Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9. It ranks #13 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $186.99; the LG Xboom Stage 301 ranks #23 and costs $279.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9: Auracast multi-speaker connection alongside classic stereo pairing. Harman Kardon One app with EQ. Set against that: Slight recessed mids, boost in the upper mids, rolled off upper treble.
What the LG Xboom Stage 301 gets right: Wedge-style design works as a karaoke hub with removable/replaceable battery. The catch: overpriced for what it is. Not the greatest frequency response.
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9. It ranks higher for sound quality than the LG Xboom Stage 301 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If water resistance matters to you, the LG Xboom Stage 301 at IPX4 (splashing) holds up far better than the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 | LG Xboom Stage 301 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $186.99 | $279.99 |
| Ranked | #13 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #23 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz | 43Hz |
| Max Volume | 101dB | - |
| IP Rating | None | IPX4 |
| Power Input | AC Power Cable (2-Prong) | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs / 4.2 kg | 13.7 lbs / 6.2 kg |
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) | Yes (LG Xboom app) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | AAC, SBC |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | Yes (App EQ) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Auracast) |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | - |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 50W RMS | 120W |
| Dimensions | 11.4" x 11.3" x 5.1" (289.2 x 287.5 x 130 mm) | 8.7" x 3.1" x 3.5" (220 x 80 x 90 mm) |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 3x 20mm tweeters | 6.5" woofer + dual 2.5" midrange drivers (Peerless) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Built in Microphone | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 vs Soundcore Boom 2 Plus
- Aiwa Exos-9 vs Zealot ZE41
- Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 vs Soundcore Boom 2 Plus
- Zealot ZE21 vs LG Xboom Stage 301
- Zealot S89 vs LG Xboom Stage 301
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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Zealot ZE41
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Zealot ZE21
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Zealot S89
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs JBL Boombox 4
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Vifa Copenhagen 2.0
- See all 38 comparisons
LG Xboom Stage 301: $279.99 Amazon
Pros: Wedge-style design works as a karaoke hub with removable/replaceable battery. Multiple standing positions. AI audio optimization via Dual-Bar lighting.
Cons: overpriced for what it is. Not the greatest frequency response.
Full LG Xboom Stage 301 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (LG Xboom app) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7" x 3.1" x 3.5" (220 x 80 x 90 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5" woofer + dual 2.5" midrange drivers (Peerless) |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 120W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs / 6.2 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jagist reviews: LG xboom Stage 301 Vs Zealot S95!!!
- Jagist reviews: LG xboom Stage 301 Vs W-king X20!!!
- Mike O’Brien: What Did LG Just Launch? (NEW will.i.am x LG xboom Speakers)
- GYMCADDY: LG’s New xboom Speaker And Earbud Lineup Explained - Meet The Stage 301, Bounce, Grab And Buds!
- Reddit Search for LG Xboom Stage 301 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- LG Xboom Stage 301 vs Zealot S95
- LG Xboom Stage 301 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
- LG Xboom Stage 301 vs JBL Boombox 3
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- LG Xboom Stage 301 vs JBL Boombox 3 Wifi
- LG Xboom Stage 301 vs Soundcore Boom 2 Plus
- LG Xboom Stage 301 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5
- LG Xboom Stage 301 vs W-King X20
- See all 27 comparisons