Short answer: the Hopestar A90, if you are buying new. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 ranks higher than it (#13 vs #22 of 91 boombox speakers, 4.1/5 vs 3.9/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Hopestar A90 is still sold new at $351.65.
What the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 does well: Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 uses a 120mm woofer, 25mm tweeter and passive radiator. The catch: Bass is limited by its 37Hz specification.
Why pick the Hopestar A90: A huge, powerful 700W boombox with eight drivers (two 5” woofers, two 3.5” midranges and four tweeters), a removable 36,000mAh battery and a wireless microphone. The tradeoff: The JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2 was the better, more refined listen in a direct comparison.
Buy the Hopestar A90 new; the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 is no longer sold new, so it only makes sense as a used find.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 | Hopestar A90 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 Discontinued | $351.65 |
| Ranked | #13 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #22 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 6-8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX6 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 180ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2A) | - |
| Stereo | No | - |
| 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/) | - |
| Weight | 6.5 lbs (2.94 kg) | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.4 |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS | 700W |
| Dimensions | 5” x 11.5” x 11.2” (128 x 291 x 284 mm) | 24.6” x 9.9” x 13.4” (624.5 x 252.5 x 341.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 120mm (4.7”) woofer + 1x 25mm (1”) tweeter + 1x passive radiator | 2x 5” woofers + 2x 3.5” midranges + 2x 2.5” tweeters + 2x 2” ceramic tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Strap | No | - |
| Removable Battery | - | Yes |
| Frequency Response | - | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
| Wireless Microphones | - | Yes 1 Included |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 compares with other leading options:
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6
Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, ranked lower, rated 4.1/5.
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. Warm tuning with boosted bass, and not as loud as others. Discontinued.
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 | Yes |
| 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 |
| 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 | 6.5 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
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Ultra
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 vs Vifa Copenhagen 2.0
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 vs Zealot ZE51
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 vs Zealot ZE41
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- See all 62 comparisons
Hopestar A90: $351.65 AliExpress eBay
Pros: A huge, powerful 700W boombox with eight drivers (two 5” woofers, two 3.5” midranges and four tweeters), a removable 36,000mAh battery and a wireless microphone. In side by side tests it had better highs, clarity and soundstage than the Zealot ZE21 while still reaching deep, reviewers picked it over the JBL Boombox 4 for its bass and output, and it sounded powerful and true to the music against the JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2. Bluetooth 5.4 with Auracast, IPX6, USB, TF and aux inputs, RGB lights and a strap attachment.
Cons: The JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2 was the better, more refined listen in a direct comparison. The Yeahbox Sonic Boom Ultra measured roughly 3 to 5dB louder. There is no app or EQ. It is very large and heavy (13.2 kg boxed), claims only 6 to 8 hours of battery, and it is sold through AliExpress rather than US retailers.
Full Hopestar A90 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 700W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 6-8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 24.6” x 9.9” x 13.4” (624.5 x 252.5 x 341.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 5” woofers + 2x 3.5” midranges + 2x 2.5” tweeters + 2x 2” ceramic tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| Lights | Yes |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 1 Included |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jagist reviews: Hopestar A90 Vs Jbl Boombox 4!!! Battle Of The Gods!!! More from Jagistreviews →
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Firmware Updated Vs Hopestar A90!!! Rematch Of Beasts!!!
- Jagist reviews: Hopestar A90 Vs Zealot Ze41!!! Battle Of Shear Power!!!
- Jagist reviews: Hopestar A90 Vs Zealot Ze21!!! Deep Bass Vs Powerful Bass!!!
- Jagist reviews: Hopestar A90 Vs Jbl Encore Essential 2!!! Deep Bass Vs Powerhouse Bass!!!
- Head-to-Head Comparisons