Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, if you are buying new. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 ranks higher than the ION Pathfinder 280 (#13 vs #100 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 6 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass pick. A waterproof carry speaker with warm sound, deep bass for its size, and pairing with a second unit. Its bass reaches about 37Hz before falling 10dB, against 58Hz for the ION Pathfinder 280. At 6.5 lbs (2.94 kg) it weighs much less than the ION Pathfinder 280 at 23.8 lbs (10.8 kg). It is rated IPX7 against IPX5 for the ION Pathfinder 280. The catch: Warm tuning with boosted bass, and not as loud as others.
The ION Pathfinder 280 is the longer-running pick. A wheeled all day event speaker with a very long battery, lights, FM radio and a full graphic EQ that gets loud without strain. It is rated for 100 hours of battery against 8 for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 lacks. The tradeoff: Out of the box, the midrange and treble are uneven enough to sound alternately honky and dull, and the bass does not extend as deeply as better party speakers.
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, the replacement for the discontinued Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6; it is rated higher for sound quality than the ION Pathfinder 280.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
A waterproof carry speaker with warm sound, deep bass for its size, and pairing with a second unit.
A wheeled all day event speaker with a very long battery, lights, FM radio and a full graphic EQ that gets loud without strain.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 | ION Pathfinder 280 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 Discontinued | $199.99 |
| Ranked | #13 of 112 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #100 of 112 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz | 58Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 100 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX5 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 180ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 100dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) | No |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2A) | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | 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/) | Yes |
| Weight | 6.5 lbs (2.94 kg) | 23.8 lbs (10.8 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | Yes (High/Low frequency) |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A) |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.0 |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS | 120W |
| Dimensions | 5” x 11.5” x 11.2” (128 x 291 x 284 mm) | 14.8” x 10.6” x 17.6” (375.9 x 269.2 x 447 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 120mm (4.7”) woofer + 1x 25mm (1”) tweeter + 1x passive radiator | 2x 4” (102mm) drivers |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | - |
| FM Tuner | - | Yes |
| Microphone Input | - | No |
| Lights | - | Yes |
| Wheels | - | Yes |
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