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 #65 (rated 3.0/5) for the Sony SRS-XG500. 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, 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 Sony SRS-XG500. At 6.5 lbs (2.94 kg) it weighs much less than the Sony SRS-XG500 at 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg). The catch: Warm tuning with boosted bass, and not as loud as others.
The Sony SRS-XG500 is the longer-running choice. 30 hour battery life; 10-min quick-charge gives 3 hours. It is rated for 30 hours of battery against 8 for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 lacks. Watch for: Thuddy upper bass, not as deep bass as others.
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 | Sony SRS-XG500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 Discontinued | $399.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #13 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #65 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz | 49Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP66 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 180ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) | Yes (Party 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) | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| App | No | Yes (Music Center, Fiestable) |
| EQ | No | Yes (App + ClearAudio+) |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.0 |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS | 2x 25W + 2x 10W |
| Dimensions | 5” x 11.5” x 11.2” (128 x 291 x 284 mm) | 18.1” x 10.1” x 8.5” (460 x 256 x 215 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 120mm (4.7”) woofer + 1x 25mm (1”) tweeter + 1x passive radiator | 2x 30mm tweeters + 2x 40mm mid-range + 1x 60mm woofer |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | 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
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- 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
Sony SRS-XG500: $399.99 Discontinued Amazon $399.99 eBay
Newer model: the Sony ULT Field 7, ranked higher, rated 3.2/5, released Apr 2024. It drops app control. Water resistance goes from IP66 to IP67. See every Sony XB and ULT generation.
Pros: 30 hour battery life; 10-min quick-charge gives 3 hours. Battery care function stops charging at 90% to extend longevity. IP66 water/dust resistant. Two USB-A ports (one charges devices), mic/guitar inputs, AUX. Party mode links 100+ speakers. Measured bass extension of 49Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Thuddy upper bass, not as deep bass as others. Speaker will not remain at max volume and will turn itself down automatically. Discontinued.
Full Sony SRS-XG500 review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 2x 25W + 2x 10W |
| App | Yes (Music Center, Fiestable) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 18.1” x 10.1” x 8.5” (460 x 256 x 215 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 30mm tweeters + 2x 40mm mid-range + 1x 60mm woofer |
| EQ | Yes (App + ClearAudio+) |
| IP Rating | IP66 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DLX Willington: Sony SRS-XG500 vs JBL Encore Essential Sound Battle More from DLXWillington →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit Stormbox Blast 🆚 Sony SRS-XG500 - Tailgater Special - Battery Powered ☢️ Bass Boost Enabled. More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jagist reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Sony SRS XG 500 More from Jagistreviews →
- GYMCADDY: Soundboks Go Vs JBL Boombox 2 Vs UE Hyperboom Vs Sony XG500 More from GYMCADDY →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs JBL Partybox On the Go
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs JBL Boombox
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs Soundcore Motion Boom+
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs Soundcore Rave Party 2
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs Sony ULT Field 7
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs Skullcandy Barrel
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs Teufel Boomster NG (2017)
- See all 53 comparisons