Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs B&O Beolit 20

Last updated: September 16, 2026

Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9. It ranks #14 of 75 boombox speakers by sound quality at $194.95; the B&O Beolit 20 ranks #33 and costs $599.99, so there is little reason to consider the other one.

Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs B&O Beolit 20

What the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 offers: An elegant 4.2kg living-room portable with a measured 41Hz -10dB bass point, 101dB maximum level, three tweeters, app EQ, stereo pairing and Auracast multi-speaker linking. Reviews praise its balanced, smooth presentation and non-fatiguing treble, making it a more music-focused choice than most party speakers. 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. Bass is less deep than some earlier Onyx Studio models, while the slightly recessed mids and rolled-off top end mean it is not the most open or detailed option; it still charges from an AC power cable rather than USB-C.

What the B&O Beolit 20 offers: B&O Beolit 20 uses 2x 30mm tweeters + 2x 40mm mid-range + 1x 60mm woofer + dual passive radiators. Its 2.7 kg, claimed 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IPX4 protection, aux input, up to 93dB and mono playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Watch for: Bass is limited by its 45Hz specification.

Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9. It ranks higher for sound quality than the B&O Beolit 20 and costs less, so the other one has nothing left to offer.

There is a real gap in water resistance: the B&O Beolit 20 at IPX4 (splashing) against the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, which has no water resistance.

Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.

Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 at Amazon ($194.95) →Buy the B&O Beolit 20 at Amazon ($599.99) →

Specifications Side By Side

Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 B&O Beolit 20
Price$194.95$599.99
Ranked#14 of 75 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#33 of 75 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
Bass Extension (-10dB)41Hz45Hz
Maximum SPL101dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)93dB (Manufacturer specified)
IP RatingNoneIPX4
Power InputAC Power Cable (2-Prong)USB-C
StereoYesNo
OmnidirectionalNoYes
TWSYesYes
Weight9.3 lbs (4.2 kg)6 lbs (2.7 kg)
AppYes (Harman Kardon One app)Yes (Bang & Olufsen app)
Bluetooth CodecsSBCSBC
EQYes (App EQ)Yes (App EQ)
Party ModeYes (Auracast)No
USB PlaybackNoNo
Bluetooth Version5.3-
Battery Life8 hours (Manufacturer specified)8 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Amplifier Power50W RMS240W peak
Dimensions11.4" 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)
Drivers120mm woofer + 3x 20mm tweeters2x 30mm tweeters + 2x 40mm mid-range + 1x 60mm woofer + dual passive radiators
Digital Aux InputNoNo
Aux Input-Yes
Power Bank-Yes (USB-C)
Built-in Microphone-Yes
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 at Amazon ($194.95) →Buy the B&O Beolit 20 at Amazon ($599.99) →

More worthwhile head-to-heads for Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9:

Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 AM 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 9: $194.95 Amazon eBay

Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 ranking card

Pros: An elegant 4.2kg living-room portable with a measured 41Hz -10dB bass point, 101dB maximum level, three tweeters, app EQ, stereo pairing and Auracast multi-speaker linking. Reviews praise its balanced, smooth presentation and non-fatiguing treble, making it a more music-focused choice than most party speakers. Measured bass extension of 41Hz (-10dB).

Cons: It has no water resistance, aux input or USB playback, and its eight-hour claimed battery life is short for an outdoor portable. Bass is less deep than some earlier Onyx Studio models, while the slightly recessed mids and rolled-off top end mean it is not the most open or detailed option; it still charges from an AC power cable rather than USB-C.

Full Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 review and specifications →

Amplifier Power50W RMS
AppYes (Harman Kardon One app)
Bass Extension (-10dB)41Hz
Battery Life8 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Version5.3
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions11.4" x 11.3" x 5.1" (289.2 x 287.5 x 130 mm)
Drivers120mm woofer + 3x 20mm tweeters
EQYes (App EQ)
IP RatingNone
Maximum SPL101dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (Auracast)
Power InputAC Power Cable (2-Prong)
StereoYes
TWSYes
USB PlaybackNo
Weight9.3 lbs (4.2 kg)
Check current price at Amazon ($194.95) →Search eBay for Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 →

B&O Beolit 20: $599.99 Amazon eBay

B&O Beolit 20 ranking card

Pros: B&O Beolit 20 uses 2x 30mm tweeters + 2x 40mm mid-range + 1x 60mm woofer + dual passive radiators. Its 2.7 kg, claimed 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IPX4 protection, aux input, up to 93dB and mono playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Measured bass extension of 45Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Bass is limited by its 45Hz specification.

Full B&O Beolit 20 review and specifications →

Amplifier Power240W peak
AppYes (Bang & Olufsen app)
Aux InputYes
Bass Extension (-10dB)45Hz
Battery Life8 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Built-in MicrophoneYes
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions5.3" x 9.1" x 7.4" (135 x 230 x 189 mm)
Drivers2x 30mm tweeters + 2x 40mm mid-range + 1x 60mm woofer + dual passive radiators
EQYes (App EQ)
IP RatingIPX4
Maximum SPL93dB (Manufacturer specified)
OmnidirectionalYes
Party ModeNo
Power BankYes (USB-C)
Power InputUSB-C
StereoNo
TWSYes
USB PlaybackNo
Weight6 lbs (2.7 kg)
Check current price at Amazon ($599.99) →Search eBay for B&O Beolit 20 →