Verdict
Punchy audio, sculptural design, and robust battery life make this compact, portable Bluetooth speaker a bona fide winner. Sonically, it’s as clear as a bell and has bass to spare, just don’t take it out in the rain…
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Stylish design with excellent portability -
Multipoint pairing and USB-C charging -
8-hour battery life
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No Weatherproofing so not really suitable for beach or poolside -
Lacks Wi-Fi and smart features -
Suffers from midrange recess
Key Features
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Constant Sound Field Technology
Engineered to deliver a hard centre vocal and wide soundstage -
Stereo pairing and Party Mode
Buy two or more Studio 9s and multiply your fun -
7-Band EQ via app
You can tweak if you wanna, using the partnering app
Introduction
The Onyx Studio 9 is the latest iteration in Harman Kardon’s portable Onyx Studio speaker line. It follows 2022’s Studio 8 and continues the brand’s tradition of fusing elegant form with functional sound.
This model adds key performance upgrades, including a third tweeter for greater clarity, improved high-frequency output, and a new self-tuning EQ system.
In a world of boxy Bluetooth boomboxes, the Onyx Studio 9 certainly stands out – but beneath that sexy silhouette, does it have the musical muscle to impress mainstream buyers?
Price
With a list price of £229.29 in the UK ($299.95 in the US; AU$360 in Australia), the Onyx Studio 9 sits in the upper mid-range Bluetooth speaker market. It’s not cheap, but it looks like it should cost a little more. Thankfully, there’s substance to its considerable style.
Design
- Premium fabric finish
- Integrated carry handle
You’re looking good Onyx Studio 9. I can see the family resemblance, but you’re more svelte than your older brother, and frankly, I think that’s an improvement.
Circular, clean, modernist – I like the cut of your jib, and how the gunmetal grey loop, apparently made from recycled aluminium, cleverly doubles as both stand and handle.
That said, you’re not an all-terrain speaker; there’s no IP rating, so a spilled G&T or sudden rain burst could be your undoing. Dust resistance is non-existent.
The Onyx Studio 9 is portable, yes, but probably best suited to living rooms and kitchens, than pool parties or camping trips.
Detailing is excellent. Look close and you’ll spot a command strip made of spongy silicon, offering power, Bluetooth, volume and playback controls.
Behind the cloth is a 120mm woofer and three 20mm tweeters, all forward-facing. This isn’t an omnidirectional, 360-degree design, but it does deliver a surprisingly wide soundstage.
The speaker’s footprint is a modest 289.2 x 287.5 x 130mm, yet despite this, there’s no bulky outboard power brick to accommodate, which keeps things tidy even when parked.
Connectivity
- Bluetooth 5.3
- No Wi-Fi
- USB-C charging
Bluetooth 5.3 ensures a stable wireless performance, and the aforementioned multipoint pairing adds versatility. There’s no Wi-Fi support there, so this isn’t a smart speaker; that means no Alexa or Google voice assistant, or casting.
This is best thought of as a standalone device that plays what you send it, although you can pair with more Onyx Studio 9 speakers if you want simultaneous sound in more than one room.
For legacy audio sources, there’s a 3.5mm stereo minijack. A USB-C port is also available, not for audio, but for charging your smartphone. The Studio 9 moonlights as a power bank when required, which is a handy bonus.
Features
- Auracast compatible
- 7-band EQ on the app
- 8 hour battery life
The Studio 9 builds on a familiar formula, but does so with some significant refinements. Its key addition is a dedicated centre tweeter, creating a three-channel array that powers Harman Kardon’s new Constant Sound Field tech.
Multipoint Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity lets you pair two devices simultaneously, typically your phone and a tablet, however it doesn’t support Wi-Fi. Codec support is MP3.
That said, there is stereo pairing support. With a second Studio 9, you can create a proper left/right stereo setup. More ambitious still, four Studio 9 speakers can be wirelessly grouped together for a Party Mode. Throw in Auracast compliance and suddenly this model starts to look like a potential whole home audio solution, even without traditional Wi-Fi to rely upon.
The speaker can run off mains power or its internal 4722mAh battery. Expect around 8 hours of playback when fully charged.
Everything’s configurable through the Harman Kardon app (available on iOS and Android). Available audio presets comprise Signature Sound, Vocal, Energetic, Chill or Customise, which unlocks a 7-band EQ for those who like to tinker.
Sound Quality
- Energetic bass
- Recessed mid-range
- Copious volume
This speaker knows how to put on a performance. Bass hits with authority, highs are emphasised and there’s volume to spare. It’s exuberant, frivolous and fun. If you’re looking for Hi-Fi neutrality, this isn’t for you. But if you need a soundtrack for your next cocktail party, it’s definitely got you covered.
Cue Credence Clearwater Revival’s Bad Moon Rising. The rockabilly guitars froth across that tripe tweeter array, while the driving rhythm is anchored by the woofer. If the Studio 9 had toes, it would tap them.
I wouldn’t call this a refined enclosure. The speaker is undeniably tuned with a U-curve bias, boosted highs, rounded lows, and a somewhat recessed midrange. But the recipe favours far more than it fails.
Fed the chaos of Cha Cha Chaby Käärijä, the Studio 9 reveals its depth. The Eurovision banger pulses with synthetic muscle; yes, I pushed volume beyond decent, but the speaker never distorts or sounds stressed.
Ghost’s Satanized is a different beast. Here, galloping guitars surge forward, and while the sheer wall of sound can sometimes smear, Papa Perpetua’s preaching remains confidently centred. Not an analytical listening experience, but it is an exciting one.
So just how low can Onyx Studio 9 go? Audition Bad Guy and Bury a Friend; Billie Eilish’s subterranean grooves will convince you it goes very low indeed. Harman quotes 50Hz, and the Studio 9 takes full advantage.
Should you buy it?
If you want a bold, room-filling sound with appreciable low-end punch and plenty of sparkle up top, then the Studio 9 speaks your language. It’s great for listening to playlists over a bottle of wine, and has the potential to offer expanded sound if you invest in extra models for that Party Mode.
If you’re interested in smarts
If you need Wi-Fi, want to use AirPlay or expect voice assistance, the Onyx Studio 9 won’t serve your needs. You’ll probably be better off with a Sonos. If you’re after a portable sound system to take outside, it’s also best swerved, given its lack of water or dust resistance.
Final Thoughts
The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 is a cracking, relatively compact, lifestyle Bluetooth speaker that sounds bigger than its industrial design might suggest.
There are caveats, of course: it’s not for the outdoorsy (although you could treat it to some air on a summer’s day) or those looking for uncanny sonic balance. It favours fun over forensic detail. But for everyday listening, from pop to podcasts, it performs admirably, and it looks good doing it.
How We Test
We test every wireless speaker we review thoroughly over an extended period of time. We use industry standard tests to compare features properly. We’ll always tell you what we find. We never, ever, accept money to review a product.
Find out more about how we test in our ethics policy.
- Tested with real world use
- Tested for more than a week
FAQs
The Onyx Studio 9 prioritises style and bass-heavy audio over AI chatter and streaming integration. It’s more of a design-led music speaker than a smart home component.
You sure can, because it’s portable and can run for hours on its internal battery. But it’s not waterproof, so keep an eye on the weather…
Full Specs
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 Review | |
|---|---|
| UK RRP | £229 |
| USA RRP | $200 |
| AUD RRP | AU$360 |
| Manufacturer | Harman Kardon |
| IP rating | No |
| Battery Hours | 8 |
| Size (Dimensions) | 289 x 130 x 287 MM |
| Weight | 3.3 KG |
| ASIN | B0DMHLTDBX |
| Release Date | 2025 |
| Driver (s) | 120mm woofer, 3 x 20mm tweeter |
| Ports | Analogue 3.5mm |
| Audio (Power output) | 50 W |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Colours | Grey, Black |
| Frequency Range | 50 20000 – Hz |
| Audio Formats | MP3 |
