Different classes, so treat this as a step-up-or-not question rather than a head-to-head. The JBL Xtreme 5 ranks #2 of 120 large speakers by sound quality at $399.95; the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 ranks #15 of 113 boombox speakers by sound quality at $184.99.
The JBL Xtreme 5 is the louder, longer-running choice. A large waterproof speaker with deep bass, wide, clean sound at volume and a removable 28 hour battery. Alan Ross Reviews measured it at 110dB at full volume, against 101dB for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9. It is rated for 28 hours of battery against 8 for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9. At 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 at 9.3 lbs (4.2 kg). Watch for: High priced.
The case for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9: An elegant living room portable with balanced, smooth, non-fatiguing sound, app EQ, and stereo pairing for music lovers. Watch for: It has no water resistance, aux input or USB playback, and its eight-hour claimed battery life is short for an outdoor portable.
Buy the JBL Xtreme 5 at $399.95 for a large speaker, or the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 at $184.99 for a boombox speaker instead.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 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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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Xtreme 5 | Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.95 | $184.99 |
| Ranked | #2 of 120 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #15 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IP68 | None |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 101dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/3A) | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | AC Power Cable (2-Prong) |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) | 9.3 lbs (4.2 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 13.6” x 6.5” x 6.1” (346 x 165 x 155 mm) | 11.4” x 11.3” x 5.1” (289.2 x 287.5 x 130 mm) |
| Drivers | 98x145mm woofer, 2x 20mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators | 120mm woofer + 3x 20mm tweeters |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 1 x 90W RMS Woofer + 2 x 20W RMS Tweeter (AC power mode) 1 x 60W RMS Woofer + 2 x 15W RMS Tweeter (Battery mode) | 50W RMS |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 41Hz |
| USB Playback | - | No |
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