Short answer: the Zealot S89. It ranks #16 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $193.58; the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 ranks #19 and costs $499.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the Zealot S89 side: A great value for the bass performance, play time and max volume in the boombox class. Set against that: On the heavy side.
The case for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5: Elegant circular design with carrying handle. The tradeoff: Warm sound with boosted bass.
Buy the Zealot S89. 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 Zealot S89 is rated for 40 hours versus 8 hours for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5.
Specifications Side By Side
| Zealot S89 | Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $193.58 | $499.99 |
| Ranked | #16 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #19 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (multiple modes) | No |
| IP Rating | IPX6 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| Power Input | USB-C | 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 | 16.1 lbs / 7.3 kg | 6.6 lbs / 3 kg |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) | No |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Output Power | 250W | 50W |
| Dimensions | 21.2" x 10.4" x 9.4" (538 x 265 x 240 mm) | 11.3" x 11.3" (285.8 x 285.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 130W subwoofer + 2x 40mm drivers + 2x 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 Sony SRS-XG500
- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs JBL Authentics 300
- Zealot ZE21 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9
The Two Speakers In Full
Zealot S89: $193.58 Aliexpress Amazon
Pros: A great value for the bass performance, play time and max volume in the boombox class. Likely the same internals as the Zealot ZE21
Cons: On the heavy side. A little rolled off up top and not that balanced through the rest of the range. Clarity isn’t as good as better speakers. Bass EQ is bloated and muddy sounding
Full Zealot S89 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 21.2" x 10.4" x 9.4" (538 x 265 x 240 mm) |
| Drivers | 130W subwoofer + 2x 40mm drivers + 2x tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (multiple modes) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 250W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 16.1 lbs / 7.3 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Oluv Patreon: Zealot S89 vs Yeahbox Boom Max3 - indoor listening test
- Oluv Patreon: Zealot S89 vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max3 - outdoor test
- Dominik Reviews: Zealot S89 vs JBL Boombox 4 - JBL Alternative? Sound Test
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Vs Zealot S89!!!
- Techder Audios: ZEALOT S89 VS ZEALOT ZE01 EXTREME POWERFULL VS COMPACTER BASS PERFORMANCE!
- Reddit Search for Zealot S89 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Zealot S89 vs JBL Boombox 4
- Zealot S89 vs Zealot ZE21
- Zealot S89 vs Zealot ZE41
- Zealot S89 vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 2
- Zealot S89 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9
- Zealot S89 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7
- Zealot S89 vs JBL Boombox 3 Wifi
- Zealot S89 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6
- See all 19 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 LG Xboom Stage 301
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs Zealot ZE21
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs Zealot ZE41
- See all 19 comparisons