Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 is the better pick: it ranks #13 of 98 boombox speakers by sound quality (rated 4.1/5), against #67 (rated 2.9/5) for the JBL Boombox. If you want one new, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 replaces the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 and is rated 4.1/5 at $189.99.
The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 is the better-sounding, lighter option. Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 uses a 120mm woofer, 25mm tweeter and passive radiator. At 6.5 lbs (2.94 kg) it weighs much less than the JBL Boombox at 11.5 lbs (5.2 kg). It is rated IPX7 against IPX5 for the JBL Boombox. The tradeoff: Warm tuning with boosted bass, and not as loud as others.
The JBL Boombox is the longer-running option. Claimed 24 hours (manufacturer specified) battery life, ipx5 protection and stereo playback make its feature set practical for its intended room or portable use. It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 8 for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6. Watch for: Treble is not very smooth.
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, which replaces the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 | JBL Boombox | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 Discontinued | $399 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #13 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #67 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX5 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 180ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2A) | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | 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) | 11.5 lbs (5.2 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A) |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS | 60W AC / 40W battery |
| Dimensions | 5” x 11.5” x 11.2” (128 x 291 x 284 mm) | 10” x 18.1” x 7.7” (254.5 x 458.5 x 195.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 120mm (4.7”) woofer + 1x 25mm (1”) tweeter + 1x passive radiator | 2x 65mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | - |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
| Microphone Input | - | No |
| MicroSD Playback | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6:
- 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 12, 2026 at 4:13 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 $130 eBay
Newer model: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, ranked lower, rated 4.1/5, released Dec 2024.
Older models: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 (ranked lower, rated 3.9/5) and the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 (rated 3.3/5). See every Harman Kardon Onyx Studio generation.
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 →
| Released | Sep 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| 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 →
- Alan Ross Reviews: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5ImoaGw3t0
- 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!
- That Speaker Guy: Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 vs Devialet Mania
- Ezekielo: Citation 200 vs Onyx Studio 6 vs Bose Portable Speaker Sound Comparison
- 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 64 comparisons
JBL Boombox: $399 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Boombox 4, ranked higher, rated 4/5, released Jul 2025. See every JBL Boombox generation.
Pros: At 5.2 kg, JBL Boombox combines 2x 65mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators with Bluetooth and aux. Claimed 24 hours (manufacturer specified) battery life, ipx5 protection and stereo playback make its feature set practical for its intended room or portable use. JBL Connect+ links up to 100 compatible speakers.
Cons: There is no companion app. No EQ adjustment. Treble is not very smooth. Discontinued.
Full JBL Boombox review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 60W AC / 40W battery |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10” x 18.1” x 7.7” (254.5 x 458.5 x 195.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 65mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 11.5 lbs (5.2 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Boombox vs Soundcore Motion Boom+
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- See all 61 comparisons