Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9. It ranks #13 of 70 boombox speakers at $186.99; the W-King D20 ranks #27 and costs $193, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 gets right: Auracast multi-speaker connection alongside classic stereo pairing. The catch: Slight recessed mids, boost in the upper mids, rolled off upper treble.
On the W-King D20 side: Comes with 2 wireless microphones. The catch: Rising frequency response but upper treble rolled off, 700hz and 1.2khz peaks.
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 if the ranking matters more than the price. Buy the W-King D20 if the price matters more than the ranking.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 | W-King D20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $186.99 | $193 |
| Ranked | #13 of 70 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #27 of 70 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz | ~42Hz |
| Max Volume | 101dB | 112dB |
| IP Rating | None | IPX6 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs / 4.2 kg | 14.3 lbs / 6500 g |
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) | Yes (W-King app) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | Yes (App + button modes) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | - |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Output Power | 50W RMS | 200W |
| Dimensions | 11.39" x 11.32" x 5.12" (289.2 x 287.5 x 130 mm) | 50.6cm x 21.7cm x 27cm |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 3x 20mm tweeters | 4.5" + 3.5" drivers + 1.2" tweeters |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
| Wireless Microphones | - | 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 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 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
W-King D20: $193 Aliexpress
Pros: Comes with 2 wireless microphones
Cons: Rising frequency response but upper treble rolled off, 700hz and 1.2khz peaks
| App | Yes (W-King app) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~42Hz |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Dimensions | 50.6cm x 21.7cm x 27cm |
| Drivers | 4.5" + 3.5" drivers + 1.2" tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (App + button modes) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| Max Volume | 112dB |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Output Power | 200W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 14.3 lbs / 6500 g |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Boom 2 Plus Review - worst boombox speaker under $400?
- Alan Ross Reviews: pound for pound battle! WKing X20 D20 vs Stormbox Blast! OMG its a shocker!
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King X20 JBL Boombox 3 killer! this should be illegal! - I was shocked!
- Jagist reviews: LG xboom Stage 301 Vs W-king X20!!!
- Jagist reviews: W-king X20 Vs Jbl Encore!!! 😁😁😁
- Jagist reviews: W-king X20 Vs Skullcandy Barrel XT!!! 🤔😋
- Mateusz Cholewa: Soundcore RAVE 3 🤗v🆚s W- KING X20🎶
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: New! W-King X20 vs JBL Boombox 3 🛜 Head to Head 🔋Battery Powered 📊Custom EQ - Links In Description
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: W-King X20 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 🍿 Garage Battle of Boombox Speakers 🍻Custom & Standard EQ’s
- 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.

