Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9. It ranks #13 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $186.99; the JBL Boombox 3 ranks #21 and costs $349.95, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 gets right: Auracast multi-speaker connection alongside classic stereo pairing. The catch: Slight recessed mids, boost in the upper mids, rolled off upper treble.
What the JBL Boombox 3 offers: IP67 rated. Watch for: Dips in mid bass range which makes the bass sound undefined, bass boosted, peaky at 700hz, not quite as good mids and treble as the Blast.
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Boombox 3 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the JBL Boombox 3 is rated for 24 hours versus 8 hours for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Boombox 3 at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 | JBL Boombox 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $186.99 | $349.95 |
| Ranked | #13 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #21 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz | 43Hz |
| Max Volume | 101dB | 110dB |
| IP Rating | None | IP67 |
| Power Input | AC Power Cable (2-Prong) | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs / 4.2 kg | 14.8 lbs / 6.7 kg |
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) | No |
| 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 | - |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 50W RMS | 180W AC / 136W battery |
| Dimensions | 11.4" x 11.3" x 5.1" (289.2 x 287.5 x 130 mm) | 19" x 10.1" x 7.9" (482 x 257 x 200 mm) |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 3x 20mm tweeters | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
| Aux Latency | - | 25ms |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 100ms |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A) |
| Built in Microphone | - | No |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
| Microphone Input | - | No |
| MicroSD Playback | - | No |
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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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JBL Boombox 3: $349.95 Amazon
Pros: IP67 rated. 24 hour battery life (6.5 hour charge time). Doubles as a power bank. PartyBoost links up to 100 compatible JBL speakers. Three-way speaker system with subwoofer.
Cons: Dips in mid bass range which makes the bass sound undefined, bass boosted, peaky at 700hz, not quite as good mids and treble as the Blast.
Full JBL Boombox 3 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 25ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19" x 10.1" x 7.9" (482 x 257 x 200 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 110dB |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 180W AC / 136W battery |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 14.8 lbs / 6.7 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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