Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9. It ranks #13 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $186.99; the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 ranks #18 and costs $350, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 offers: Auracast multi-speaker connection alongside classic stereo pairing. Watch for: Slight recessed mids, boost in the upper mids, rolled off upper treble.
What the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 gets right: Warm sound with boosted bass. The catch: Not as loud as others.
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 | Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $186.99 | $350 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #13 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #18 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz | 40Hz |
| Max Volume | 101dB | 99dB |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Power Input | AC Power Cable (2-Prong) | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs / 4.2 kg | 5.3 lbs / 2.4 kg |
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | - |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 50W RMS | 100W AC / 30W battery |
| Dimensions | 11.4" x 11.3" x 5.1" (289.2 x 287.5 x 130 mm) | 20" x 9" x 9.5" (508 x 228.6 x 241.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 3x 20mm tweeters | 2x 90mm (3.5") woofers (front and rear firing) + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Latency | - | 0ms |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 33ms |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Built in Microphone | - | Yes |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9: $186.99 Amazon
Pros: Auracast multi-speaker connection alongside classic stereo pairing. Harman Kardon One app with EQ. USB-C charging, up from the previous generation’s AC power brick.
Cons: Slight recessed mids, boost in the upper mids, rolled off upper treble. Not as deep bass as previous Onyx Studio speakers.
Full Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.4" x 11.3" x 5.1" (289.2 x 287.5 x 130 mm) |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 3x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Max Volume | 101dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 50W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Input | AC Power Cable (2-Prong) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs / 4.2 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Harman Kardon Go + Play 2: $350 Discontinued
Pros: Warm sound with boosted bass.
Cons: Not as loud as others. No water rating. Discontinued.
Full Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Latency | 0ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 33ms |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 20" x 9" x 9.5" (508 x 228.6 x 241.3 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 90mm (3.5") woofers (front and rear firing) + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 100W AC / 30W battery |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs / 2.4 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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