OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
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Scored using Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0
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Products in this category are scored under Frontum Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 Review | 130 Data compared

Avg. price:~£200Audio output power:60.00 WBattery life:8 hoursIP rating:?Bluetooth version:4.2Weight:2061 g

Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 Review: Compare 130 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Portable Speakers category and whether it is worth buying.

Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4
7.1/10

Overall score

Score
7.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of products in the Portable Speakers category, based on technical analysis and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference for identifying the best products in the Portable Speakers category.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 75% of models
Score components

80%

6.5

Technical score

20%

9.6

User score

â–²Better than 75% of portable speakers
7.8

Value for money

Value for money
7.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the overall score of products in the Portable Speakers category with their prices.
When it matters
When you are comparing products in the Portable Speakers category and want a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 68% of models
Score components

70%

7.1

Overall score

30%

9.5

Price

â–²Better than 68%
6.5

Technical score

Technical score
6.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Portable Speakers category across these key areas: Audio, Connectivity, Battery, Durability, Controls, Design, Smart features.
When it matters
When you want to compare products in the Portable Speakers category by technical performance, specifications, and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 53% of models
Score components

32%

7.6

Audio

20%

5.4

Battery

18%

6.4

Durability

16%

5.7

Connectivity

8%

6.9

Controls

3%

6.6

Design

3%

6.6

Smart features

â–¼Worse than 53%
9.6

User score

User score
9.6/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews with the total review volume for products in the Portable Speakers category.
When it matters
When you want to know how products in the Portable Speakers category perform in everyday use and how reliable owners find them over time.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 99% of models
Score components

70%

9.4

User ratings

30%

10

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
★Better than 99%
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Where to buy
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Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of portable speaker Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4

Technical score
Technical score
6.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Portable Speakers category across these key areas: Audio, Connectivity, Battery, Durability, Controls, Design, Smart features.
When it matters
When you want to compare products in the Portable Speakers category by technical performance, specifications, and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 53% of models
Score components:

32%

7.6

Audio

20%

5.4

Battery

18%

6.4

Durability

16%

5.7

Connectivity

8%

6.9

Controls

3%

6.6

Design

3%

6.6

Smart features

6.5
User score
User score
9.6/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews with the total review volume for products in the Portable Speakers category.
When it matters
When you want to know how products in the Portable Speakers category perform in everyday use and how reliable owners find them over time.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 99% of models
Score components

70%

9.4

User ratings

30%

10

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
9.6
Popularity
Popularity
10/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by products in the Portable Speakers category.
When it matters
When you prefer products in the Portable Speakers category that have been chosen and reviewed by many other buyers.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 92% of models
Popularity:
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 has a popularity score of 10 points, which is higher than 92% of products in this category.
10
Value for money
Value for money
7.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the overall score of products in the Portable Speakers category with their prices.
When it matters
When you are comparing products in the Portable Speakers category and want a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 68% of models
Score components:

70%

7.1

Overall score

30%

9.5

Price

7.8
Audio output power
60 W
Market range: <4 W – >100 W
This portable speaker has an audio output power of 60 W which is higher than that of 79.9% of portable speakers and equal to that of 4.5% of portable speakers.
Driver unit size
?
Number of drivers
4
Market range: <0 – >5
This portable speaker has 4 drivers, which is more than 81.7% of portable speakers and equal to the number in 11.9% of portable speakers.
Frequency response tolerance
?
Lowest frequency
50 Hz
Market range: <20 Hz – >120 Hz
This portable speaker has a lowest frequency of 50 Hz which is lower than that of 59.9% of portable speakers and equal to that of 9.1% of portable speakers.
Show more
Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This portable speaker supports Bluetooth audio. 5.4% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Bluetooth version
4.2
Market range: <3 – >5.3
This portable speaker supports Bluetooth version 4.2 which is older than that of 53.8% of portable speakers and equal to that of 17.8% of portable speakers.
Maximum Bluetooth range
10 m
Market range: <10 m – >30 m
This portable speaker has a maximum Bluetooth range of 10 m which is longer than that of 4.3% of portable speakers and equal to that of 70.2% of portable speakers.
Bluetooth profiles supported
A2DP; AVRCP; HFP
Bluetooth LE Audio
no
This portable speaker does not support Bluetooth LE Audio. 2.5% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
Battery life
8 hours
Market range: <6 hours – >24 hours
This portable speaker has a battery life of 8 hours which is shorter than that of 68.9% of portable speakers and equal to that of 11.6% of portable speakers.
Battery capacity
3,000 mAh
Market range: <900 mAh – >6.6k mAh
This portable speaker has a battery capacity of 3,000 mAh which is larger than that of 58.8% of portable speakers and equal to that of 3.8% of portable speakers.
Charging time
5 hours
Market range: <2 hours – >5 hours
This portable speaker has a charging time of 5 hours which is longer than that of 87% of portable speakers and equal to that of 7.7% of portable speakers.
Maximum charging input power
38 W
Market range: <5 W – >30 W
This portable speaker has a maximum charging input power of 38 W which is higher than that of 93.3% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.4% of portable speakers.
Built-in rechargeable battery
yes
This portable speaker has a built-in rechargeable battery. 18.7% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
IP rating
?
Water resistance
no
This portable speaker is not water resistant. 61.7% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Dust resistance
no
This portable speaker is not rated as dust resistant. 51.5% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Waterproof depth rating
?
Drop resistance
?
Show more
On-device controls placement
top; rear
Touchscreen
no
This portable speaker does not have a touchscreen. 0.3% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Smartphone app control
yes
This portable speaker supports smartphone app control. 46.1% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Compatible mobile app provides speaker control or settings.
Remote control
no
This portable speaker does not include a remote control. 15% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Fast pairing
no
This portable speaker does not support fast pairing. 22.5% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
Weight
2061 g
Market range: <200 g – >5.6k g
This portable speaker weighs 2061 g which is heavier than that of 72.8% of portable speakers.
Height
26 cm
Market range: <5.79 cm – >29 cm
This portable speaker has a height of 26 cm which is taller than that of 87.9% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.1% of portable speakers.
Width
27.8 cm
Market range: <7.6 cm – >37 cm
This portable speaker has a width of 27.8 cm which is wider than that of 75.3% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.3% of portable speakers.
Depth
15.95 cm
Market range: <4.3 cm – >19.97 cm
This portable speaker has a depth of 15.95 cm which is deeper than that of 82.3% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.1% of portable speakers.
Carry options
handle
Show more
Companion app name
HK Connect
Firmware updates
no
This portable speaker does not support firmware updates. 47.2% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Firmware update method
?
Voice assistant support
yes
This portable speaker supports voice assistants. 73.6% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Supports direct voice-assistant control.
Spotify Connect
no
This portable speaker does not support Spotify Connect. 10.8% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more

Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 vs the average portable speaker

246810TotalAudioConnectivityBatteryDurabilityControlsDesignSmart features
  • 40 W more audio output power
    This portable speaker has more audio output power than the average portable speaker (60 W vs 20 W).
    60 W vs 20 W
  • 2 more speaker drivers
    This portable speaker has more speaker drivers than the average portable speaker (4 vs 2).
    4 vs 2
  • Includes a subwoofer
    This portable speaker includes a subwoofer, while the average portable speaker does not include a subwoofer.
    Has an integrated active subwoofer driver.
  • 1 more multipoint connections
    This portable speaker has more multipoint connections than the average portable speaker (2 vs 1).
    2 vs 1
  • 28 W higher charging input power
    This portable speaker has higher charging input power than the average portable speaker (38 W vs 10 W).
    38 W vs 10 W
  • Has a noise-canceling microphone
    This portable speaker has a noise-canceling microphone, while the average portable speaker does not have a noise-canceling microphone.
    Uses microphone noise/echo cancellation for calls or voice.
  • Has built-in stereo speakers
    This portable speaker has built-in stereo speakers, while the average portable speaker does not have built-in stereo speakers.
    Provides true stereo output within the unit.
  • Has an equalizer
    This portable speaker has an equalizer, while the average portable speaker does not have an equalizer.
    Offers user-selectable EQ, tone adjustment, or sound presets.
  • 19.8% higher user score
    User score
    9.6/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews with the total review volume for products in the Portable Speakers category.
    When it matters
    When you want to know how products in the Portable Speakers category perform in everyday use and how reliable owners find them over time.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4
    the average portable speaker
    Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 has a higher user score than the average portable speaker (9.58 vs 8).
    9.58 vs 8
  • 2.38x more popular
    Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 is more popular than the average portable speaker (10 vs 4.21).
    10 vs 4.21
  • 40 W more audio output power
    This portable speaker has more audio output power than the average portable speaker (60 W vs 20 W).
    60 W vs 20 W
  • 2 more speaker drivers
    This portable speaker has more speaker drivers than the average portable speaker (4 vs 2).
    4 vs 2
  • Includes a subwoofer
    This portable speaker includes a subwoofer, while the average portable speaker does not include a subwoofer.
    Has an integrated active subwoofer driver.
  • Has a noise-canceling microphone
    This portable speaker has a noise-canceling microphone, while the average portable speaker does not have a noise-canceling microphone.
    Uses microphone noise/echo cancellation for calls or voice.
  • Has built-in stereo speakers
    This portable speaker has built-in stereo speakers, while the average portable speaker does not have built-in stereo speakers.
    Provides true stereo output within the unit.
  • 10 Hz deeper bass extension
    This portable speaker has deeper bass extension than the average portable speaker (50 Hz vs 60 Hz).
    50 Hz vs 60 Hz
  • 35 ms lower audio latency
    This portable speaker has lower audio latency than the average portable speaker (50 ms vs 85 ms).
    50 ms vs 85 ms
  • 1 more multipoint connections
    This portable speaker has more multipoint connections than the average portable speaker (2 vs 1).
    2 vs 1
  • 28 W higher charging input power
    This portable speaker has higher charging input power than the average portable speaker (38 W vs 10 W).
    38 W vs 10 W
  • Includes a power adapter
    This portable speaker includes a power adapter, while the average portable speaker does not include a power adapter.
  • 400 mAh more battery capacity
    This portable speaker has a larger battery capacity than the average portable speaker (3,000 mAh vs 2,600 mAh).
    3,000 mAh vs 2,600 mAh
  • Has an equalizer
    This portable speaker has an equalizer, while the average portable speaker does not have an equalizer.
    Offers user-selectable EQ, tone adjustment, or sound presets.
  • Supports party mode
    This portable speaker supports party mode, while the average portable speaker does not support party mode.
    Supports synchronized multi-speaker party/group playback.
  • Supports playback mute
    This portable speaker supports playback mute, while the average portable speaker does not support playback mute.
    Speaker playback audio can be directly muted.
  • Has a programmable button
    This portable speaker has a programmable button, while the average portable speaker does not have a programmable button.
    Has a user-programmable physical button.
  • Supports multi-room audio
    This portable speaker supports multi-room audio, while the average portable speaker does not support multi-room audio.
    Supports synchronized multi-room playback.
  • Supports voice assistants
    This portable speaker supports voice assistants, while the average portable speaker does not support voice assistants.
    Supports direct voice-assistant control.
  • Is not water resistant
    This portable speaker is not water resistant, while the average portable speaker is water resistant.
  • Is not rated as dust resistant
    This portable speaker is not rated as dust resistant, while the average portable speaker is dust resistant.
  • 12 dB SPL lower maximum sound pressure
    This portable speaker has a lower maximum sound pressure level than the average portable speaker (80 dB SPL vs 92 dB SPL).
    80 dB SPL vs 92 dB SPL
  • 2 hours longer charging time
    This portable speaker has a longer charging time than the average portable speaker (5 hours vs 3 hours).
    5 hours vs 3 hours
  • 4 hours shorter battery life
    This portable speaker has a shorter battery life than the average portable speaker (8 hours vs 12 hours).
    8 hours vs 12 hours
  • Does not support stereo pairing
    This portable speaker does not support stereo pairing, while the average portable speaker supports stereo pairing.
  • 0.8 Bluetooth levels older
    This portable speaker has an older Bluetooth version than the average portable speaker (4.2 vs 5).
    4.2 vs 5
  • 1,261 g heavier
    This portable speaker is heavier than the average portable speaker (2061 g vs 800 g).
    2,061 g vs 800 g
  • 2.22x more expensive
    Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 is more expensive than the average portable speaker (£200 vs £90).
    £200 vs £90
  • 12 dB SPL lower maximum sound pressure
    This portable speaker has a lower maximum sound pressure level than the average portable speaker (80 dB SPL vs 92 dB SPL).
    80 dB SPL vs 92 dB SPL
  • 26 mm smaller built-in subwoofer
    This portable speaker has a smaller built-in subwoofer than the average portable speaker (75 mm vs 101 mm).
    75 mm vs 101 mm
  • 0.8 Bluetooth levels older
    This portable speaker has an older Bluetooth version than the average portable speaker (4.2 vs 5).
    4.2 vs 5
  • 2 hours longer charging time
    This portable speaker has a longer charging time than the average portable speaker (5 hours vs 3 hours).
    5 hours vs 3 hours
  • 4 hours shorter battery life
    This portable speaker has a shorter battery life than the average portable speaker (8 hours vs 12 hours).
    8 hours vs 12 hours
  • Is not water resistant
    This portable speaker is not water resistant, while the average portable speaker is water resistant.
  • Is not rated as dust resistant
    This portable speaker is not rated as dust resistant, while the average portable speaker is dust resistant.
  • Does not support stereo pairing
    This portable speaker does not support stereo pairing, while the average portable speaker supports stereo pairing.
  • Does not provide voice prompts
    This portable speaker does not provide voice prompts, while the average portable speaker provides voice prompts.
    No spoken status prompts; feedback is absent, visual, or tone-based.
  • 1,261 g heavier
    This portable speaker is heavier than the average portable speaker (2061 g vs 800 g).
    2,061 g vs 800 g
  • 13.6 cm taller
    This portable speaker is taller than the average portable speaker (26 cm vs 12.4 cm).
    26 cm vs 12.4 cm
  • 7.65 cm deeper
    This portable speaker is deeper than the average portable speaker (16 cm vs 8.3 cm).
    15.95 cm vs 8.3 cm
  • 9.7 cm wider
    This portable speaker is wider than the average portable speaker (27.8 cm vs 18.1 cm).
    27.8 cm vs 18.1 cm

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

T
techgearlab.com
18/02/2018
Summary of the review
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 Review | Tested & Rated If you want, I can expand this research to include: Full testing reviews for other precise generat...
T
techgearlab.com
20/02/2018
Summary of the review
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 Review | Tested & Rated TechGearLab
H
hifitest.de
Test Date Not Specified
Summary of the review
Review - Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 - hifitest.de
(Translated)Show original
L
lesnumeriques.com
27/02/2018
Summary of the review
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 Portable Speaker Review: The Quiet Force
(Translated)Show original
L
leclaireur.fnac.com
14/10/2017
Summary of the review
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 Lab Test: The same, with better battery life
(Translated)Show original
P
pisapapeles.net
03/09/2018
Summary of the review
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 Review - Paperweight
(Translated)Show original
T
tweakers.net
10/01/2019
Summary of the review
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 Black
(Translated)Show original
T
tweakers.net
19/12/2024
Summary of the review
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 Grey
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: August 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4

  • Exceptional overall sound quality with crisp mids and clear highs
  • Deep, powerful, and rich bass response
  • High volume output capable of easily filling large rooms or events
  • Maintains audio clarity at high volumes with minimal distortion
  • HK Connect+ feature allows daisy-chaining up to 100+ compatible speakers
  • Sturdy build quality and an attractive, premium design

What customers don't like about Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4

  • Subpar battery life that often drains faster than the claimed 8 hours when played loudly
  • Bulky, heavy basketball-sized shape that limits portable travel or fitting into backpacks
  • Lacks water resistance, making it risky for beach or poolside use
  • Power drop when unplugged, reducing total output wattage significantly on battery mode
  • Charges via a large external power brick rather than a standard USB cable
  • Design of the supporting legs can feel awkward or unstable on certain surfaces

Verdict

The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 is an iconic, disc-shaped portable Bluetooth 4.2 speaker equipped with two 75mm woofers, two 20mm tweeters, and dual passive radiators, delivering a frequency response of 50Hz–20kHz (-6dB) and an 80dB signal-to-noise ratio. Its main characteristics include an output power of 60W RMS (4 x 15W) when plugged into AC power, which drops to 30W RMS (4 x 7.5W) when running on its 3,000mAh internal battery. Major pros highlight its deep, resonant bass, clear highs, crystal-clear conferencing with VoiceLogic noise cancellation, multi-device pairing for two smartphones, and HK Connect+ compatibility to link over 100 speakers. However, notable cons include a heavy 4.5-pound frame that mimics the size of a basketball, a lacking IP water-resistance rating, and a mediocre battery performance that often falls short of its advertised 8-hour playtime during loud playback.

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