Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, if you are buying new. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 ranks higher than the Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2 (#24 vs #65 of 112 boombox speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, is rated 4.1/5 at $184.99 and is still sold new.
The Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2 is the longer-running pick. An affordable waterproof party speaker with a big woofer, lights, a karaoke mic input and FM radio. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 8 for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5. The catch: Lacking detail compared to the Onn Large Party gen 2 and not as deep of bass.
The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 is the better-sounding, lighter pick. An iconic round speaker with warm, relaxed sound and generous bass for casual indoor listening. At 6.6 lbs (3 kg) it weighs much less than the Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2 at 11 lbs (5 kg). The catch: The large bass boost can mask lower-mid detail and make dense mixes muddy.
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, the replacement for the discontinued Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5; it is rated higher for sound quality than the Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
An affordable waterproof party speaker with a big woofer, lights, a karaoke mic input and FM radio.
An iconic round speaker with warm, relaxed sound and generous bass for casual indoor listening.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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
| Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2 | Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $90 | $499.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #65 of 112 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #24 of 112 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| FM Tuner | Yes (16 presets) | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Sync Mode) | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) |
| Stereo | No | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | 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 | No | No |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS / 200W peak | 50W |
| Dimensions | 9.6” x 10.9” x 15.1” (244.1 x 277.9 x 383 mm) | 11.3” x 11.3” (285.8 x 285.8 mm) |
| Weight | 11 lbs (5 kg) | 6.6 lbs (3 kg) |
| Drivers | 8” (203mm) woofer + tweeters | 120mm woofer + 25mm tweeter + 2x passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 4.2 |
| Strap | - | No |
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