Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, if you are buying new. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 ranks higher than the Turtlebox Grande (#24 vs #71 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 Grande is the longer-running choice. 10-inch woofer. It is rated for 25 hours of battery against 8 for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5. The catch: In YouTube sound samples it sounds only okay, and bass is shallow for a 10 inch woofer, only down 10dB at about 55Hz.
The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 is the better-sounding, lighter option. The iconic circular cabinet and integrated handle make it an attractive room-to-room speaker. At 6.6 lbs (3 kg) it weighs much less than the Turtlebox Grande at 18.8 lbs (8.53 kg). The tradeoff: The large bass boost can mask lower-mid detail and make dense mixes muddy.
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, the replacement for the discontinued Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5; it is rated higher for sound quality than the Turtlebox Grande.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Turtlebox Grande | Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $730.00 | $499.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #71 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #24 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Turtlebox Party Mode) | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (20V/3A) | 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 | 18.8 lbs (8.53 kg) | 6.6 lbs (3 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 4.2 |
| Amplifier Power | 86W | 50W |
| Dimensions | 14” x 8.4” x 11.5” (355.6 x 213.4 x 292.1 mm) | 11.3” x 11.3” (285.8 x 285.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 10” (254mm) woofer + 1x 1.25” (32mm) titanium tweeter | 120mm woofer + 25mm tweeter + 2x passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5:
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5
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 Grande: $730.00 Amazon eBay
Same family: the Turtlebox Cub (smaller model, rated 3/5), the Turtlebox Ranger (smaller model, rated 3.5/5) and the Turtlebox Gen 3 (smaller model, ranked lower, rated 2.1/5). See every Turtlebox generation.
Pros: 10-inch woofer. IP67 submersible shell with crush-proof ABS exterior. 158Wh battery provides ~3 days of playback. Bluetooth 5.4, party mode (100+ speakers). Measured bass extension of ~55Hz (-10dB).
Cons: In YouTube sound samples it sounds only okay, and bass is shallow for a 10 inch woofer, only down 10dB at about 55Hz. It is rated at just 86W, and like the smaller Turtleboxes it won’t reach its claimed 126dB at a standard one meter distance. Expensive for what it delivers. It charges only from its own barrel plug adapter, not USB-C.
Full Turtlebox Grande review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 86W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 14” x 8.4” x 11.5” (355.6 x 213.4 x 292.1 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 10” (254mm) woofer + 1x 1.25” (32mm) titanium tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Turtlebox Party Mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (20V/3A) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 18.8 lbs (8.53 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Turtlebox Grande vs W-King D10
- Turtlebox Grande vs Bumpboxx Flare 8
- Turtlebox Grande vs Bumpboxx Flare 6
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- Turtlebox Grande vs EcoXGear Defender
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- Turtlebox Grande vs Tronsmart Halo 200
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Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5: $499.99 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, ranked higher, rated 4.1/5, released Dec 2024.
Older model: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 (rated 3.3/5). See every Harman Kardon Onyx Studio generation.
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 →
| Released | Sep 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W |
| App | No |
| 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 | 11.3” x 11.3” (285.8 x 285.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 25mm tweeter + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| 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 | 6.6 lbs (3 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 2
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- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs Zealot S89
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- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
- See all 61 comparisons