Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, if you are buying new. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 ranks higher than the JBL Partybox On the Go (#13 vs #64 of 98 boombox speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, is rated 4.1/5 at $189.99 and is still sold new.
The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass option. Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 uses a 120mm woofer, 25mm tweeter and passive radiator. Its bass reaches about 37Hz before falling 10dB, against 49Hz for the JBL Partybox On the Go. At 6.5 lbs (2.94 kg) it weighs much less than the JBL Partybox On the Go at 16.5 lbs (7.5 kg). It is rated IPX7 against IPX4 for the JBL Partybox On the Go. The catch: Warm tuning with boosted bass, and not as loud as others.
What the JBL Partybox On the Go does well: JBL Partybox On the Go uses 5.1” woofer + tweeters. The catch: Bass is limited by its 49Hz specification.
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 JBL Partybox On the Go.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 | JBL Partybox On the Go | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 Discontinued | $249.95 |
| Ranked | #13 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #64 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz | 49Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX4 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 180ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 94dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) | No |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2A) | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | Partially |
| 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) | 16.5 lbs (7.5 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
| EQ | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS | 100W |
| Dimensions | 5” x 11.5” x 11.2” (128 x 291 x 284 mm) | 19.3” x 8.8” x 9.6” (489 x 224 x 244.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 120mm (4.7”) woofer + 1x 25mm (1”) tweeter + 1x passive radiator | 5.1” woofer + tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to 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
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- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 vs Vifa Copenhagen 2.0
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 vs Zealot ZE51
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- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- See all 64 comparisons
JBL Partybox On the Go: $249.95 Amazon $249.95 eBay
Newer model: the JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus, ranked higher, rated 4.4/5, released Apr 2026. It adds USB audio input, adjustable EQ, party mode and LC3. Battery life goes from 6 to 15 hours. See every JBL PartyBox On-The-Go generation.
Pros: JBL Partybox On the Go uses 5.1” woofer + tweeters. Its 7.5 kg, claimed 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IPX4 protection, aux input, up to 94dB and limited-stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. A wireless microphone is included. Measured bass extension of 49Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 49Hz specification. No EQ adjustment. Battery life is short, and its sound trails the rest of the Partybox line.
Full JBL Partybox On the Go review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100W |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49Hz |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19.3” x 8.8” x 9.6” (489 x 224 x 244.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.1” woofer + tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Maximum SPL | 94dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 16.5 lbs (7.5 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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