Short answer: the Soundcore Boom 2. It ranks #10 of 105 large speakers by sound quality (rated 4.5/5) at $99.99 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 Soundcore Boom 2 is the better-sounding, longer-running pick. Pretty deep bass for the size. It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 8 for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4. It is rated IPX7, while the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 has no water resistance. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 lacks. Watch for: Only a single midrange driver, so you only get stereo for the tweeters.
The case for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4: Balanced sound quality with deep resonant bass and crisp treble, large dynamic range. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Soundcore Boom 2 lacks. The catch: 8 hour battery at medium volume.
Buy the Soundcore Boom 2. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 is no longer sold new.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Boom 2 | Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 | $100 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #10 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #67 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (HK Connect) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | None |
| Bluetooth Latency | 125ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 105dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| MicroSD Playback | No | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast 2.0 up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 3.7 lbs (1.68 kg) | 4.5 lbs (2.06 kg) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 11.7” x 7.3” x 4” (297 x 185 x 102 mm) | 11.4” x 11.4” x 5.1” (290 x 290 x 130 mm) |
| Drivers | 120mm x 90mm woofer, 2x 20mm tweeters | 2x 75mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters + 1x passive radiator |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 80W | 60W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Strap | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Soundcore Boom 2:
- Soundcore Boom 2 vs Vifa Helsinki
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Soundcore Boom 2
- Soundcore Boom 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Lava
- Brane X vs Soundcore Boom 2
- Soundcore Boom 2 vs Minirig 4 with subwoofer
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
Soundcore Boom 2: $99.99 Amazon $99.99 B&H Photo Video eBay
Older model: the Soundcore Motion Boom (ranked lower, rated 4.5/5). See every Soundcore Boom generation.
Same family: the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus (larger model, rated 3.6/5).
Pros: Pretty deep bass for the size. Cool lights in the side passive radiators. For the best sound quality use Oluv’s EQ or Alan Ross’s EQ. With the stock tuning, this speaker would rank around #24, due to the boosted bass and rising treble. Measured bass extension of 47Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Only a single midrange driver, so you only get stereo for the tweeters. Sound processing issues with inconsistent bass notes that disappear at low levels like the Soundcore Boom and Soundcore Boost, not great for listening at low levels. Quite bass heavy with BassUp turned on, which is best left off. A little bit of a bright tuning in the treble, about +5db.
Full Soundcore Boom 2 review and specifications →
| Released | Mar 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 80W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 125ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.7” x 7.3” x 4” (297 x 185 x 102 mm) |
| Drivers | 120mm x 90mm woofer, 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 105dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast 2.0 up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 3.7 lbs (1.68 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- JOY‘s 3D Audio Show: Tribit StormBox Lava vs SoundCore Boom 2 - sound quality demo More from Oluv’Sone →
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6 vs SoundCore Boom 2 - David vs Goliath
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Bose SoundLink Max & SoundCore Boom 2 - indoor soundtest
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Bose SoundLink Max & SoundCore Boom 2 - outdoor soundtest
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Sony ULT Field 5 vs Anker SoundCore Boom 2 - listening test
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Klipsch Detroid vs SoundCore Boom 2 - outdoor test
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Best portable speakers 2025 - get the best bang for your buck $$$
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Xiaomi Sound Party - Best Bluetooth Speaker 2026 award
- Joy & Oluv’Sone🔈3DAudio🎧& Music: JBL Xtreme 5 - Best Bluetooth Speaker 2026 award
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: JBL, Bose, B&O, Sonos, Earfun, SoundCore… which portable speaker sounds best?
- Oluv Patreon: Anker Soundcore Boom 2 - first impressions
- Oluv Patreon: Xiaomi Sound Party vs Boom 2 & Helsinki
- Oluv Patreon: SoundCore Boom 3i - first impressions & EQs
- Alan Ross Reviews: Ultimate Soundcore Boom 2 Review - Is It Worth The Hype? More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross: Xiaomi Sound Party or Soundcore Boom 2 - 4 db louder?!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Boom 2 Plus Review - worst boombox speaker under $400?
- Dominik Reviews: Tronsmart Fiitune X30 vs Soundcore BOOM 2 - LETS BOOM! - Sound Test More from Dominik Reviews →
- Dominik Reviews: Bugani Brief Pro vs Soundcore Boom 2 - Soundcore still holds up?
- Dominik Reviews: Tronsmart Bang 2 vs Soundcore Boom 2 - Get the Boom throw the Bang!
- Mateusz Cholewa: TRIBIT StormBox LAVA vs Soundcore BOOM 2 More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: New Release! Soundcore Boom 2 😯 Bluetooth Boombox Speaker 🔊 Unboxing, First Look & Sound Demo More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Soundcore Boom 2 💣vs Mifa Wildbox 🪇 Basement Battle of the Bluetooth Boombox Welterweights ⚖️
- Jagist reviews: Tronsmart Bang 2 Firmware updated Vs Soundcore Boom 2!!! More from Jagistreviews →
- Jagist reviews: Tronsmart Bang 2 Vs Soundcore Boom 2!!!
- CEONTHEMAKING: Soundcore Boom 2 - HANDS DOWN The Best Speaker Under $150! More from CEONTHEMAKING →
- Josh’s Gadgets and More: Budget Monster ZZA K8 vs Soundcore Boom 2
- Josh’s Gadgets and More: Soundcore Boom 2 vs ONN Pro X-Large Boombox Sound Comparison
- TElcoPApi: Raymate VS Zealot P12 VS Zealot P11 VS Soundcore Boom 2SE SoundTest
- Santiago Lotino: ZEALOT S85, ZEALOT S79, SOUNDCORE BOOM2, JBL EXTREME 3 SOUND COMPARISON.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Boom 2 vs Mifa Wildbox
- Soundcore Boom 2 vs Marshall Stockwell II
- Soundcore Boom 2 vs B&O Beosound A5
- Soundcore Boom 2 vs Vifa Oslo
- Soundcore Boom 2 vs Harman Kardon Citation 200
- Soundcore Boom 2 vs Soundcore Motion Boom
- Soundcore Boom 2 vs Minirig 3 with subwoofer
- Soundcore Boom 2 vs Soundcore Select Pro
- See all 97 comparisons
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
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 vs Zealot S97
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 vs JBL Xtreme
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 vs JBL Xtreme 2
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 vs DOSS Soundbox XL
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 vs Klipsch Detroit
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 vs Sony SRS-XG300
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 vs W-King D8
- See all 47 comparisons