Different classes, so treat this as a step-up-or-not question rather than a head-to-head. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 ranks #15 of 76 boombox speakers by sound quality at $189.99; the Onn Large Party gen 2 ranks #16 of 40 party speakers by sound quality at $129.
Different sizes. The Onyx Studio 9 is a 4.2 kg boombox size speaker. The Onn Large Party gen 2 is a 9.5 kg party speaker on wheels. Each is rated within its own class.
The Onyx Studio 9 is balanced and smooth with bass to about 41Hz and non-fatiguing treble. It has no water rating and a claimed 8 hours.
The Onn Large Party gen 2 has real bass impact and enough output for a large room, plus FM radio, mic and guitar inputs and wheels. Its mids are hazy and its treble smeared, and it has no EQ.
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 at $189.99 for a boombox speaker, or the Onn Large Party gen 2 at $129 for a party speaker instead.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the Onn Large Party gen 2 at IPX4 (splashing) against the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, which has no water resistance.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 | Onn Large Party gen 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $189.99 | $129 |
| Ranked | #15 of 76 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #16 of 40 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz | - |
| Maximum SPL | 101dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| IP Rating | None | IPX4 |
| Power Input | AC Power Cable (2-Prong) | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes | Partially |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs (4.2 kg) | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) |
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Party Sync Mode) |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | - |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS | 160W RMS (640W peak) |
| Dimensions | 11.4” x 11.3” x 5.1” (289.2 x 287.5 x 130 mm) | 22.5”H x 11.6”W x 11.8”D (571 x 295 x 300 mm) |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 3x 20mm tweeters | Dual 8” (203mm) woofers + dual tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Strap | No | No |
| FM Tuner | - | Yes |
| Guitar Input | - | Yes |
| Microphone Input | - | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Lights | - | Yes |
| Wheels | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9:
- Earfun Uboom X vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 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 eBay
Older models: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 (rated 4.1/5), the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 (rated 4.1/5), the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 (rated 4.1/5), the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 (rated 3.9/5) and the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 (rated 3.3/5).
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 Power | 50W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) |
| Aux Input | No |
| 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 |
| 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) |
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Onn Large Party gen 2: $129 Walmart eBay
Older model: the Onn Large Party gen 1 (rated 2.7/5).
Pros: A remarkably full-featured, manageable 9.5kg party speaker: wheels and handle, FM radio, aux, USB-A charging, mic and guitar inputs with karaoke echo, and Party Sync. Independent testing confirms bass with real impact and enough output for a large room; it is a clear improvement over the Gen 1 for low-end weight.
Cons: The low price shows in the refinement. Consumer Reports found boomy bass, hazy/grainy mids, a prominent smeared treble and a narrow, two-dimensional soundfield; it also notes distortion or other audio issues. There is no app or EQ to tame the tuning, and IPX4 only covers splashes rather than rain or immersion.
Full Onn Large Party gen 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 160W RMS (640W peak) |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 22.5”H x 11.6”W x 11.8”D (571 x 295 x 300 mm) |
| Drivers | Dual 8” (203mm) woofers + dual tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | Yes |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Sync Mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Partially |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) |
| Wheels | Yes |
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