Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 for the higher ranking, the Skullcandy Barrel for the lower price. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 ranks #13 of 70 boombox speakers at $186.99. The Skullcandy Barrel ranks #38 at $150, $36.99 cheaper.
What the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 gets right: Auracast multi-speaker connection alongside classic stereo pairing. Set against that: Slight recessed mids, boost in the upper mids, rolled off upper treble.
On the Skullcandy Barrel side: Water-resistant (IPX5) with LED lightshow synced to music. The tradeoff: Not as deep bass as the top ranked speakers.
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 if the ranking matters more than the price. Buy the Skullcandy Barrel if the price matters more than the ranking.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 | Skullcandy Barrel | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $186.99 | $150 |
| Ranked | #13 of 70 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #38 of 70 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz | ~50Hz |
| Max Volume | 101dB | 104dB |
| IP Rating | None | IP67 |
| Power Input | USB-C | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs / 4.2 kg | 11.9 lbs / 5.4 kg |
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) | Yes (Skullcandy app) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | Yes (App EQ) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | - |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Output Power | 50W RMS | 60W |
| Dimensions | 11.39" x 11.32" x 5.12" (289.2 x 287.5 x 130 mm) | 11.81" x 22.05" x 9.60" |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 3x 20mm tweeters | 2x 20mm drivers |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Built in Microphone | - | No |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
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.
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 11.39" x 11.32" x 5.12" (289.2 x 287.5 x 130 mm) |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 3x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Max Volume | 101dB |
| Output Power | 50W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs / 4.2 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Altec Lansing Mix 2.0
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Tronsmart Bang Max
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs W-King D20
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Zealot S89
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Zealot ZE21
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Zealot ZE41
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Altec Lansing Rockbox XL 2.0
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs ION Pathfinder 280
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Soundcore Boom 2 Plus
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Soundcore Rave Party 2
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Bugani Boost Max
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Earfun Uboom X
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Gemini GRV-650L
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs ION Pathfinder 320
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs JBL Partybox Encore
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Tronsmart Halo 200
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs W-King H10
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Zealot S95
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7
- Links
Skullcandy Barrel: $150 Amazon
Pros: Water-resistant (IPX5) with LED lightshow synced to music. 12 hour battery life. Bass Boost mode. Multi-Link feature connects up to 99 speakers. Doubles as phone charger.
Cons: Not as deep bass as the top ranked speakers. Not as loud as the top ranked speakers. Rolled off treble.
| App | Yes (Skullcandy app) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~50Hz |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Dimensions | 11.81" x 22.05" x 9.60" |
| Drivers | 2x 20mm drivers |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 104dB |
| Output Power | 60W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 11.9 lbs / 5.4 kg |
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- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.