Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9. It ranks #15 of 112 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $184.99; the B&O Beolit 20 ranks #48, rated 3.4/5, and costs $749, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 is the better-sounding option. An elegant living room portable with balanced, smooth, non-fatiguing sound, app EQ, and stereo pairing for music lovers. It links with other speakers (Auracast), which the B&O Beolit 20 cannot. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the B&O Beolit 20. Watch for: It has no water resistance, aux input or USB playback, and its eight-hour claimed battery life is short for an outdoor portable.
The B&O Beolit 20 is the lighter, tougher choice. A premium designer portable with 360 degree sound and a top that doubles as a wireless phone charger. At 6 lbs (2.7 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 at 9.3 lbs (4.2 kg). It is rated IPX4, while the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 has no water resistance. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 lacks.
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9. It is rated higher for sound quality than the B&O Beolit 20 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
An elegant living room portable with balanced, smooth, non-fatiguing sound, app EQ, and stereo pairing for music lovers.
A premium designer portable with 360 degree sound and a top that doubles as a wireless phone charger.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 | B&O Beolit 20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $184.99 | $749.00 |
| Ranked | #15 of 112 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #48 of 112 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz | 45Hz |
| Maximum SPL | 101dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 93dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | IPX4 |
| Power Input | AC Power Cable (2-Prong) | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs (4.2 kg) | 6 lbs (2.7 kg) |
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) | Yes (Bang & Olufsen app) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | Yes (App EQ) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.2 |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS | 240W peak |
| Dimensions | 11.4” x 11.3” x 5.1” (289.2 x 287.5 x 130 mm) | 5.3” x 9.1” x 7.4” (135 x 230 x 189 mm) |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 3x 20mm tweeters | 2x 30mm tweeters + 2x 40mm mid-range + 1x 60mm woofer + dual passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Strap | No | Yes (built-in strap) |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-C) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9: