Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 for better sound quality, the Turtlebox for the lower price. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 ranks #19 of 73 boombox speakers at $499.99. The Turtlebox ranks #70 at $329, $170.99 cheaper.
What the Turtlebox offers: Waterproof and crushproof, loud with punchy bass. 25 hour battery life (6 hours at full volume). Pairs with a second unit for stereo. Watch for: Sounds basically identical to the later Gen 2 and Gen 3: each generation mainly added features, not sound quality. They pretty much lie about all their specs and sound horrible in all youtube sound samples. Only 50w (from their indigogo page), will never hit 120db at a reasonable measuring distance. Putting your db meter right against the speaker doesn’t count, 1 meter distance is the standard. Barely any bass. Rattles at high volume. Uses an external AC power brick to charge, before USB-C was added on the Gen 2. Looking at it, it appears to be a generic car 2-way 6x9 speaker in a plastic box.
What the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 offers: 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. Watch for: Warm sound with boosted bass. 8 hour battery at medium volume. Not at loud as others.
Buy the Turtlebox if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 if sound quality matters more than the price.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Turtlebox. It ranks near the bottom of the 73 boombox speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
If battery life is a priority, the Turtlebox is rated for 25 hours versus 8 hours for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5.
Specifications Side By Side
| Turtlebox | Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329 Discontinued | $499.99 |
| Ranked | #70 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #19 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~65Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 10 lbs / 4.54 kg | 6.6 lbs / 3 kg |
| 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 | No | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power brick | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.0 | - |
| Output Power | 50W | 50W |
| Dimensions | 12" x 7" x 8.7" (305 x 178 x 222 mm) | 11.3" x 11.3" (285.8 x 285.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 6x9" (152x228mm) woofer + 1x 1" (25mm) tweeter | 2x 75mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Turtlebox Gen 3 vs Turtlebox Gen 2
- Turtlebox Gen 3 vs JBL Boombox 3 Wifi
- Turtlebox Gen 2 vs Marshall Tufton
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs JBL Boombox 3
Prices on this page were last checked August 25, 2026 at 6:19 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Turtlebox: $329 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Pros: Waterproof and crushproof, loud with punchy bass. 25 hour battery life (6 hours at full volume). Pairs with a second unit for stereo.
Cons: Sounds basically identical to the later Gen 2 and Gen 3: each generation mainly added features, not sound quality. They pretty much lie about all their specs and sound horrible in all youtube sound samples. Only 50w (from their indigogo page), will never hit 120db at a reasonable measuring distance. Putting your db meter right against the speaker doesn’t count, 1 meter distance is the standard. Barely any bass. Rattles at high volume. Uses an external AC power brick to charge, before USB-C was added on the Gen 2. Looking at it, it appears to be a generic car 2-way 6x9 speaker in a plastic box. Discontinued.
Full Turtlebox review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~65Hz |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.0 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12" x 7" x 8.7" (305 x 178 x 222 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x 6x9" (152x228mm) woofer + 1x 1" (25mm) tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 50W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 10 lbs / 4.54 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Turtlebox Gen 1 vs JBL Partybox 110 Review
- Outeraudio: Turtlebox vs EcoXgear Defender Sound Comparison
- Risk Profile: TurtleBox Demo Risk Profile Podcast
- Everyday Man: Soundboks Go Vs Turttlebox Vs EcoXGear Defender
- KosherTech: Soundcore Rave VS Turtlebox- (Sound Test Only)🎧
- Reddit Search for Turtlebox Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5: $499.99 Amazon eBay
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 |
- 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 32 comparisons