Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9. It ranks #13 of 70 boombox speakers at $186.99; the Soundcore Rave Party 2 ranks #41 and costs $199.95, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9: Auracast multi-speaker connection alongside classic stereo pairing. Set against that: Slight recessed mids, boost in the upper mids, rolled off upper treble.
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 if the ranking matters more than the price. Buy the Soundcore Rave Party 2 if the price matters more than the ranking.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 | Soundcore Rave Party 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $186.99 | $199.95 |
| Ranked | #13 of 70 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #41 of 70 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz | - |
| Max Volume | 101dB | - |
| IP Rating | None | IPX4 |
| Power Input | USB-C | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs / 4.2 kg | 10.1 lbs / 4.6 kg |
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) | No |
| 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 | - |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 50W RMS | 80W RMS / 120W peak |
| Dimensions | 11.39" x 11.32" x 5.12" (289.2 x 287.5 x 130 mm) | 19.1cm x 19.8cm x 40cm |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 3x 20mm tweeters | 2x 4" (100mm) woofers + 2x 2" (50mm) tweeters |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
| Microphone Input | - | Yes |
| Power Bank | - | Yes |
| Built in Microphone | - | 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 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 Skullcandy Barrel
- 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
Soundcore Rave Party 2: $199.95 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: This speaker may move around in the rankings as we get better sound samples.
Cons: Poor water rating. Bass extension doesn’t seem very good.
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Dimensions | 19.1cm x 19.8cm x 40cm |
| Drivers | 2x 4" (100mm) woofers + 2x 2" (50mm) tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Output Power | 80W RMS / 120W peak |
| Party Mode | Yes (Partycast 2.0 up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs / 4.6 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Soundcore Rave Party 2 vs. Tribit Stormbox Blast - Bluetooth Speaker Basement ⚒ Battle
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Soundcore Rave Party 2 🎇 & Rave Neo 2 🎉 Head to Head Off The Floor. A Family Battle❗️
- Jagist reviews: Soundcore Rave Party 2 Bass Test 😍
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Triple Threat 💸 $200 Challenge 🔋 Soundcore Rave Party 2, W-King H10, JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Soundcore Rave Party 2 🔥 Unboxing & Short Sound Demo. Is This The New Speaker To Beat Under $200?💵
- Flossy Carter: Soundcore Rave Neo 2 / Rave Party 2 - Affordable Party Speakers with RGB Lights
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Skullcandy Barrel XT vs Soundcore Rave Party 2 (Stock & Custom EQ) 🛜 Battery Powered🔋Let’s Get It🧨
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- 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.