If You are in a Hurry! Here is a quick comperation between Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 and JBL Boombox.
|
Model |
Onyx Studio 6 |
JBL Boombox |
|---|---|---|
|
Dimensions |
11.5 x 11.2 x 5 inches |
19.49 x 10.02 x 7.7 inches |
|
Weight |
6.6lb |
11.46lb |
|
Battery size |
3,283mAh |
20,000mAh |
|
Playtime |
Up to 8 hours |
Up to 24 hours |
|
Frequency response |
55Hz – 20kHz |
55Hz – 20kHz |
|
Number of active drivers |
1 |
4 |
|
Rating |
||
|
Price |
Bluetooth speakers nowadays come in different sizes, and both of these speakers should be enough to fulfil your sound requirements. Onyx Studio 5 vs. JBL Boombox is a typical rivalry as both speakers are in the same big-sized category.
Even though they are both portable Bluetooth speakers, given their size, they may be difficult to carry them around, but they can easily replace your entire home sound system.
In this review, we will pit Onyx Studio 6 and JBL Boombox against each other and find out why most people prefer the JBL Boombox.
About Harman Kardon
Harman Kardon is a company which is well-known for its high-quality sound and exquisite design. It started 70 years ago, and from day one it has been known for its professionalism in the audio industry.
The company manufactures audio equipment for massive car companies such as Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and BMW.
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6
Onyx Studio 6 is a well-designed Bluetooth speaker with excellent sound quality. It is made from high-quality materials, which makes it a highly durable yet elegant piece of technology for your home.
One of the most significant improvements over its predecessor is the IPX7 certification for water resistance. It is an incredible speaker which will satisfy your every need.
Pros
- Beautiful design
- Excellent sound quality
- Massive kick from the bass
- Multi-host and dual sound features
Cons
- Cannot use dual sound with older Onyx series
- Although it is made from high-quality materials, it is not shockproof
About JBL
JBL is the world’s leading manufacturer of Bluetooth speakers, with over 100 million Bluetooth speakers sold globally. The company entered the Bluetooth speaker industry a while ago, and still designs highly durable products which offer excellent sound quality.
JBL Boombox
The JBL Boombox is a bulky and powerful Bluetooth speaker which will rock your world. JBL has grabbed the idea of a Bluetooth speaker and taken it to the next level.
The JBL Boombox is a durable, cylindrical Bluetooth speaker which is also water-resistant. Given its size, as well as the hard bass it produces, it still manages to balance the highs and mids, which makes it the perfect audio device for any occasion.
Pros
- Mind-blowing bass
- IPX7 waterproofing
- Can be used as a mobile charger
- Very durable
Cons
- Very big and heavy
- Not a perfectly balanced sound
Head to Head: Which is better, the JBL Boombox or Onyx Studio 6?
Design
In terms of design, both manufacturers decided to stick to their original idea for the shape.
Harman Kardon designed the first Onyx as a circular Bluetooth speaker, and their latest creation is very much the same.
The only difference is the handle on top of the Onyx Studio 6, which makes it much easier to carry the speaker with you. It has an exquisite design which will fit perfectly in any modern home.
The Onyx Studio 6 is made from high-quality fabric which covers the entire speaker and has an aluminum handle. This is probably the most refined design for a Bluetooth speaker, and it comes in three colors (black with a black handle, gray with a bronze handle, and navy blue with a bronze handle).
On the front side, there are five buttons which can help you navigate through tracks, increase or decrease volume, sync with other devices, and turn your Bluetooth speaker on or off. Underneath the buttons, there is a single LED light which shows when the device is connected, or has a low battery.
On the other hand, the JBL Boombox relies on basic design principles. As with previous versions, the JBL Boombox is covered with fabric and plastic to make it water-resistant and has a large sturdy handle which runs across the speaker for carrying it around with ease.
Measuring 10 x 19.5 x 7.7 inches, it belongs in the category of big Bluetooth speakers. JBL has kept things simple by adding a few buttons (power button, volume up/down, Connect+, Bluetooth, play/pause) on the front, just like on most of their other products.
In terms of design, the JBL Boombox feels outdated when compared to the futuristic Onyx Studio 6.
Winner: Onyx Studio 6
More: JBL Xtreme 2 vs Charge 4: Which One Is the Best?
Specifications
The Onyx Studio 6 has one 120mm woofer and only one 25mm tweeter, which is less than on the previous version, Onyx Studio 4. It seems like Harman Kardon decided to go with fewer drivers but have still managed to improve the sound quality.
On the other hand, the JBL Boombox has massive 4-inch woofers and dual 20mm tweeters, which make it much more powerful.
Another vital factor you need to consider when buying a Bluetooth speaker is frequency response. The Onyx Studio 6 has a frequency response from 50Hz – 20kHz, which is precisely the same as the JBL Boombox.
In terms of battery, the JBL Boombox runs rings around the Onyx Studio 6. The JBL Boombox has a 20,000 mAh battery with an impressive playtime of up to 25 hours. On the other hand, the Onyx Studio 6 only has a 3,283mAh battery and a playtime of up to 8 hours.
Both Bluetooth speakers are IPX7 rated, which means they can be submerged in water for up to 30 minutes.
Winner: JBL Boombox
More: JBL Xtreme 2 vs Xtreme: Should You Consider the Upgrade?
Sound Quality
This is possibly the deciding factor for many people who are interested in buying one of these Bluetooth speakers.
You should keep in mind that we are talking about Bluetooth speaker royalty, and this means you can expect nothing less than perfection.
What’s interesting about the JBL Boombox is that it has two different sound modes, one for indoor use, and one for outdoor use.
The difference between both modes is that when you select outdoor mode, the speaker increases the low-frequency part of the audio spectrum. The end result is a mind-blowing amount of mid-bass that you don’t expect from a Bluetooth speaker.
The JBL Boombox offers a raw, physical beat that can be felt in the chest as it is extremely loud. However, the incredible amount of bass has negative effects on the mids and highs. When you turn up the volume, the vocals simply don’t sound as lively.
On the other hand, the Onyx Studio 6 has a more subtle sound approach. This Bluetooth speaker has the perfect balance between lows, mids, and highs. It is also a loudspeaker, and is perfect for small gatherings, but you cannot compare it to the JBL Boombox as they are not even in the same division.
Winner: JBL Boombox
More: JBL Flip 4 vs JBL Charge 4: Which Bluetooth Speaker is the Better Option?
Connectivity
Both devices offer wired AUX connectivity as well as USB. The Boombox only has 1 USB port, whereas the Onyx Studio 6 has two USB ports, which is a good feature, but not essential.
The best thing about the JBL Boombox is that it can be synced with up to 100 other JBL Bluetooth speakers and play music simultaneously, whereas the Onyx Studio 6 can only be connected to one other device, and this needs to be another Studio 6 device.
Both devices work entirely via Bluetooth and provide a pretty good range of approximately 20 meters.
Another important feature of the Boombox is that it can be used as a device charger. Given its massive 20,000 mAh battery, you will be able to charge your phone while you listen to music.
Winner: JBL Boombox
More: Beats Solo3 Vs Studio3 – Detailed Comparison of Bluetooth Headphones
What is the Difference Between the Onyx Studio 6 and the JBL Boombox?
Design
In terms of design, they are very different. In fact, the Onyx Studio 6 is about half the size of the JBL Boombox. It is also more than 2kg lighter and 204mm narrower.
The design depends on your personal preference and your intended use for the Bluetooth speaker. As both Bluetooth speakers are quite large, it will be difficult to carry them with you on vacation.
Stereo
This is where the JBL Boombox uses its advantage of an additional driver. The Onyx Studio 6 has only one driver, so it is impossible to play stereo music.
On the other hand, the JBL Boombox is fully stereo capable and delivers sound from independent channels on both right and left sides, which brings the music to another level.
Battery Charging Time
Given its smaller battery size, obviously the Onyx Studio 6 will come to full charge faster. However, the difference is not that significant.
The Onyx Studio 6 can be fully charged in 5 hours, whereas the JBL Boombox coms to a full charge in 6.5 hours. Bearing in mind that the JBL Boombox has 20,000 mAh battery, this charging time is really impressive.
More: Solo 2 VS Solo 3: The Beat-Sing Game!
Voice Commands
Although both Bluetooth speakers have built-in microphones, only the JBL Boombox works with voice commands. The system works perfectly, even while listening to music, meaning that you can skip songs, answer calls, or play music using voice commands.
Mobile App
Almost all JBL Bluetooth speakers can be connected to an app which can be downloaded for Android or iOS. This app will allow you to control functions on the Bluetooth speaker, such as selecting modes for playing, using the equalizer, or optimizing battery settings.
It is a nice feature to have, particularly when you buy a high-end Bluetooth speaker such as one of these.
Unfortunately, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 doesn’t have an app. The previous version, Onyx Studio 4, had one, but it didn’t prove to be particularly successful.
Verdict
Choose the JBL Boombox if:
- You want an extremely loud BT speaker which is fully party-capable
- You want a hard bass kick
- You want longer playtime
- Most of your friends have JBL Bluetooth speakers
Choose the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 if:
- You want to accent vocals
- You want a sharper sound
- You want a more balanced sound
- You want a smaller and lighter Bluetooth speaker
Both Bluetooth speakers are leading products in the industry. They are built by two of the best audio companies in the world and will last forever if you take proper care of them.
The Onyx Studio 6 is a Bluetooth speaker which is designed for home entertaining, whereas the JBL Boombox and its sheer power is designed to rock your world. It seems like the JBL Boombox offers more for your money, so this should be your preferred choice.
