Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5

Last updated: October 3, 2026

Short answer: the Tribit Stormbox Blast for value and bass, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 for design. The Blast is amazing for its size with bass almost as deep as a Partybox 100, but it lacks detail next to top ranked speakers and dips at 5.5kHz. The Onyx Studio 5 has an elegant circular design with a carrying handle and balanced mids and highs, though it is warm with boosted bass and lasts 8 hours at medium volume.

Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5

Buy the Tribit Stormbox Blast. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 is discontinued, so it is only available used.

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.

Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.

Buy the Tribit Stormbox Blast at Amazon ($179.99) →Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 at Amazon ($499.99) →

Specifications Side By Side

Tribit Stormbox Blast Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5
Price$179.99$499.99 Discontinued
Ranked#2 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#24 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYes (Tribit App)No
Aux InputYesYes
Aux Latency0ms-
Bass Extension (-10dB)43Hz-
Battery Life30 hours (Manufacturer specified)8 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYesYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBCSBC
Built-in MicrophoneNoYes
EQYes (10 band)No
IP RatingIPX7IPX7
Bluetooth Latency66ms-
Maximum SPL108dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)-
Party ModeNoYes (Wireless Dual Sound)
Power BankYes (USB-A)No
Power InputAC Power cordDC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A)
StereoYesPartially (1 woofer)
OmnidirectionalNoNo
TWSYesYes (see https://www.reddit.com/r/Bluetooth_Speakers/comments/w339x5/how_to_harman_kardon_onyx_studio_5_6_dual_sound/)
Weight12 lbs (5.45 kg)6.6 lbs (3 kg)
USB PlaybackNoNo
FM TunerNo-
Microphone InputNo-
MicroSD PlaybackNo-
Bluetooth Version5.34.2
Amplifier Power90W RMS (140W peak)50W
Dimensions15.7” x 6.3” x 9.1” (400 x 160 x 230 mm)11.3” x 11.3” (285.8 x 285.8 mm)
Drivers2x ~107mm (4.2”) woofers + 2x ~25mm tweeters120mm woofer + 25mm tweeter + 2x passive radiators
Digital Aux InputNoNo
LightsYes-
StrapNoNo
Buy the Tribit Stormbox Blast at Amazon ($179.99) →Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 at Amazon ($499.99) →

How Tribit Stormbox Blast compares with other leading options:

Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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

Tribit Stormbox Blast: $179.99 Amazon eBay

Tribit Stormbox Blast ranking card

Newer model: the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2, ranked lower, rated 3.8/5.

Smaller models: the Tribit Stormbox Pro (rated 3.7/5), the Tribit Stormbox Flow (rated 3.5/5) and the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 (rated 4.5/5).

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. Measured bass extension of 43Hz (-10dB).

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.

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Full Tribit Stormbox Blast review and specifications →

Amplifier Power90W RMS (140W peak)
AppYes (Tribit App)
Aux InputYes
Aux Latency0ms
Bass Extension (-10dB)43Hz
Battery Life30 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Latency66ms
Bluetooth Version5.3
Built-in MicrophoneNo
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions15.7” x 6.3” x 9.1” (400 x 160 x 230 mm)
Drivers2x ~107mm (4.2”) woofers + 2x ~25mm tweeters
EQYes (10 band)
FM TunerNo
IP RatingIPX7
LightsYes
Maximum SPL108dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
MicroSD PlaybackNo
Microphone InputNo
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeNo
Power BankYes (USB-A)
Power InputAC Power cord
StereoYes
StrapNo
TWSYes
USB PlaybackNo
Weight12 lbs (5.45 kg)
Check current price at Amazon ($179.99) →Search eBay for Tribit Stormbox Blast →

Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5: $499.99 Discontinued Amazon eBay

Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 ranking card

Newer model: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, ranked higher, rated 4.1/5.

Pros: The iconic circular cabinet and integrated handle make it an attractive room-to-room speaker. Reviews praise its generous bass, balanced mids and smooth top end at moderate levels, giving it a warm, relaxed presentation for casual indoor music.

Cons: The large bass boost can mask lower-mid detail and make dense mixes muddy. Battery life is only around eight hours at moderate volume, it is not especially loud, and it has no water resistance for outdoor use. Discontinued.

Full Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 review and specifications →

Amplifier Power50W
AppNo
Aux InputYes
Battery Life8 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Version4.2
Built-in MicrophoneYes
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions11.3” x 11.3” (285.8 x 285.8 mm)
Drivers120mm woofer + 25mm tweeter + 2x passive radiators
EQNo
IP RatingIPX7
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (Wireless Dual Sound)
Power BankNo
Power InputDC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A)
StereoPartially (1 woofer)
StrapNo
TWSYes (see https://www.reddit.com/r/Bluetooth_Speakers/comments/w339x5/how_to_harman_kardon_onyx_studio_5_6_dual_sound/)
USB PlaybackNo
Weight6.6 lbs (3 kg)
Check current price at Amazon ($499.99) →Search eBay for Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 →