Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential for better sound quality, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 for the lower price. The JBL Partybox Encore Essential ranks #7 of 73 boombox speakers at $329.95. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 ranks #11 at $130, $199.95 cheaper.
The case for the JBL Partybox Encore Essential: A great sounding somewhat boosted bass party speaker. The tradeoff: Only 6 hours of battery at medium volume.
What the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 offers: Warm sound with boosted bass. Watch for: 8 hour battery at medium volume.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore Essential if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 if the price matters more than sound quality.
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 Essential at IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore Essential | Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329.95 | $130 |
| Ranked | #7 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 |
| Aux Latency | 17ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz | 37Hz |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (3 band App EQ) | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms | 180ms |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/0.5A) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2A) |
| 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 | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg | 6.5 lbs / 2.94 kg |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 4.2 |
| Output Power | 100W RMS | 50W RMS |
| Dimensions | 10.9" x 12.9" x 11.5" (276 x 327 x 293 mm) | 5" x 11.5" x 11.2" (128 x 291 x 284 mm) |
| Drivers | 135mm woofer + 2x 44mm tweeters | 2x 75mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Max Volume | 110dB | 96dB |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
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- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 vs Soundcore Boom 2 Plus
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Partybox Encore Essential: $329.95 Amazon
Pros: A great sounding somewhat boosted bass party speaker.
Cons: Only 6 hours of battery at medium volume. Poor Water rating.
Full JBL Partybox Encore Essential review and specifications →
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 17ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.9" x 12.9" x 11.5" (276 x 327 x 293 mm) |
| Drivers | 135mm woofer + 2x 44mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (3 band App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Max Volume | 110dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 100W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/0.5A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DLX Willington: Called It!🤣 JBL Partybox Encore VS Essential, with binaural sound sample.
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Triple Threat 💸 $200 Challenge 🔋 Soundcore Rave Party 2, W-King H10, JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Klipsch Gig XXL vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential (Pee-Wee) - Indoors, Plugged In🔌 Bluetooth Speakers
- Reddit Search for JBL Partybox Encore Essential Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs Aiwa Exos-9
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs JBL Partybox Encore
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs Vifa Copenhagen 2.0
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7
- See all 17 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
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 vs Vifa Copenhagen 2.0
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 vs Zealot ZE41
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 vs Zealot ZE21
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 vs JBL Partybox Encore
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 vs Zealot S89
- See all 18 comparisons