Welcome to our in-depth review of the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7, a portable Bluetooth speaker that promises true sound immersion. In this article, we will explore its design, audio performance, connectivity options, pricing, and alternatives. If you’re considering the Onyx Studio 7 for your audio needs, read on to find out if it lives up to the hype.
Key Takeaways:
- The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 delivers powerful bass but lacks EQ adjustment and water-resistance.
- Its unique design features a ring-like handle that doubles as a stand, making it visually appealing.
- The audio performance of the Onyx Studio 7 impresses with well-balanced bass and clear vocals.
- It supports Bluetooth 4.2 but lacks compatibility with higher-fidelity Bluetooth codecs like AAC and AptX.
- At a price of $479.95, there are better alternatives available with more features at a lower cost.
Design and Features
The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 is not only known for its powerful audio performance but also for its unique and visually appealing design. Inspired by the planet Saturn, this portable Bluetooth speaker stands out from the crowd with its round body and distinctive ring-like handle that doubles as a convenient stand. Available in black, blue, or white cloth grilles, it adds a touch of elegance to any room.
Whether you’re hosting a party or enjoying some quiet time alone, the Onyx Studio 7 offers convenient push-button controls for Bluetooth pairing, power, playback, and volume adjustment. The intuitive interface allows for easy operation, letting you focus on enjoying your favorite tunes without any hassle.
One of the downsides of the Onyx Studio 7 is its lack of water-resistance, meaning it may not be the ideal choice for outdoor activities or poolside parties. However, its robust construction and attention to detail make it perfect for in-room use, providing a powerful sound experience wherever you go.
Equipped with dual tweeters and a woofer, the Onyx Studio 7 delivers a total output of 50 watts, ensuring rich and immersive sound. Its frequency range of 50Hz to 20kHz covers a wide spectrum of sound, allowing you to hear every detail and enjoy your music to the fullest.
Now, let’s take a closer look at the design and features of the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 with the help of the following table:
| Design | Features |
|---|---|
| Rounded body with Saturn-inspired design | Powerful 50-watt output |
| Ring-like handle that doubles as a stand | Dual tweeters and a woofer for immersive sound |
| Available in black, blue, or white cloth grilles | Frequency range of 50Hz to 20kHz |
| Intuitive buttons for Bluetooth, power, playback, and volume control | – |
| Not water-resistant | – |
As you can see from the table and the image above, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 combines style and substance, providing a visually captivating speaker with powerful audio capabilities. While its lack of water-resistance may limit its outdoor use, its unique design and impressive sound quality make it an excellent choice for indoor entertainment and gatherings.
Audio Performance
The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 excels in its audio performance, particularly in terms of bass. It delivers powerful and well-balanced bass, making it an ideal choice for genres like electronic and hip-hop. The speaker also impresses with its ability to reproduce vocals and higher-frequency instruments, providing a clear and defined sound that enhances the listening experience.
Unfortunately, the Onyx Studio 7 falls short when it comes to supporting higher-fidelity Bluetooth codecs. It only supports the SBC codec, limiting its ability to deliver the highest quality audio. Despite this drawback, the speaker still produces impressive sound quality across a wide range of frequencies.
“The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 delivers powerful and well-balanced bass, making it an ideal choice for genres like electronic and hip-hop.”
In terms of battery life, the Onyx Studio 7 offers approximately eight hours of playtime. However, keep in mind that this may vary depending on the volume levels and usage patterns. For extended listening sessions, it’s recommended to have a power source nearby or consider using the speaker in close proximity to a power outlet.
Overall, the audio performance of the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 is impressive, especially in the realm of bass. While it may lack support for higher-fidelity Bluetooth codecs, it still delivers a captivating audio experience that will satisfy most music enthusiasts.
Connectivity and Compatibility
The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 offers a range of connectivity options, allowing you to enjoy your music wirelessly or via wired connections. It is compatible with Bluetooth 4.2 and supports the A2DP and AVRCP Bluetooth profiles, ensuring a seamless connection with your devices. Whether you’re using a smartphone, tablet, or laptop, the Onyx Studio 7 will pair effortlessly and deliver high-quality audio.
One standout feature of the Onyx Studio 7 is its ability to wirelessly connect with another Onyx Studio 7, creating a stereo pair for an immersive audio experience. This feature allows you to enjoy true stereo sound, bringing your music to life with enhanced depth and separation.
While the Onyx Studio 7 offers excellent wireless connectivity, it’s important to note that it does not support higher-fidelity Bluetooth codecs like AAC and AptX. This means that you may not get the highest quality audio when streaming from devices that support these codecs. However, the Onyx Studio 7 still delivers impressive sound quality with its default SBC codec, ensuring an enjoyable listening experience.
In addition to wireless connectivity, the Onyx Studio 7 also provides a 3.5mm aux input for wired connections. This allows you to connect devices that don’t support Bluetooth or if you prefer a wired connection for higher audio fidelity. Unfortunately, the speaker does not come with an aux cable included, which can be a drawback considering its price point.
Last but not least, the Onyx Studio 7 features a convenient USB-C port for service, allowing you to update the speaker’s firmware and potentially unlock new features or enhancements in the future.
Compatibility Overview:
| Connectivity | Compatibility |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 4.2, A2DP, AVRCP |
| Wireless Pairing | Onyx Studio 7 Stereo Pairing |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Wired Connection | 3.5mm Aux Input |
| Service Port | USB-C |
Despite not supporting higher-fidelity Bluetooth codecs, the Onyx Studio 7’s versatile connectivity options make it a great choice for enjoying music wirelessly or through wired connections, ensuring you have flexibility in how you listen to your favorite tunes.
Pricing and Alternatives
When considering the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7, it’s essential to evaluate its pricing in comparison to other available options. With a price tag of $479.95, some may find it to be on the higher side, especially when there are speakers offering similar or even superior features at a lower price point.
“The Onyx Studio 7 provides solid sound quality and powerful bass, but there are alternatives that offer better value for the money,”
If you’re looking for alternative options that provide better features and comparable or even better audio performance, consider the JBL Xtreme3 and Sony SRS-XB43. These speakers not only offer more features but also deliver excellent sound quality that rivals or surpasses the Onyx Studio 7.
Another alternative worth considering is the Bang & Olufsen Beolit 20. This design-centric speaker offers a unique aesthetic appeal and premium build quality. However, it comes at a higher price, making it a choice for those who prioritize design and are willing to invest more.
Comparison of Pricing and Features
| Speaker | Price | Features | Audio Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 | $479.95 | Powerful bass, unique design, lacking features (EQ adjustment, water-resistance) | Impressive bass, clear sound, limited Bluetooth codec support |
| JBL Xtreme3 | $299.95 | Powerful bass, waterproof, multiple connectivity options | Rich and balanced sound, supports higher-fidelity Bluetooth codecs |
| Sony SRS-XB43 | $249.99 | Extra bass, water-resistant, party-friendly features | Clear and dynamic sound, supports LDAC Bluetooth codec |
| Bang & Olufsen Beolit 20 | $599 | Premium design, USB-C charging, room-filling sound | Highly detailed audio, wide soundstage |
Conclusion
After thoroughly reviewing the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7, it is clear that this portable Bluetooth speaker offers a visually appealing design with powerful bass and impressive audio performance. The speaker delivers deep, well-balanced bass, making it ideal for genres like electronic and hip-hop. The vocals and higher-frequency instruments are also reproduced with clarity and definition.
However, the Onyx Studio 7 falls short when it comes to features and value for the price. It lacks EQ adjustment, which limits the ability to customize the sound according to personal preferences. The outdated Bluetooth codec support restricts the speaker’s compatibility with higher-fidelity codecs, resulting in potential audio quality loss. Additionally, the absence of water-resistance makes it less suitable for outdoor use or near water sources.
While the unique design and solid audio quality may attract some consumers, it is important to consider other alternatives in the market. There are speakers available at lower price points that offer similar or better features, including EQ adjustment, support for higher-fidelity Bluetooth codecs, and water-resistance. It is worth exploring options like the JBL Xtreme3 and Sony SRS-XB43, which provide better value for money without compromising on audio performance.
In conclusion, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 is a worthy consideration for those seeking a visually appealing Bluetooth speaker with powerful bass. However, for a more comprehensive and feature-rich experience at a competitive price, it is advisable to explore other alternatives in the market.
FAQ
Does the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 have water-resistance?
No, the Onyx Studio 7 does not have a water-resistance rating.
What Bluetooth codecs does the Onyx Studio 7 support?
The Onyx Studio 7 only supports the SBC Bluetooth codec and does not support higher-fidelity codecs like AAC or AptX.
Can I connect multiple Onyx Studio 7 speakers together?
Yes, the Onyx Studio 7 has the ability to wirelessly connect with another Onyx Studio 7 to form a stereo pair.
How long does the battery of the Onyx Studio 7 last?
The Onyx Studio 7 has a battery life of approximately eight hours, but the actual duration may vary depending on the volume levels.
Does the Onyx Studio 7 come with an aux cable?
No, the Onyx Studio 7 does not come with an aux cable for the input.
Are there any alternatives to the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7?
Yes, alternatives like the JBL Xtreme3 and Sony SRS-XB43 offer better value for the money with more features and similar or better audio performance. The Bang & Olufsen Beolit 20 is another option for those looking for a design-centric speaker, though it comes at a higher price.