Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7. It ranks #14 of 112 boombox speakers by sound quality (rated 4.1/5) at $248.90 and is still sold new; the Demerbox DB2 ranks #74 (rated 2.8/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 is the better-sounding choice. An elegant home portable with warm, spacious sound, strong deep bass, and stereo pairing with a second unit. It links with other speakers (Wireless Dual Sound), which the Demerbox DB2 cannot. The catch: Consumer Reports finds the bass prominent and boomy, mids hazy, treble slightly smeared and the soundstage congested.
The Demerbox DB2 is the longer-running, tougher pick. A nearly indestructible waterproof speaker built from a Pelican case, with a 40 hour battery and dry storage. It is rated for 40 hours of battery against 8 for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7. It is rated IP67, while the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 has no water resistance. The catch: Bass is not as deep as better speakers.
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Demerbox DB2 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
An elegant home portable with warm, spacious sound, strong deep bass, and stereo pairing with a second unit.
A nearly indestructible waterproof speaker built from a Pelican case, with a 40 hour battery and dry storage.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 | Demerbox DB2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $248.90 | $400 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #14 of 112 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #74 of 112 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | None | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 266ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) | No |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) | 5.4 lbs (2.47 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS | 22W RMS |
| Dimensions | 11.3” x 11.3” (285.8 x 285.8 mm) (round design) | 10.6” x 9.7” x 6.9” (270 x 246 x 175 mm) |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 2x 25mm tweeters | 2x 3” (76mm) aluminum cone full-range drivers |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | - |
| Strap | No | - |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
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