Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6. It ranks #11 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $130; the LG Xboom Stage 301 ranks #23 and costs $279.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 side: Warm sound with boosted bass. Oluv liked it slightly better than the newer Onyx 7. Watch for: 8 hour battery at medium volume. Not at loud as others.
The case for the LG Xboom Stage 301: Wedge-style design works as a karaoke hub with removable/replaceable battery. The catch: overpriced for what it is. Not the greatest frequency response.
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6. It ranks higher for sound quality than the LG Xboom Stage 301 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If water resistance matters to you, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 at IPX7 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the LG Xboom Stage 301 at IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 | LG Xboom Stage 301 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 | $279.99 |
| Ranked | #11 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #23 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX4 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 180ms | - |
| Max Volume | 96dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2A) | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Partially (1 woofer) |
| 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/) | No |
| Weight | 6.5 lbs / 2.94 kg | 13.7 lbs / 6.2 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | AAC, SBC |
| App | No | Yes (LG Xboom app) |
| EQ | No | Yes (App EQ) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | - |
| Output Power | 50W RMS | 120W |
| Dimensions | 5" x 11.5" x 11.2" (128 x 291 x 284 mm) | 8.7" x 3.1" x 3.5" (220 x 80 x 90 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 75mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters | 6.5" woofer + dual 2.5" midrange drivers (Peerless) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Aiwa Exos-9 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8
- Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 vs Zealot ZE01
- Earfun Uboom X vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
- LG Xboom Stage 301 vs Zealot ZE01
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7
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
- See all 22 comparisons
LG Xboom Stage 301: $279.99 Amazon
Pros: Wedge-style design works as a karaoke hub with removable/replaceable battery. Multiple standing positions. AI audio optimization via Dual-Bar lighting.
Cons: overpriced for what it is. Not the greatest frequency response.
Full LG Xboom Stage 301 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (LG Xboom app) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7" x 3.1" x 3.5" (220 x 80 x 90 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5" woofer + dual 2.5" midrange drivers (Peerless) |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 120W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs / 6.2 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jagist reviews: LG xboom Stage 301 Vs Zealot S95!!!
- Jagist reviews: LG xboom Stage 301 Vs W-king X20!!!
- Mike O’Brien: What Did LG Just Launch? (NEW will.i.am x LG xboom Speakers)
- GYMCADDY: LG’s New xboom Speaker And Earbud Lineup Explained - Meet The Stage 301, Bounce, Grab And Buds!
- Reddit Search for LG Xboom Stage 301 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- LG Xboom Stage 301 vs Zealot S95
- LG Xboom Stage 301 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
- LG Xboom Stage 301 vs JBL Boombox 3
- LG Xboom Stage 301 vs Zealot ZE01
- LG Xboom Stage 301 vs JBL Boombox 3 Wifi
- LG Xboom Stage 301 vs Soundcore Boom 2 Plus
- LG Xboom Stage 301 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5
- LG Xboom Stage 301 vs W-King X20
- See all 27 comparisons