Short answer: the Onyx Studio 9, on sound and connectivity. It adds Auracast multi-speaker connection alongside classic stereo pairing, though it has slightly recessed mids, a boost in the upper mids and rolled off upper treble. The Soundcore Rave Party 2 lists a poor water rating as its main weakness, leaving the Onyx the safer pick.
What the Soundcore Rave Party 2 gets right: This speaker may move around in the rankings as we get better sound samples. Set against that: Poor water rating.
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Soundcore Rave Party 2 is discontinued.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the Soundcore Rave Party 2 is rated for 16 hours, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 only 8 hours.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the Soundcore Rave Party 2 at IPX4 (splashing) against the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, which has no water resistance.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 | Soundcore Rave Party 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $184.99 | $159.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #15 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #64 of 113 in Boombox 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 brick |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs (4.2 kg) | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) |
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | Yes (App EQ) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (PartyCast 2.0 up to 100 speakers) |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS | 80W RMS / 120W peak |
| Dimensions | 11.4” x 11.3” x 5.1” (289.2 x 287.5 x 130 mm) | 7.5” x 7.8” x 15.7” (191 x 198 x 400 mm) |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 3x 20mm tweeters | 2x 4” (100mm) woofers + 2x 2” (50mm) tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Strap | No | No |
| Microphone Input | - | Yes (Karaoke mode with reverb effect) |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
| Lights | - | Yes |
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