Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6. It ranks #11 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $130; the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi ranks #20 and costs $389.95, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 gets right: Warm sound with boosted bass. The catch: 8 hour battery at medium volume.
The case for the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi: Loudest speaker in the category. The tradeoff: Bass boosted.
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi is rated for 24 hours versus 8 hours for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 | JBL Boombox 3 Wifi | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 | $389.95 |
| Ranked | #11 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #20 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 180ms | - |
| Max Volume | 96dB | 111dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) | No |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2A) | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Yes | 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 | 6.5 lbs / 2.94 kg | 14.6 lbs / 6.6 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | - |
| Output Power | 50W RMS | 200W AC / 140W battery |
| Dimensions | 5" x 11.5" x 11.2" (128 x 291 x 284 mm) | 19.1" x 10.1" x 7.9" (484 x 256 x 200 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 75mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Wifi | - | Yes |
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- JBL Boombox 3 vs Soundcore Boom 2 Plus
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 vs Zealot ZE41
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3
- Earfun Uboom X vs JBL Boombox 3 Wifi
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The Two Speakers In Full
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6: $130 Amazon
Pros: Warm sound with boosted bass. Oluv liked it slightly better than the newer Onyx 7.
Cons: 8 hour battery at medium volume. Not at loud as others.
Full Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 review and specifications →
| 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 | 2x 75mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 96dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 50W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2A) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| 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 |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Onyx Studio 7 vs Onyx Studio 6 - massive deep bass battle 😁
- 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!
- Reddit Search for Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 Review
- 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 Vifa Copenhagen 2.0
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 vs Zealot ZE41
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 vs Zealot ZE21
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 vs JBL Partybox Encore
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JBL Boombox 3 Wifi: $389.95 Amazon
Pros: Loudest speaker in the category. Slightly better frequency response than the non-wifi version.
Cons: Bass boosted. Dip at 160hz
Full JBL Boombox 3 Wifi review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19.1" x 10.1" x 7.9" (484 x 256 x 200 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 111dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 200W AC / 140W battery |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs / 6.6 kg |
| Wifi | Yes |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Dominik Reviews: JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Boombox 3 WiFi - Sound Test - Wide vs Narrow Soundstage!
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- Alan Ross Reviews: Not quite! JBL Authentics 300 review and sound test vs Boombox 3, Encore and Stormbox Blast
- Alan Ross Reviews: WiFi Edition: JBL Boombox 3 ultimate review! vs Boombox 3 Bluetooth edition
- Mateusz Cholewa: Soundcore Rave 3🧐 🆚 Jbl Boombox 3 WiFi
- Reddit Search for JBL Boombox 3 Wifi Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs JBL Boombox 3
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- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 2
- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs JBL Boombox 4
- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs LG Xboom Stage 301
- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs Zealot S95
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