Short answer: the Soundcore Motion X500. It ranks #27 of 105 large speakers by sound quality (rated 4.1/5) 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 Motion X500 is the better-sounding, longer-running choice. 40W stereo with 3-driver layout (two tweeters + woofer). It is rated for 12 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 supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 lacks. The catch: A little bright on top, a custom EQ can flatten things out a bit.
What the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 does well: 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 Soundcore Motion X500 cannot. The catch: 8 hour battery at medium volume.
Buy the Soundcore Motion X500. 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 Motion X500 | Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 | $100 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #27 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #67 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (HK Connect) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | None |
| Maximum SPL | 104dB (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 | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 4.6 lbs (2.1 kg) | 4.5 lbs (2.06 kg) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | LDAC, SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 8.7” x 8” x 3.2” (220 x 202 x 81 mm) | 11.4” x 11.4” x 5.1” (290 x 290 x 130 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 58mm (2.3”) forward-firing full-range drivers + 1x 43mm (1.7”) upward-firing driver | 2x 75mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters + 1x passive radiator |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 60W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | 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
Soundcore Motion X500: $99.99 Amazon $99.99 eBay
Same family: the Soundcore Motion 100 (smaller model, rated 3.7/5), the Soundcore Motion 300 (smaller model, rated 4.5/5) and the Soundcore Motion X600 (larger model, ranked higher, rated 4.3/5). See every Soundcore Motion generation.
Pros: 40W stereo with 3-driver layout (two tweeters + woofer). IPX7 weatherproof rating. Compact and very portable. Fine build quality at this price. Spatial Dynamic mode provides immersive sound. Gets close to 12 hour battery claim. Measured bass extension of 48Hz (-10dB).
Cons: A little bright on top, a custom EQ can flatten things out a bit. Peaks at 250Hz and dip at 1kHz
Full Soundcore Motion X500 review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2023 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 40W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | LDAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7” x 8” x 3.2” (220 x 202 x 81 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 58mm (2.3”) forward-firing full-range drivers + 1x 43mm (1.7”) upward-firing driver |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 104dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4.6 lbs (2.1 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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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
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