Short answer: the Tribit Stormbox Blast. It ranks #2 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $199.99; the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 ranks #19 and costs $499.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Tribit Stormbox Blast: Amazing speaker given its size, competes well with some speakers in the Party size class, bass almost as deep as a Partybox 100. The tradeoff: Lacks a bit of detail compared to the top ranked speakers in other size categories, dip at 5.5khz.
What the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 offers: Elegant circular design with carrying handle. Bass-heavy with balanced mids and highs. Set against that: Warm sound with boosted bass. 8 hour battery at medium volume. Not at loud as others.
Buy the Tribit Stormbox Blast. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the Tribit Stormbox Blast is rated for 30 hours versus 8 hours for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5.
Specifications Side By Side
| Tribit Stormbox Blast | Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.99 | $499.99 |
| Ranked | #2 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #19 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (Tribit App) | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (10 band) | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 66ms | - |
| Max Volume | 108dB | - |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) |
| Stereo | Yes | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Omnidirectional | 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/) |
| Weight | 12 lbs / 5.45 kg | 6.6 lbs / 3 kg |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| FM Tuner | No | - |
| Microphone Input | No | - |
| MicroSD Playback | No | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | - |
| Output Power | 90W RMS (140W peak) | 50W |
| Dimensions | 15.7" x 6.3" x 9.1" (400 x 160 x 230 mm) | 11.3" x 11.3" (285.8 x 285.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x ~107mm (4.2") woofers + 2x ~25mm tweeters | 2x 75mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs JBL Boombox 2
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs Teufel Boomster 2021
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs JBL Boombox 3
- Teufel Rockster Air 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- Zealot S89 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5
The Two Speakers In Full
Tribit Stormbox Blast: $199.99 Amazon
Pros: Amazing speaker given its size, competes well with some speakers in the Party size class, bass almost as deep as a Partybox 100. Quite neutral in the default and xbass modes, but try Oluv’s EQ or Alan Ross’s EQ for a slightly more neutral sound. Oluv has mentioned v3.5 now uses his EQ as the defaults and sounds extremely good. 2 different light modes or can be turned off.
Cons: Lacks a bit of detail compared to the top ranked speakers in other size categories, dip at 5.5khz. Without the above EQ this speaker would rank around #4 in the rankings. The curved underside of the handle makes it a little harder to grip and can be uncomfortable to carry long distances.
Full Tribit Stormbox Blast review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Tribit App) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 66ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 15.7" x 6.3" x 9.1" (400 x 160 x 230 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x ~107mm (4.2") woofers + 2x ~25mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (10 band) |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 108dB |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 90W RMS (140W peak) |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 12 lbs / 5.45 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast Firmware Update 5.2 and other things…….
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast vs JBL Boombox 2 big bass boombox speakers 💕
- Alan Ross Reviews: pound for pound battle! WKing X20 D20 vs Stormbox Blast! OMG its a shocker!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast compared to the 2022 StormBox Blast, i wasn’t expecting this!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Motion x600 (best speaker ever) or two motion booms?
- Mateusz Cholewa: Tribit Stormbox Blast 🎶 🆚Deep BASS - Tribit Stormbox LAVA
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit Stormbox Blast 🆚 Sony SRS-XG500 - Tailgater Special - Battery Powered ☢️ Bass Boost Enabled.
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast or two Motion Boom Pluses for best cheap boombox?
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast or Harman Kardon Go+ Play 2 Mini by an old bloke!
- InFaze Audio: SPEAKER SHOOTOUT Does the Tribit Stormbox Blast Beat the InFaze Audio MS5CX?
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Soundcore Boom 2 Plus VS Tribit Stormbox Blast 🛜 Boombox Basement Battle 📊Custom EQ 🔥Who You Got?
- Alan Ross Reviews: Not quite! JBL Authentics 300 review and sound test vs Boombox 3, Encore and Stormbox Blast
- Techder Audios: Tribit Stormbox Blast VS Teufel Boomster “BASS VS FUNCTIONS!”
- Oluv Patreon: SoundBoks 4 vs Stormbox Blast - first impressions
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Earfun UBoom X, a PROPER sound test 😎
- Mateusz Cholewa: EarFun UBOOM X Deep Bass 🆚 Tribit Stormbox Blast🎶Review👌
- Oluv Patreon: Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Earfun UBoom X - outdoor test
- Oluv Patreon: Harman Kardon go+play 3 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast - outdoor soundtest
- Dominik Reviews: JBL Boombox 3 vs 2x Tribit Stormbox Blast 🤑 Huge difference?
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: W-King X20 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 🍿 Garage Battle of Boombox Speakers 🍻Custom & Standard EQ’s
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: W-King X20 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 🍿 Garage Battle of Boombox Speakers 🍻Custom & Standard EQ’s
- Dominik Reviews: Sony ULT Field 7 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast Both good? 😂
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Bugani Boost Max vs Tribit Stormbox Blast - GhettoBlaster Battle 🏠Indoors 🔋Battery Powered
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Soundcore Rave Party 2 vs. Tribit Stormbox Blast - Bluetooth Speaker Basement ⚒ Battle
- Jagist reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Sony SRS XG 500
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast or Soundcore Motion Boom Plus or W King D10? 🤪
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast Review vs Soundcore Motion Boom Plus - cheap bass!
- DLX Willington: Tough Game! Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Soundcore Motion Boom Plus Binaural sound samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast or Soundcore Motion Boom Plus or W King D10? 🤪
- Jagist reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Altec Lansing Mix 2.0
- Alan Ross Reviews: Spatial Audio: Soundcore Motion X600 Vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- Oluv Patreon: Audiocase S5 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast - first impressions
- Reddit Search for Tribit Stormbox Blast Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Earfun Uboom X
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs JBL Partybox Encore
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6
- See all 31 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 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| 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
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs JBL Boombox 3 Wifi
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 2
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs JBL Boombox 4
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs JBL Boombox 3
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs Zealot S89
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs LG Xboom Stage 301
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs Zealot ZE21
- See all 27 comparisons