Short answer: the JBL Boombox 2 for battery and waterproofing, the Onyx Studio 9 for app EQ and price. The Boombox 2 runs 24 hours at default volume and 20+ hours even at 60% volume and is IPX7 rated, though it is somewhat bass heavy and boomy. The Onyx Studio 9 adds Auracast multi-speaker connection and the Harman Kardon One app with EQ, but has slightly recessed mids, a boost in the upper mids and rolled off upper treble.
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the JBL Boombox 2 is discontinued.
Water resistance is not close: the JBL Boombox 2 is rated at IPX7 (brief submersion), well ahead of the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 at no water resistance.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 | JBL Boombox 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $189.99 | $449.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #15 of 90 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #40 of 90 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz | 46Hz |
| Maximum SPL | 101dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 108dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| IP Rating | None | IPX7 |
| Power Input | AC Power Cable (2-Prong) | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs (4.2 kg) | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) |
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS | 160W |
| Dimensions | 11.4” x 11.3” x 5.1” (289.2 x 287.5 x 130 mm) | 19.1” x 7.9” x 10.1” (485 x 201 x 257 mm) |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 3x 20mm tweeters | 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Strap | No | No |
| Aux Latency | - | 33ms |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 140ms |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
| Microphone Input | - | No |
| MicroSD Playback | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9:
- Earfun Uboom X vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9
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 9: $189.99 Amazon eBay
Older models: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 (ranked higher, rated 4.1/5), the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 (ranked higher, rated 4.1/5), the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 (ranked higher, rated 4.1/5), the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 (ranked lower, rated 3.9/5) and the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 (rated 3.3/5).
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 Power | 50W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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 |
| Maximum SPL | 101dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Input | AC Power Cable (2-Prong) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs (4.2 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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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) |
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- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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