Short answer: the JBL Boombox 2 for battery life and water resistance, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 for price. The Boombox 2 is IPX7 rated and runs 24 hours at default volume, still 20+ at 60%, though it is somewhat bass heavy and boomy. The Onyx Studio 7 is warm with boosted bass, a little sterile and down on bass next to the Onyx 6, at $248.90 against $449.99.
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the JBL Boombox 2 is discontinued.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the JBL Boombox 2 at IPX7 (brief submersion) against the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7, which has no water resistance.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 | JBL Boombox 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $248.90 | $449.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #14 of 90 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #40 of 90 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 |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 108dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A) |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Amplifier 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 | 120mm woofer + 2x 25mm tweeters | 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.1 |
| Strap | No | No |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
| Microphone Input | - | No |
| MicroSD Playback | - | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 3, 2026 at 10:26 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 7: $248.90 Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, ranked lower, rated 4.1/5.
Pros: The addition of dual tweeters gives the Studio 7 a wider, more spacious presentation than older Onyx models. It delivers strong, deep bass, useful large-room volume and can pair with a second Studio 7 for stereo. Measured bass extension of 37Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Consumer Reports finds the bass prominent and boomy, mids hazy, treble slightly smeared and the soundstage congested. Battery life remains only about eight hours, it has no water rating or advanced codecs, and it is not an especially loud outdoor speaker.
Full Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 266ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.3” x 11.3” (285.8 x 285.8 mm) (round design) |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 2x 25mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| 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/2.1A) |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 2 vs Onyx Studio 7 big bass battle 💋 More from alanrossreviews →
- 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🔥🔥 More from KULASTECHSHOW20 →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Ultimate HK Onyx Studio speaker review and comparison! 8 speakers!
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JBL Boombox 2: $449.99 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Newer model: the JBL Boombox 4, ranked higher, rated 4/5.
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. Measured bass extension of 46Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Somewhat bass heavy and boomy. Discontinued.
Full JBL Boombox 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 160W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 33ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 140ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19.1” x 7.9” x 10.1” (485 x 201 x 257 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 108dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 3 review vs JBL Boombox 2 a subwoofer and a 3 way equals heaven? 💋 More from alanrossreviews →
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