Short answer: the JBL Boombox 4 for output, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 for looks and balanced tuning. The JBL has pretty insane output for its size, but it is overpriced, only improves on the Boombox 3 through 7 EQ bands instead of 3, sounds worse out of the box and drops the aux input. The Onyx Studio 5 has an elegant circular design with balanced mids and highs, but its battery lasts 8 hours at medium volume and it is not as loud as others. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 is discontinued; its replacement is the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9.
Buy the JBL Boombox 4. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 is no longer sold new.
If battery life is a priority, the JBL Boombox 4 is rated for 28 hours versus 8 hours for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Boombox 4 | Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549.95 | $499.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #20 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #24 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | No |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Latency | AAC 144ms, SBC 48ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 115dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs (5.98 kg) | 6.6 lbs (3 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, LC3, AAC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, up to 30W) | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes (see https://www.reddit.com/r/Bluetooth_Speakers/comments/w339x5/how_to_harman_kardon_onyx_studio_5_6_dual_sound/) |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| FM Tuner | No | - |
| Microphone Input | No | - |
| MicroSD Playback | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 210W AC / 200W battery | 50W |
| Dimensions | 20.1” x 10.2” x 8.3” (510 x 260 x 210 mm) | 11.3” x 11.3” (285.8 x 285.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 123mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators | 120mm woofer + 25mm tweeter + 2x passive radiators |
| Strap | No | No |
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