These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The JBL Partybox Club 120 ranks #6 of 40 party speakers by sound quality at $449.95; the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 ranks #15 of 76 boombox speakers by sound quality at $189.99.
Different sizes. The Club 120 is a 10.8 kg party speaker. The Onyx Studio 9 is a 4.2 kg boombox size speaker. Each is rated within its own class.
The Onyx Studio 9 is balanced and smooth with non-fatiguing treble and bass to about 41Hz. It has no water rating, no aux input and a claimed 8 hours.
The Club 120 is quite neutral with a removable battery, a claimed 12 hours, IPX4, mic and guitar inputs, lights and wheels.
Buy the JBL Partybox Club 120 at $449.95 for a party speaker, or the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 at $189.99 for a boombox speaker instead.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the JBL Partybox Club 120 at IPX4 (splashing) against the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, which has no water resistance.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Club 120 | Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.95 | $189.99 |
| Ranked | #6 of 40 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #15 of 76 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Charging Time | 3.5 hours | - |
| Drivers | 2x 5.25” woofers, 2x 2.25” tweeters | 120mm woofer + 3x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (5 band) | Yes (App EQ) |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Guitar Input | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | None |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) | - |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power Cable (2-Prong) |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Partially | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 23.8 lbs (10.8 kg) | 9.3 lbs (4.2 kg) |
| Amplifier Power | 160W | 50W RMS |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Dimensions | 22.4”H x 11.4”W x 11.7”D (570 x 288.4 x 297 mm) | 11.4” x 11.3” x 5.1” (289.2 x 287.5 x 130 mm) |
| Strap | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 41Hz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 101dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL Partybox Club 120:
- JBL Partybox Club 120 vs Sony ULT Tower 7
- JBL Partybox 330 vs JBL Partybox Club 120
- JBL Partybox Club 120 vs JBL Partybox Stage 320
- JBL Partybox 310 vs JBL Partybox Club 120
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs JBL Partybox Club 120
Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Partybox Club 120: $449.95 Amazon eBay
Older models: the JBL Partybox 110 (rated 4.4/5) and the JBL Partybox 100 (rated 4.4/5).
Pros: JBL Partybox Club 120 uses 2x 5.25” woofers, 2x 2.25” tweeters. Its 10.8 kg, claimed 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IPX4 protection, aux input and limited-stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Handle and wheels, customizable lighting, and quite neutral sound with deeper bass than the Partybox 100 and 110.
Cons: Its 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) specification points to limited deep-bass reach for the cabinet size. High price, and JBL’s wired daisy chain only works with other JBL speakers.
Full JBL Partybox Club 120 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 160W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Charging Time | 3.5 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 22.4”H x 11.4”W x 11.7”D (570 x 288.4 x 297 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 5.25” woofers, 2x 2.25” tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (5 band) |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 23.8 lbs (10.8 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: JBL Partybox Club 120 vs 130 - really worth the upgrade? More from Oluv’Sone →
- HammoTech Reviews: JBL Partybox Club 120 Vs Partybox 110 - Worth the upgrade?
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: JBL Partybox Club 120 vs 110 🥳 A Family Feud! Battery Powered🔋Bluetooth Party Speakers Face-Off🤬 More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Williston Audio Labs: Investigating the JBL PartyBox Club 120 More from Williston Audio Labs →
- M1MTechChannel: Welche JBL Partybox ist die BESTE ? Alle Partyboxen im Vergleich | 2026 More from M1MTechChannel →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox Club 120 vs JBL Partybox 130
- JBL Partybox Club 120 vs Sony ULT Tower 5
- JBL Partybox Club 120 vs JBL Partybox 100
- JBL Partybox Club 120 vs JBL Partybox 310
- JBL Partybox Club 120 vs JBL Partybox 110
- JBL Partybox Club 120 vs JBL Partybox Stage 320
- JBL Partybox Club 120 vs JBL Partybox 330
- JBL Partybox Club 120 vs JBL Partybox 300
- See all 51 comparisons
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9: $189.99 Amazon eBay
Older models: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 (rated 4.1/5), the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 (rated 4.1/5), the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 (rated 4.1/5), the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 (rated 3.9/5) and the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 (rated 3.3/5).
Pros: An elegant 4.2kg living-room portable with a measured 41Hz -10dB bass point, 101dB maximum level, three tweeters, app EQ, stereo pairing and Auracast multi-speaker linking. Reviews praise its balanced, smooth presentation and non-fatiguing treble, making it a more music-focused choice than most party speakers. Measured bass extension of 41Hz (-10dB).
Cons: It has no water resistance, aux input or USB playback, and its eight-hour claimed battery life is short for an outdoor portable. Bass is less deep than some earlier Onyx Studio models, while the slightly recessed mids and rolled-off top end mean it is not the most open or detailed option; it still charges from an AC power cable rather than USB-C.
Full Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.4” x 11.3” x 5.1” (289.2 x 287.5 x 130 mm) |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 3x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Maximum SPL | 101dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Input | AC Power Cable (2-Prong) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs (4.2 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7
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