Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7. It ranks #12 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $298.90; the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 ranks #19 and costs $499.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 offers: Warm sound with boosted bass. Watch for: Sounds a little sterile.
On the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 side: Elegant circular design with carrying handle. Set against that: Warm sound with boosted bass.
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If water resistance matters to you, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 at IPX7 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 | Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $298.90 | $499.99 |
| Ranked | #12 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #19 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | None | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 266ms | - |
| Max Volume | 96dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes (see https://www.reddit.com/r/Bluetooth_Speakers/comments/w339x5/how_to_harman_kardon_onyx_studio_5_6_dual_sound/) |
| Weight | 6.4 lbs / 2.9 kg | 6.6 lbs / 3 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Output Power | 50W RMS | 50W |
| Dimensions | 11.3" x 11.3" (285.8 x 285.8 mm) (round design) | 11.3" x 11.3" (285.8 x 285.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 75mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters | 2x 75mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7: $298.90 Amazon
Pros: Warm sound with boosted bass.
Cons: Sounds a little sterile. 8 hour battery at medium volume, teeny bit less bass than the Onyx 6. Not at loud as others. No water rating.
Full Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 266ms |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.3" x 11.3" (285.8 x 285.8 mm) (round design) |
| Drivers | 2x 75mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Max Volume | 96dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 50W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 6.4 lbs / 2.9 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 2 vs Onyx Studio 7 big bass battle 💋
- Alan Ross Reviews: Onyx Studio 7 vs Onyx Studio 6 - massive deep bass battle 😁
- Geri’s Collection: Harman Kardon Onyx 7 vs Onyx 4
- KULAS TECH SHOW: Harman / Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs Onyx Studio 7 - Close battle🔥🔥
- Alan Ross Reviews: Ultimate HK Onyx Studio speaker review and comparison! 8 speakers!
- Reddit Search for Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 vs Zealot ZE41
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 vs Zealot ZE21
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 vs Zealot S89
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 vs JBL Boombox 4
- See all 19 comparisons
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5: $499.99 Amazon
Pros: Elegant circular design with carrying handle. Bass-heavy with balanced mids and highs. Rechargeable Li-ion battery rated 7-8 hours at 40-50% volume.
Cons: Warm sound with boosted bass. 8 hour battery at medium volume. Not at loud as others.
Full Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.3" x 11.3" (285.8 x 285.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 75mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 50W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| 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 | 6.6 lbs / 3 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs JBL Boombox 3 Wifi
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 2
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs JBL Boombox 4
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs JBL Boombox 3
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs Zealot S89
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs LG Xboom Stage 301
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs Zealot ZE21
- See all 19 comparisons