Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 for the higher ranking, the Tronsmart Bang Max for the lower price. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 ranks #13 of 70 boombox speakers at $186.99. The Tronsmart Bang Max ranks #33 at $180, $6.99 cheaper.
The case for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9: Auracast multi-speaker connection alongside classic stereo pairing. The tradeoff: Slight recessed mids, boost in the upper mids, rolled off upper treble.
What the Tronsmart Bang Max gets right: Quite deep bass for the size and money. Set against that: Some peaks in the upper mids and lower treble, not the smoothest frequency response.
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 if the ranking matters more than the price. Buy the Tronsmart Bang Max if the price matters more than the ranking.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 | Tronsmart Bang Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $186.99 | $180 |
| Ranked | #13 of 70 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #33 of 70 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz | 39Hz |
| Max Volume | 101dB | 111dB |
| IP Rating | None | IPX6 |
| Power Input | USB-C | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs / 4.2 kg | 12.8 lbs / 5.8 kg |
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | Yes (multiple modes) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | - |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Output Power | 50W RMS | 130W |
| Dimensions | 11.39" x 11.32" x 5.12" (289.2 x 287.5 x 130 mm) | 470mm x 199mm x 260mm |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 3x 20mm tweeters | 2x ~165mm (6.5") woofers + 2x ~63mm (2.5") mid drivers + 2x ~25mm (1") tweeters |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
| Aux Latency | - | 16ms |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 160ms |
| MicroSD Playback | - | 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
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- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Zealot S89
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- 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
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- 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
Tronsmart Bang Max: $180 Amazon
Pros: Quite deep bass for the size and money.
Cons: Some peaks in the upper mids and lower treble, not the smoothest frequency response
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 16ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 160ms |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Dimensions | 470mm x 199mm x 260mm |
| Drivers | 2x ~165mm (6.5") woofers + 2x ~63mm (2.5") mid drivers + 2x ~25mm (1") tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (multiple modes) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| Max Volume | 111dB |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Output Power | 130W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 12.8 lbs / 5.8 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- 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.