Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore 2 for better sound quality, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 for the lower price. The JBL Partybox Encore 2 ranks #4 of 73 boombox speakers at $330. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 ranks #11 at $130, $200 cheaper.
What the JBL Partybox Encore 2 gets right: Appears to have better off axis performance due to the move to dome tweeters over cone. The catch: Missing a little bit of upper bass.
The case for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6: Warm sound with boosted bass. The tradeoff: 8 hour battery at medium volume.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore 2 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the JBL Partybox Encore 2 is rated for 15 hours versus 8 hours for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6.
If water resistance matters to you, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 at IPX7 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the JBL Partybox Encore 2 at IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore 2 | Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $330 | $130 |
| Ranked | #4 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #11 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (7 band App EQ) | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 110dB | 96dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2A) |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes (see https://www.reddit.com/r/Bluetooth_Speakers/comments/w339x5/how_to_harman_kardon_onyx_studio_5_6_dual_sound/) |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 14.1 lbs / 6.4 kg | 6.5 lbs / 2.94 kg |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 2 Included | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 4.2 |
| Output Power | 100W RMS | 50W RMS |
| Dimensions | 12.6" x 13.3" x 10.4" (319.5 x 338.6 x 263 mm) | 5" x 11.5" x 11.2" (128 x 291 x 284 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25") woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75") dome tweeters | 2x 75mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 37Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 180ms |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 vs Soundcore Boom 2 Plus
- JBL Partybox Encore vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6
- Earfun Uboom X vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Partybox Encore 2: $330 Samsclub
Pros: Appears to have better off axis performance due to the move to dome tweeters over cone. A little less rolled off in the highs than the first Encore. Goes slightly deeper than the old Encore. Includes 2 wireless microphones. Better battery life than the first Encore.
Cons: Missing a little bit of upper bass.
Full JBL Partybox Encore 2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12.6" x 13.3" x 10.4" (319.5 x 338.6 x 263 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25") woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75") dome tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (7 band App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Max Volume | 110dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 100W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 14.1 lbs / 6.4 kg |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 2 Included |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL giving it to us large! The good, The bad, The diabolical!
- M1M Tech Channel: Partybox Killer? 2x Earfun UBoom X stärker als JBL Encore 2 ?
- M1M Tech Channel: JBL Partybox Encore 2 Ein fettes Bass Upgrade
- Mateusz Cholewa: JBL Partybox ENCORE 2👌FULL TEST🆚 JBL Partybox ENCORE 1
- Mateusz Cholewa: Jbl Partybox Encore 2 📦UNBOXING. Short TEST AUDIO z ENCORE 1👌
- Mateusz Cholewa: JBL Encore 2 Partybox Deep Bass 🆚 Jbl Boombox 3 WiFi 🎶
- Dominik Reviews: JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Boombox 3 WiFi - Sound Test - Wide vs Narrow Soundstage!
- M1M Tech Channel: JBL Partybox Encore 2 Ein fettes Bass Upgrade
- Reddit Search for JBL Partybox Encore 2 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Earfun Uboom X
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7
- See all 20 comparisons
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6: $130 Amazon
Pros: Warm sound with boosted bass. Oluv liked it slightly better than the newer Onyx 7.
Cons: 8 hour battery at medium volume. Not at loud as others.
Full Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 180ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5" x 11.5" x 11.2" (128 x 291 x 284 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 75mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 96dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 50W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2A) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes (see https://www.reddit.com/r/Bluetooth_Speakers/comments/w339x5/how_to_harman_kardon_onyx_studio_5_6_dual_sound/) |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 6.5 lbs / 2.94 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Onyx Studio 7 vs Onyx Studio 6 - massive deep bass battle 😁
- That Speaker Guy: Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 vs Devialet Mania
- Ezekielo: Citation 200 vs Onyx Studio 6 vs Bose Portable Speaker Sound Comparison
- Alan Ross Reviews: Harman Kardon Go+ Play 2 mini or Onyx Studio 6 - best speaker for bass?
- Alan Ross Reviews: Ultimate HK Onyx Studio speaker review and comparison! 8 speakers!
- Reddit Search for Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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