Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore for sound quality, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 for the lower price. They rank #7 and #15 out of 113 boombox speakers, and $45.01 separates them. The JBL Partybox Encore is discontinued; its replacement is the JBL Partybox Encore 2. If you are buying new, get the JBL Partybox Encore 2.
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 (4.2 kg) against 13.9 lbs (6.3 kg) 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.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 | JBL Partybox Encore | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $184.99 | $230 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #15 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #7 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz | 38Hz |
| Maximum SPL | 101dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| IP Rating | None | IPX4 |
| Power Input | AC Power Cable (2-Prong) | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs (4.2 kg) | 13.9 lbs (6.3 kg) |
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | Yes (3 band App EQ) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS | 100W RMS |
| Dimensions | 11.4” 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) |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 3x 20mm tweeters | 135mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Strap | No | - |
| Aux Latency | - | 17ms |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 100ms |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) |
| Wireless Microphones | - | Yes 2 Included |
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