Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, if you are buying new. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 ranks higher than the Turtlebox Gen 3 (#13 vs #85 of 91 boombox speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, is rated 4.1/5 at $189.99 and is still sold new.
The Turtlebox Gen 3 is the longer-running choice. Waterproof (IP67, and it floats) and crushproof, with stainless steel hardware and quality amplifier parts inside. It is rated for 25 hours of battery against 8 for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6. The catch: Sounds basically identical to the original and the Turtlebox Gen 2: each generation mainly added features, not sound quality.
The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass choice. Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 uses a 120mm woofer, 25mm tweeter and passive radiator. Its bass reaches about 37Hz before falling 10dB, against 65Hz for the Turtlebox Gen 3. At 6.5 lbs (2.94 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the Turtlebox Gen 3 at 10 lbs (4.54 kg). Watch for: Warm tuning with boosted bass, and not as loud as others.
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, the replacement for the discontinued Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6; it is rated higher for sound quality than the Turtlebox Gen 3.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Turtlebox Gen 3 | Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $430.00 | $130 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #85 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #13 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~65Hz | 37Hz |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 10 lbs (4.54 kg) | 6.5 lbs (2.94 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | 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/) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Turtlebox Party Mode) | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (15V/3A) | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2A) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 4.2 |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | 50W RMS |
| Dimensions | 12” x 7” x 8.7” (305 x 178 x 222 mm) | 5” x 11.5” x 11.2” (128 x 291 x 284 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 6x9” (152x228mm) woofer + 1x 1” (25mm) tweeter | 1x 120mm (4.7”) woofer + 1x 25mm (1”) tweeter + 1x passive radiator |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | No |
| Microphone Input | Yes (3.5mm) | - |
| Battery Capacity | 85Wh | - |
| Maximum SPL | 102dB (measured by Williston Audio Labs) | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 180ms |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6:
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6
Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 AM 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
Turtlebox Gen 3: $430.00 Amazon eBay
Older models: the Turtlebox Gen 2 (ranked lower, rated 2.1/5) and the Turtlebox (ranked lower, rated 2.1/5). See every Turtlebox generation.
Same family: the Turtlebox Cub (smaller model, rated 3/5), the Turtlebox Ranger (smaller model, rated 3.5/5) and the Turtlebox Grande (larger model, ranked higher, rated 2.6/5).
Pros: Waterproof (IP67, and it floats) and crushproof, with stainless steel hardware and quality amplifier parts inside. Loud for its class: Williston Audio Labs measured 102 dB at max volume, well above a Kicker Bullfrog BF400’s 96 dB. A big 85Wh battery rated for 25+ hours, a USB-C output that charges other devices, aux and microphone inputs, and true multi-speaker Party Mode on top of stereo pairing, plus Bluetooth 5.4. Measured bass extension of ~65Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Sounds basically identical to the original and the Turtlebox Gen 2: each generation mainly added features, not sound quality. The amp is tuned to a V shape, with boosted lows and highs and a dip in the mids, but the boost can’t make up for shallow extension: the bass is only down 10dB at about 65Hz, so there’s little real low end despite the boomy upper bass. The amp delivers only about 12W RMS at 1% distortion. In Williston Audio Labs’ side by side test most listeners preferred the much smaller Kicker Bullfrog BF400 for its cleaner sound, and a Pioneer PBM5 played louder at 105 dB. Nowhere near its claimed 120dB at a reasonable measuring distance. Rattles at high volume. It charges only from its own 15V barrel plug brick, not USB-C, and has no app or EQ. Inside is essentially a car audio 6x9 two way speaker in a plastic box.
Full Turtlebox Gen 3 review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~65Hz |
| Battery Capacity | 85Wh |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12” x 7” x 8.7” (305 x 178 x 222 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 6x9” (152x228mm) woofer + 1x 1” (25mm) tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 102dB (measured by Williston Audio Labs) |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Turtlebox Party Mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (15V/3A) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 10 lbs (4.54 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6: $130 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, ranked lower, rated 4.1/5, released Dec 2024.
Older models: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 (ranked lower, rated 3.9/5) and the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 (rated 3.3/5). See every Harman Kardon Onyx Studio generation.
Pros: Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 uses a 120mm woofer, 25mm tweeter and passive radiator. Its 2.94 kg, claimed 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IPX7 protection, aux input and up to 96dB make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Measured bass extension of 37Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 37Hz specification. There is no companion app. No EQ adjustment. Warm tuning with boosted bass, and not as loud as others. Discontinued.
Full Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 180ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5” x 11.5” x 11.2” (128 x 291 x 284 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 120mm (4.7”) woofer + 1x 25mm (1”) tweeter + 1x passive radiator |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2A) |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| 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 | 6.5 lbs (2.94 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Onyx Studio 7 vs Onyx Studio 6 - massive deep bass battle 😁 More from alanrossreviews →
- That Speaker Guy: Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 vs Devialet Mania
- Ezekielo: Citation 200 vs Onyx Studio 6 vs Bose Portable Speaker Sound Comparison
- Alan Ross Reviews: Harman Kardon Go+ Play 2 mini or Onyx Studio 6 - best speaker for bass?
- Alan Ross Reviews: Ultimate HK Onyx Studio speaker review and comparison! 8 speakers!
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