Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7. It ranks #12 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $298.90; the JBL Boombox 2 ranks #29 and costs $350, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 gets right: Warm sound with boosted bass. Set against that: Sounds a little sterile. 8 hour battery at medium volume, teeny bit less bass than the Onyx 6.
On the JBL Boombox 2 side: 24 hour battery life (default volume); 20+ hours even at 60% volume. IPX7 rated. The catch: Somewhat bass heavy and boomy.
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Boombox 2 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the JBL Boombox 2 is rated for 24 hours versus 8 hours for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Boombox 2 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 | JBL Boombox 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $298.90 | $350 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #12 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #29 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms | 33ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz | 46Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | None | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 266ms | 140ms |
| Max Volume | 96dB | 108dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| 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 | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A) |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Output Power | 50W RMS | 160W |
| Dimensions | 11.3" x 11.3" (285.8 x 285.8 mm) (round design) | 19.1" x 7.9" x 10.1" (485 x 201 x 257 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 75mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters | 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
| Microphone Input | - | No |
| MicroSD Playback | - | No |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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- JBL Authentics 300 vs JBL Boombox 3
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs JBL Authentics 300
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5
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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
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JBL Boombox 2: $350 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: 24 hour battery life (default volume); 20+ hours even at 60% volume. IPX7 rated. Doubles as a power bank. Bluetooth 5.1 with PartyBoost (up to 100 speakers). Reaches 101dB.
Cons: Somewhat bass heavy and boomy. Discontinued.
Full JBL Boombox 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 33ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 140ms |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19.1" x 7.9" x 10.1" (485 x 201 x 257 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 108dB |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 160W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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- GYMCADDY: Soundboks Go Vs JBL Boombox 2 Vs UE Hyperboom Vs Sony XG500
- Reddit Search for JBL Boombox 2 Review
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