which has no water resistance.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 | Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 | $248.90 |
| Ranked | #12 of 75 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #13 of 75 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz | 37Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | None |
| Bluetooth Latency | 180ms | 266ms |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2A) | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) |
| Stereo | No | Partially (1 woofer) |
| 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/) | No |
| Weight | 6.5 lbs (2.94 kg) | 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS | 50W RMS |
| Dimensions | 5" x 11.5" x 11.2" (128 x 291 x 284 mm) | 11.3" x 11.3" (285.8 x 285.8 mm) (round design) |
| Drivers | 1x 120mm (4.7") woofer + 1x 25mm (1") tweeter + 1x passive radiator | 120mm woofer + 2x 25mm tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Latency | - | 0ms |
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- JBL Partybox Encore vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6
Prices on this page were last checked September 23, 2026 at 11:24 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 6: $130 Amazon eBay
Pros: Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 uses a 120mm woofer, 25mm tweeter and passive radiator. Its 2.94 kg, claimed 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IPX7 protection, aux input and up to 96dB make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Measured bass extension of 37Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 37Hz specification. There is no companion app. No EQ adjustment.
Full Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 180ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5" x 11.5" x 11.2" (128 x 291 x 284 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 120mm (4.7") woofer + 1x 25mm (1") tweeter + 1x passive radiator |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2A) |
| Stereo | 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 | 6.5 lbs (2.94 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Onyx Studio 7 vs Onyx Studio 6 - massive deep bass battle 😁 More from alanrossreviews →
- That Speaker Guy: Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 vs Devialet Mania
- Ezekielo: Citation 200 vs Onyx Studio 6 vs Bose Portable Speaker Sound Comparison
- Alan Ross Reviews: Harman Kardon Go+ Play 2 mini or Onyx Studio 6 - best speaker for bass?
- Alan Ross Reviews: Ultimate HK Onyx Studio speaker review and comparison! 8 speakers!
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8
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Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7: $248.90 Amazon eBay
Pros: The addition of dual tweeters gives the Studio 7 a wider, more spacious presentation than older Onyx models. It delivers strong, deep bass, useful large-room volume and can pair with a second Studio 7 for stereo. Measured bass extension of 37Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Consumer Reports finds the bass prominent and boomy, mids hazy, treble slightly smeared and the soundstage congested. Battery life remains only about eight hours, it has no water rating or advanced codecs, and it is not an especially loud outdoor speaker.
Full Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 266ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.3" x 11.3" (285.8 x 285.8 mm) (round design) |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 2x 25mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 2 vs Onyx Studio 7 big bass battle 💋 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Onyx Studio 7 vs Onyx Studio 6 - massive deep bass battle 😁
- Geri’s Collection: Harman Kardon Onyx 7 vs Onyx 4
- 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!
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Ultra
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 vs Zealot ZE21
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- See all 55 comparisons