Short answer: the Marshall Stockwell II. It ranks #11 of 105 large speakers by sound quality (rated 4.5/5) at $226 and is still sold new; the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 ranks #67 (rated 3.3/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4’s replacement, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, is still sold new.
The Marshall Stockwell II is the better-sounding, longer-running choice. Possibly the most natural sounding Marshall speaker, with excellent off-axis sound. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 8 for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4. At 3.1 lbs (1.4 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 at 4.5 lbs (2.06 kg). It is rated IPX4, while the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 has no water resistance. The tradeoff: Not very loud, and the added DSP reverb may annoy purists.
The case for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4: Balanced sound quality with deep resonant bass and crisp treble, large dynamic range. It links with other speakers (Connect+ up to 100 speakers), which the Marshall Stockwell II cannot. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Marshall Stockwell II. Watch for: 8 hour battery at medium volume.
Buy the Marshall Stockwell II. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 is discontinued.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Marshall Stockwell II | Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $226.00 | $100 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #11 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #67 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | None |
| Bluetooth Latency | 50ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 3.1 lbs (1.4 kg) | 4.5 lbs (2.06 kg) |
| App | No | Yes (HK Connect) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 7.1” x 6.3” x 2.8” (180 x 161 x 70 mm) | 11.4” x 11.4” x 5.1” (290 x 290 x 130 mm) |
| Drivers | 3” woofer, 2x 2” fullrange tweeters | 2x 75mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters + 1x passive radiator |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 20W | 60W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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
Marshall Stockwell II: $226.00 Amazon $226.00 eBay
Newer model: the Marshall Stockwell III, ranked lower, rated 3/5, released Jun 2026. It adds power bank charging, app control, adjustable EQ and AAC. Water resistance goes from IPX4 to IP55. See every Marshall Portable Speakers generation.
Pros: Marshall Stockwell II uses 3” woofer, 2x 2” fullrange tweeters. Its 1.4 kg, claimed 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IPX4 protection, aux input, up to 96dB and mono playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Possibly the most natural sounding Marshall speaker, with excellent off-axis sound. Measured bass extension of 44Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 44Hz specification. There is no companion app. No EQ adjustment. Not very loud, and the added DSP reverb may annoy purists.
Full Marshall Stockwell II review and specifications →
| Released | May 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 20W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 50ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.1” x 6.3” x 2.8” (180 x 161 x 70 mm) |
| Drivers | 3” woofer, 2x 2” fullrange tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 3.1 lbs (1.4 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Marshall Stockwell III vs II - sound test More from Oluv’Sone →
- Oluv Patreon: Marshall Stockwell III vs Stockwell II
- Alan Ross Reviews: Marshall Stockwell 2 Review and huge sound test! - vs JBL Charge 5! 💯 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Marshall Emberton vs Marshall Stockwell 2 - little guy goes louder?? 🤓
- Alan Ross Reviews: Marshall Stockwell 2 vs Soundcore Motion Boom and Motion Plus! expensive is better?
- Alan Ross Reviews: Marshall Stockwell 2 vs Denon 250bt - little and large? 🙈
- Alan Ross Reviews: Dali Katch G2 high end audio takes on the entire world of bluetooth speakers! 👌👋
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Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4: $100 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, rated 4.1/5, released Dec 2024. See every Harman Kardon Onyx Studio generation.
Pros: Balanced sound quality with deep resonant bass and crisp treble, large dynamic range. Multi-host Bluetooth connectivity for 2 phones, daisy chaining up to 100 speakers. Elegant modern design with smooth curves and premium materials.
Cons: 8 hour battery at medium volume. Not at loud as others. Not as deep of bass as the newer Onyx. External AC power brick for charging. Discontinued.
Full Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 review and specifications →
| Released | Aug 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 60W |
| App | Yes (HK Connect) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.4” x 11.4” x 5.1” (290 x 290 x 130 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 75mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters + 1x passive radiator |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4.5 lbs (2.06 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 vs Tronsmart Halo 100
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