Short answer: the JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus. It ranks #5 of 91 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $349.95. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 ranks #14, rated 4.1/5, at $248.90, $101.05 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus is the better-sounding, longer-running option. Well balanced with strong vocals, and its front-firing bass ports give it cleaner, smoother bass than other PartyBoxes, so even the Punchy bass boost setting never overpowers the vocals. It is rated for 15 hours of battery against 8 for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7. It is rated IPX4, while the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 has no water resistance. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 lacks. The catch: The bass has less kick and physical impact than the Encore 2 or PartyBox Club 120, and the Club 120 gets noticeably louder.
The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 is the lighter option. The addition of dual tweeters gives the Studio 7 a wider, more spacious presentation than older Onyx models. At 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) it weighs much less than the JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus at 14.2 lbs (6.45 kg). The tradeoff: Consumer Reports finds the bass prominent and boomy, mids hazy, treble slightly smeared and the soundstage congested.
Buy the JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $101.05 saving on the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 is not enough to make up the difference.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus | Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.95 | $248.90 |
| Ranked | #5 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #14 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL One app) | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (app EQ, Deep and Punchy bass boost) | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | None |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 11V/2A) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Partially | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 14.2 lbs (6.45 kg) | 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 1 Included | - |
| Microphone Input | No (wireless only) | - |
| Guitar Input | No | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, LC3 | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 4.2 |
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS | 50W RMS |
| Dimensions | 19.7” x 10.2” x 8.7” (501 x 258 x 221 mm) | 11.3” x 11.3” (285.8 x 285.8 mm) (round design) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25”) woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75”) dome tweeters | 120mm woofer + 2x 25mm tweeters |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (-6dB, Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) | No |
| Aux Latency | - | 0ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 37Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 266ms |
| Maximum SPL | - | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus:
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Partybox Encore
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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 On-The-Go 2 Plus: $349.95 Amazon eBay
Older model: the JBL Partybox On the Go (ranked lower, rated 3/5).
Pros: Well balanced with strong vocals, and its front-firing bass ports give it cleaner, smoother bass than other PartyBoxes, so even the Punchy bass boost setting never overpowers the vocals. It gets a touch louder than the PartyBox Encore 2. EasySing AI vocal removal strips vocals from any song on the speaker itself, with 25%, 50% or 100% removal, and the included rechargeable wireless mic has a tight pickup pattern that rejects handling noise. A removable 34Wh battery shared with the Encore 2 and PartyBox 120, a claimed 15 hours, a padded shoulder strap, USB-C playback and charging, a 3.5mm aux input, Auracast and a light show.
Cons: The bass has less kick and physical impact than the Encore 2 or PartyBox Club 120, and the Club 120 gets noticeably louder. There is no wired microphone or guitar input, so more mics means buying JBL’s EasySing mics separately, and AI vocal removal is disabled while the speaker is linked to other speakers over Auracast. Real world battery life is closer to 7 hours at 80% volume with lights and bass boost on. IPX4 only covers splashes, the grille dents easily, and the battery must be installed for it to run even when plugged in.
Full JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (JBL One app) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 19.7” x 10.2” x 8.7” (501 x 258 x 221 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25”) woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75”) dome tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (app EQ, Deep and Punchy bass boost) |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (-6dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | No (wireless only) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 11V/2A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 14.2 lbs (6.45 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 1 Included |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
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Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7: $248.90 Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, ranked lower, rated 4.1/5.
Pros: The addition of dual tweeters gives the Studio 7 a wider, more spacious presentation than older Onyx models. It delivers strong, deep bass, useful large-room volume and can pair with a second Studio 7 for stereo. Measured bass extension of 37Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Consumer Reports finds the bass prominent and boomy, mids hazy, treble slightly smeared and the soundstage congested. Battery life remains only about eight hours, it has no water rating or advanced codecs, and it is not an especially loud outdoor speaker.
Full Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 266ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.3” x 11.3” (285.8 x 285.8 mm) (round design) |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 2x 25mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 2 vs Onyx Studio 7 big bass battle 💋 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Onyx Studio 7 vs Onyx Studio 6 - massive deep bass battle 😁
- Geri’s Collection: Harman Kardon Onyx 7 vs Onyx 4
- KULAS TECH SHOW: Harman / Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs Onyx Studio 7 - Close battle🔥🔥 More from KULASTECHSHOW20 →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Ultimate HK Onyx Studio speaker review and comparison! 8 speakers!
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