Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9. It ranks #13 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $186.99; the Marshall Tufton ranks #60 and costs $450, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 offers: 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. Watch for: Slight recessed mids, boost in the upper mids, rolled off upper treble. Not as deep bass as previous Onyx Studio speakers.
What the Marshall Tufton offers: 20 hour battery life; 2.5 hour full charge, or 20-min quick-charge for 4 hours of play. 3-way speaker design covers full frequency range in 360°. Sturdy construction with IPX2 rating. Watch for: Not much lower bass, upper bass boomy, boosted treble, not very balanced overall. Not as loud as others in the class. Very low water rating
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Marshall Tufton and costs less, so the other one has nothing left to offer.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Marshall Tufton. It ranks near the bottom of the 73 boombox speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the Marshall Tufton is rated for 20 hours, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 only 8 hours.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 | Marshall Tufton | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $186.99 | $450 |
| Ranked | #13 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #60 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz | 42Hz |
| Max Volume | 101dB | - |
| IP Rating | None | IPX2 |
| Power Input | AC Power Cable (2-Prong) | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs / 4.2 kg | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg |
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | Yes (hidden bass and treble adjustment) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | - |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 50W RMS | 80W |
| Dimensions | 11.4" x 11.3" x 5.1" (289.2 x 287.5 x 130 mm) | 9" x 6.4" x 13.8" (229.1 x 163.1 x 350 mm) |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 3x 20mm tweeters | 1x 5.25" woofer + 2x 2" full-range + 1x 16mm tweeter |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Built in Microphone | - | Yes |
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- Zealot ZE41 vs JBL Boombox 3
- Zealot ZE41 vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 2
- W-King D20 vs Marshall Tufton
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Prices on this page were last checked August 27, 2026 at 10:09 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: $186.99 Amazon eBay
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 |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- 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
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Marshall Tufton: $450 Amazon eBay
Pros: 20 hour battery life; 2.5 hour full charge, or 20-min quick-charge for 4 hours of play. 3-way speaker design covers full frequency range in 360°. Sturdy construction with IPX2 rating.
Cons: Not much lower bass, upper bass boomy, boosted treble, not very balanced overall. Not as loud as others in the class. Very low water rating
Full Marshall Tufton review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9" x 6.4" x 13.8" (229.1 x 163.1 x 350 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 5.25" woofer + 2x 2" full-range + 1x 16mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (hidden bass and treble adjustment) |
| IP Rating | IPX2 |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Output Power | 80W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons