Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs JBL Partybox Encore

Last updated: September 19, 2026

Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore for sound quality, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 for the lower price. They rank #6 and #14 out of 75 boombox speakers, and $40.01 separates them.

Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs JBL Partybox Encore

The Partybox Encore is the louder, bassier speaker of the two. Its pros describe a great sounding, somewhat bass-boosted party speaker with two included wireless microphones, backed by 100W RMS and 38Hz bass extension against 50W RMS and 41Hz for the Onyx Studio 9. The Onyx Studio 9’s own cons note slightly recessed mids, a boost in the upper mids, rolled-off upper treble, and less bass depth than earlier Onyx Studio models.

Water resistance and battery life split in opposite directions. The Partybox Encore carries an IPX4 splash rating against no water resistance at all for the Onyx Studio 9, but the Onyx Studio 9 actually lasts longer per charge at 8 hours against 6 hours for the Encore’s battery life at medium volume. The Onyx Studio 9 is also considerably lighter at 9.3 lbs against 13.9 lbs for the Encore, and its USB-C charging is a real upgrade over the AC brick used by earlier Onyx Studio models.

Buy the JBL Partybox Encore for louder, bassier sound and the bundled wireless microphones, and accept the shorter runtime and extra weight.

Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 if a lighter speaker, longer battery life, and a lower price matter more to you than outright output.

Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.

Buy the JBL Partybox Encore at Walmart →Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 at Amazon ($189.99) →

Specifications Side By Side

Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 JBL Partybox Encore
Price$189.99$230
Ranked#14 of 75 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#6 of 75 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
Bass Extension (-10dB)41Hz38Hz
Maximum SPL101dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
IP RatingNoneIPX4
Power InputAC Power Cable (2-Prong)AC Power cord
StereoYesYes
OmnidirectionalNoNo
TWSYesYes
Weight9.3 lbs (4.2 kg)13.9 lbs (6.3 kg)
AppYes (Harman Kardon One app)Yes (JBL PartyBox app)
Bluetooth CodecsSBCSBC
EQYes (App EQ)Yes (3 band App EQ)
Party ModeYes (Auracast)Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers)
USB PlaybackNoYes
Bluetooth Version5.35.1
Battery Life8 hours (Manufacturer specified)6 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Amplifier Power50W RMS100W RMS
Dimensions11.4" x 11.3" x 5.1" (289.2 x 287.5 x 130 mm)10.9" x 12.9" x 11.5" (276 x 327 x 293 mm)
Drivers120mm woofer + 3x 20mm tweeters135mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters
Digital Aux InputNoNo
Aux InputNoYes
Aux Latency-17ms
Built-in Microphone-No
Bluetooth Latency-100ms
Power Bank-Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A)
Wireless Microphones-Yes 2 Included
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore at Walmart →Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 at Amazon ($189.99) →

More top alternatives to JBL Partybox Encore:

Prices on this page were last checked September 22, 2026 at 5:11 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: $189.99 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)
Aux InputNo
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 ($189.99) →Search eBay for Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 →

JBL Partybox Encore: $230 Walmart eBay

JBL Partybox Encore ranking card

Pros: JBL Partybox Encore uses 135mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters. Its 6.3 kg, claimed 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IPX4 protection, aux input, up to 110dB and stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Measured bass extension of 38Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Bass is limited by its 38Hz specification.

Full JBL Partybox Encore review and specifications →

Amplifier Power100W RMS
AppYes (JBL PartyBox app)
Aux InputYes
Aux Latency17ms
Bass Extension (-10dB)38Hz
Battery Life6 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Latency100ms
Bluetooth Version5.1
Built-in MicrophoneNo
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions10.9" x 12.9" x 11.5" (276 x 327 x 293 mm)
Drivers135mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters
EQYes (3 band App EQ)
IP RatingIPX4
Maximum SPL110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers)
Power BankYes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A)
Power InputAC Power cord
StereoYes
TWSYes
USB PlaybackYes
Weight13.9 lbs (6.3 kg)
Wireless MicrophonesYes 2 Included
Check current price at Walmart →Search eBay for JBL Partybox Encore →