Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 for better sound quality, the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 for the lower price. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 ranks #19 of 73 boombox speakers at $499.99. The Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 ranks #22 at $300, $199.99 cheaper.
The case for the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2: It delivers pretty deep bass. The catch: it sounds quite muddy with boosted lower and upper bass plus a treble boost around 6khz, Xbass mode makes the muddiness worse, and it’s nowhere near as neutral and balanced as the first Blast, a big downgrade unless max volume is all that matters.
What the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 gets right: It has an elegant circular design with a carrying handle, a bass-heavy sound with balanced mids and highs, and a rechargeable Li-ion battery rated for 7 to 8 hours at 40-50% volume. Set against that: the sound is warm with boosted bass, the battery only lasts 8 hours at medium volume, and it’s not as loud as others.
Buy the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 if sound quality matters more than the price.
If battery life is a priority, the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 is rated for 30 hours versus 8 hours for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5.
Specifications Side By Side
| Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 | Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $300 | $499.99 |
| Ranked | #22 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #19 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 110dB | - |
| Microphone Input | Yes (2x 6.35mm) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power Cable or 10w USB-C | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) |
| Stereo | Yes | Partially (1 woofer) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes (see https://www.reddit.com/r/Bluetooth_Speakers/comments/w339x5/how_to_harman_kardon_onyx_studio_5_6_dual_sound/) |
| Weight | 19.2 lbs / 8.7 kg | 6.6 lbs / 3 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (10 band) | No |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| FM Tuner | No | - |
| MicroSD Playback | No | - |
| Output Power | 200W AC / 180W battery | 50W |
| Dimensions | 18.7" x 7.6" x 10.2" (476 x 193 x 259 mm) | 11.3" x 11.3" (285.8 x 285.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x ~180x110mm rectangular subwoofer + 2x ~80mm mid drivers + 2x ~25mm tweeters | 2x 75mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
The Two Speakers In Full
Tribit Stormbox Blast 2: $300 Amazon
Pros: Pretty deep bass.
Cons: Sounds quite muddy with the boosted lower and upper bass. Boosted treble around 6khz. Xbass mode makes it sound even more muddy. Nowhere near as neutral and balanced as the first Blast and a big downgrade unless you only care about max volume
Setup: Try the EQ from Alan Ross at this timestamp of his video
Full Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 18.7" x 7.6" x 10.2" (476 x 193 x 259 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x ~180x110mm rectangular subwoofer + 2x ~80mm mid drivers + 2x ~25mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (10 band) |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 110dB |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | Yes (2x 6.35mm) |
| Output Power | 200W AC / 180W battery |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power Cable or 10w USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 19.2 lbs / 8.7 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 - outdoor sound test
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 - indoor sound test
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 vs 2 Earfun UBoom X - outdoor test
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 custom EQ best settings! Alan Ross!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 firmware V11 update - earthquake warning!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 review - fun fun fun! sometimes 😊
- Mateusz Cholewa: Soundcore Rave 3 🤗v🆚s Tribit Stormbox Blast 2👌🎶
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 😳 First Look, EQ and Light Modes Demo 🚨
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 vs JBL Boombox 3 🔊 Got Bass? Let’s See How They Compare 😲 Battery Powered 🔋
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 vs Blast 😲 A Family Feud 🚗 Tailgater Special 🔋 Battery Powered 🎶 Old vs New
- Jagist reviews: Zealot Ze21 Vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2!!!
- Jagist reviews: Zealot S95 Vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2!!!
- Reddit Search for Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 vs JBL Boombox 3
- Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 vs LG Xboom Stage 301
- Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 vs Zealot S95
- Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 vs JBL Boombox 3 Wifi
- Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 vs Zealot ZE01
- Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 vs JBL Boombox 4
- Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 vs W-King X20
- Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 vs Zealot ZE21
- See all 19 comparisons
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5: $499.99 Amazon
Pros: Elegant circular design with carrying handle. Bass-heavy with balanced mids and highs. Rechargeable Li-ion battery rated 7-8 hours at 40-50% volume.
Cons: Warm sound with boosted bass. 8 hour battery at medium volume. Not at loud as others.
Full Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.3" x 11.3" (285.8 x 285.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 75mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Output Power | 50W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| TWS | Yes (see https://www.reddit.com/r/Bluetooth_Speakers/comments/w339x5/how_to_harman_kardon_onyx_studio_5_6_dual_sound/) |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs / 3 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons