Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 on measured sound quality, the Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2 on price. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 ranks #14 of 75 boombox speakers at $194.95. The Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2 ranks #45 at $90, $104.95 cheaper.
What the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 offers: 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. Watch for: 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.
What the Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2 offers: Under $100 with LED lights synced to music. Simple controls, solid Bluetooth range. Mic input for karaoke/emcee. Built-in FM radio with 16 presets. Aux port. Watch for: Lacking detail compared to the Onn Large Party Gen 2 and not as deep of bass. Only available in the United States and Canada.
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
If battery life is a priority, the Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2 is rated for 20 hours versus 8 hours for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9.
If water resistance matters to you, the Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2 at IPX7 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 at no water resistance.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 | Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $194.95 | $90 |
| Ranked | #14 of 75 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #45 of 75 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz | - |
| Maximum SPL | 101dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| IP Rating | None | IPX7 |
| Power Input | AC Power Cable (2-Prong) | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs (4.2 kg) | 11 lbs (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) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS | 50W RMS / 200W peak |
| Dimensions | 11.4" x 11.3" x 5.1" (289.2 x 287.5 x 130 mm) | 9.6" x 10.9" x 15.1" (244.1 x 277.9 x 383 mm) |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 3x 20mm tweeters | 8" (203mm) woofer + tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
| FM Tuner | - | Yes (16 presets) |
| Microphone Input | - | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
| Lights | - | 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 16, 2026 at 12:41 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: $194.95 Amazon eBay
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) |
| 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 |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs (4.2 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2: $90 Walmart eBay
Pros: Under $100 with LED lights synced to music. Simple controls, solid Bluetooth range. Mic input for karaoke/emcee. Built-in FM radio with 16 presets. Aux port.
Cons: Lacking detail compared to the Onn Large Party Gen 2 and not as deep of bass. Only available in the United States and Canada.
Full Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS / 200W peak |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.6" x 10.9" x 15.1" (244.1 x 277.9 x 383 mm) |
| Drivers | 8" (203mm) woofer + tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | Yes (16 presets) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| 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 | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 11 lbs (5 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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