These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 ranks #15 of 98 boombox speakers by sound quality at $189.99; the JBL Charge 6 ranks #12 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality at $149.95.
The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 is the deeper-bass pick. An elegant 9.3 lbs (4.2 kg) living-room portable with a measured 41Hz -10dB bass point, 101dB maximum level, three tweeters, app EQ, stereo pairing and Auracast multi-speaker linking. Its bass reaches about 41Hz before falling 10dB, against 53Hz for the JBL Charge 6. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the JBL Charge 6. The tradeoff: It has no water resistance, aux input or USB playback, and its eight-hour claimed battery life is short for an outdoor portable.
The JBL Charge 6 is the longer-running, lighter choice. Seems more neutral than the JBL Charge 5. It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 8 for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9. At 2.2 lbs (990 g) it weighs much less than the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 at 9.3 lbs (4.2 kg). It is rated IP68, while the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 has no water resistance. The tradeoff: Still some boosted bass by default.
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 at $189.99 for a boombox speaker, or the JBL Charge 6 at $149.95 for a medium speaker instead.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 | JBL Charge 6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $189.99 | $149.95 |
| Ranked | #15 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #12 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz | 53Hz |
| Maximum SPL | 101dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 102dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| IP Rating | None | IP68 |
| Power Input | AC Power Cable (2-Prong) | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs (4.2 kg) | 2.2 lbs (990 g) |
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | Yes (7 band) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Auracast) |
| USB Playback | No | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.4 |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS | 45W |
| Dimensions | 11.4” x 11.3” x 5.1” (289.2 x 287.5 x 130 mm) | 9” x 3.9” x 3.7” (228.8 x 98.5 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 3x 20mm tweeters | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | Yes (detachable strap) |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2.4A) |
| Frequency Response | - | 56Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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 $189.99 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). See every Harman Kardon Onyx Studio generation.
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 →
| Released | Dec 2024 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| 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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Zealot ZE51
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Zealot ZE41
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Zealot ZE21
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Zealot S89
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Ultra
- See all 99 comparisons
JBL Charge 6: $149.95 Amazon $149.95 B&H Photo Video Woot $119.95 Lowest eBay
Older models: the JBL Charge 5 (ranked lower, rated 4/5), the JBL Charge 4 (ranked lower, rated 3.5/5), the JBL Charge 3 (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5) and the JBL Charge 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5). See every JBL Charge generation.
Pros: Seems more neutral than the JBL Charge 5. Flatter frequency response through the mids and treble as the JBL Charge 5 was quite rolled off up high. Use this EQ from Joy/Oluv and turn down the lowest bass slider for the best sound quality. Oluv has even more paid EQs specifically for the GG and TL models indoors and outdoors here. IP68 protection, a 7-band app EQ, Auracast, USB-C charging and a power bank output. Measured bass extension of 53Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Still some boosted bass by default. Mids are recessed. Bright above 2kHz. Quite a V shaped frequency response.
Full JBL Charge 6 review and specifications →
| Released | Mar 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 45W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 9” x 3.9” x 3.7” (228.8 x 98.5 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Maximum SPL | 102dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2.4A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs (990 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - outdoor test More from Oluv’Sone →
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6 vs SoundCore Boom 2 - David vs Goliath
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- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6, Xtreme 4 & Earfun UBoom X - taking sound to the top
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Charge 6 or the JBL Charge 5? don’t go home till you watch this! More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 4 vs Flip 7 vs Charge 6 – The ULTIMATE JBL Speaker Showdown!
- Oluv Patreon: Marshall Middleton II - better with EQ?
- Oluv Patreon: An evening with the “best portable speakers”?
- Oluv Patreon: Bose Soundlink Plus vs JBL Charge 6 - fight!
- Mateusz Cholewa: JBL Charge 6 🎶👌Unboxing 📦vs Jbl Charge 5 Short Test Audio i Hz. More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- GYMCADDY: JBL Charge 6 Review - Worth Upgrading Even If You Have The JBL Charge 5 More from GYMCADDY →
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Charge 6 - good or bad?
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: JBL, Bose, B&O, Sonos, Earfun, SoundCore… which portable speaker sounds best?
- M1MTechChannel: Welche JBL Partybox ist die BESTE ? Alle Partyboxen im Vergleich | 2026 More from M1MTechChannel →
- GYMCADDY: JBL Charge 6 Vs Sony ULT Field 3 - Honestly, This One Is Super Tough
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Xiaomi Sound Party - Best Bluetooth Speaker 2026 award
- The Tech Files: Uma CHARGE 6 pela METADE do PREÇO! - Zealot S85 (Unboxing/Review)
- Mateusz Cholewa: JBL Charge Essential 3 SE vs Charge 6 Opinion in Subtitles
- Alan Ross: JBL Charge 6 vs Xiaomi Sound Party – Honest No-BS Comparison
- YARNZO Tech: Zealot P12 Vs Jbl Charge 6 full sound comparison More from YARNZO Tech →
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