Short answer: the Onyx Studio 7 remains a compact warm-sounding home speaker, whereas the Boom 2 Plus is the lighter speaker for users prepared to fine-tune it. Harman Kardon is 14 of 89, with Soundcore at 35 of 89.
The Onyx 7 has bass weight but less bass than the Onyx 6, an eight-hour medium-volume battery estimate, and a somewhat sterile character in addition to its warm tuning. The Boom 2 Plus is much easier to carry and may climb with a successful EQ tune, though its stock upper-bass lift and rolled-off treble need attention.
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 if you want its distinctive form factor and an easygoing warm sound for moderate listening.
Buy the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus if portability and adjustable tuning are the more important qualities.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus at IPX7 (brief submersion) against the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7, which has no water resistance.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 | Soundcore Boom 2 Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $248.90 | $179.99 |
| Ranked | #14 of 89 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #35 of 89 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz | 39Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | None | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 266ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 111dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) | Yes (PartyCast 2.0) |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) | 8.4 lbs (3.8 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| App | No | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes (Pro EQ + presets) |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2A) |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS | 140W |
| Dimensions | 11.3” x 11.3” (285.8 x 285.8 mm) (round design) | 17.3” x 9.1” x 5.9” (440 x 230 x 150 mm) |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 2x 25mm tweeters | 2x 114mm (4.5”) woofers + 2x 19mm (0.75”) tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.3 |
| Strap | No | Yes (detachable strap) |
| MicroSD Playback | - | No |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 compares with other leading options:
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7
Prices on this page were last checked September 29, 2026 at 3:43 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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!
- 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 ZE51
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 vs Zealot ZE41
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Ultra
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 vs Zealot ZE21
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 vs Zealot S89
- See all 59 comparisons
Soundcore Boom 2 Plus: $179.99 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Older model: the Soundcore Motion Boom+ (ranked lower, rated 2.9/5).
Pros: Quite a bit lighter than most of the other boombox size speakers. This speaker will likely move up as we get a good EQ tune that makes it a lot more neutral. Measured bass extension of 39Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Warm tuning meaning a rolled off treble and some upper bass boost. Reasonably deep bass, but not as good as the top ranked.
Full Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 140W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 17.3” x 9.1” x 5.9” (440 x 230 x 150 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 114mm (4.5”) woofers + 2x 19mm (0.75”) tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (Pro EQ + presets) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 111dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast 2.0) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 8.4 lbs (3.8 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: This sounds totally different now! Soundcore Boom Plus 2 firmware 03.10 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Boom 2 Plus Review - worst boombox speaker under $400?
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Soundcore Boom 2 Plus VS Tribit Stormbox Blast 🛜 Boombox Basement Battle 📊Custom EQ 🔥Who You Got? More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Picky Audio: SO CLOSE! Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox 3 More from pickyaudio →
- Picky Audio: Extended Sound Test (Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox 3)
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: NEW RELEASE! Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs Motion Boom Plus🤯Stock EQ, Bass^ Enabled🤜🤛 A Family Feud😆
- GYMCADDY: Soundcore Boom 2 Plus Showcase - Lots Of Bass In A Small Package More from GYMCADDY →
- EL JEFE REVIEWS: Soundcore Boom 2 Plus 💥 BIGGER & BADDER! More from ELJefeReviews →
- Jagist reviews: Zealot S95 Vs Soundcore Boom 2 Plus!!! More from Jagistreviews →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs W-King D20
- Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs Zealot ZE01
- Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs Zealot S95
- Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs W-King X20
- Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs LG Xboom Stage 301
- Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox 2
- Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs W-King H330
- Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs JBL Authentics 300
- See all 84 comparisons


