Harman Kardon Onyx 5 vs 6: Difference and Comparison

Harman Kardon is an Electronics Company in the U.S. that deals with audio equipment manufacturing. The company was established in 1953 by Sidney Harman and. Bernard Kardon, who were business partners.

Initially, Sidney Harman and Bernard Kardon were both involved with a different companies. Later, they resigned from there due to some issues and joined together to build a new company with a startup amount of $10000. That company came to be known as the Harman Kardon.

Early production of some high-quality products led to the strengthening of their business. They developed Integrated receivers, which provided remarkable outputs in a single unit.

With the retirement of Bernard Kardon in 1956, Sidney Harman became the Supreme head of the company. He was involved more in the making of Hi-Fi products.

Primarily producing audio equipment, the company manufactures Sound Sticks, Car audio, Computer speakers, Headsets and Smart speakers.

Harman Kardon has done a brilliant job in introducing numerous models of Bluetooth wireless speakers. Undoubtedly, their products come up with a tag of “never to disappoint”, which they maintain.

Key Takeaways

  1. The Harman Kardon Onyx 6 has a larger battery capacity and longer battery life than the Onyx 5.
  2. The Onyx 6 is also slightly heavier than the Onyx 5 and has a higher power output.
  3. Both speakers have features like Bluetooth connectivity, voice assistant integration, and a sleek design.

Harman Kardon Onyx 5 vs 6

Harmon Kardon Onyx 5 is a portable Bluetooth speaker that was launched in 2018 with a portable design, a LED light and is not waterproof. Harman Kardon Onyx 6 is a waterproof portable speaker that was released in 2020 and can be connected with Bluetooth. It has a light weight and is very loud.

Harman Kardon Onyx 5 vs 6

Comparison Table

Parameter of ComparisonOnyx 5Onyx 6
LaunchHarman Kardon Onyx 5 was launched in August 2018. Harman Kardon Onyx 6 was launched in June 2020.
WeightIt is a little heavier, weighing around 6.6 pounds. While it weighs around 6.4 pounds.
DesignThere is no cover for the ports. Whereas it has a port cover at the back.
Water-resistanceIt does not come with an IPX rating and is not water-proof. It comes with IPX7 Certificate; it can be submerged in 1ft of water for up to 30 minutes.
Sound OutputIt delivers a decent sound output. While it delivers a louder and more intense sound.
WooferThe woofer is 4.7-inch. Here, the woofer is 3 inches.
TweeterThe tweeter is 1 inch long.The tweeter is 0.75 inches long here.
PricingIt retails at a lower price.It is priced at a higher rate.

What is Onyx 5?

Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 is the fifth version of Harman’s series, released in August 2018. It is slightly different from the previous products of the Onyx series in terms of design.

The design is unique, with a handle on its top that addresses portability. It comes with three colour options, i.e., black, grey and blue.

The speaker has a LED light that informs when the battery goes down. It delivers a satisfying sound output with a frequency from 50Hz to 20kHz.

Coming to connectivity, the speaker has a 4.2 version of Bluetooth. It does not support the NFC pairing feature.

Despite all these features, the device lacks the water-resistant feature and has no built-in microphone. This might be a drawback as all other devices nowadays have these features.

What is Onyx 6?

Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 is an updated version of the Onyx 5. It was released in June 2020.

The design is also similar; a circle-shaped speaker with a top handle. Along with the blue variant, the grey variant of Onyx 6 also has a bronze handle.

The main upgrade in the Onyx Studio 6 is the water-resistance feature. It comes with an IPX rating with the ability to remain submerged in 1ft of water for up to 30 minutes.

Other specifications, including connectivity, frequency range, battery etc., are the same as in the Onyx Studio 5. Onyx 6 delivers a louder and more intense sound output than the former.

Surprisingly, the Onyx 6 weighs slightly less than the Onyx 5, even after all these similarities. It does not differ from its predecessor to a bigger extent.

Main Differences Between Harman Kardon Onyx 5 and 6

  1. Onyx Studio 5 is a little heavier than Onyx 6.
  2. Only the Onyx 6 comes with a cover for the ports.
  3. Onyx 6 is water-resistant, while Onyx 5 is not.
  4. The sound output in Onyx 6 is better.
  5. Onyx 5 costs less than Onyx 6.
References
  1. https://books.google.co.in/books?hl=en&lr=&id=914FDgAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT66&dq=info:2PexlyPl7iQJ:scholar.google.com/&ots=wJu7_bpGoB&sig=eVRlT28q434__EGWJQznatZ7UEA&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false

Last Updated : 11 June, 2023

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19 thoughts on “Harman Kardon Onyx 5 vs 6: Difference and Comparison”

  1. The detailed comparison table provides a clear breakdown of the differences between Onyx 5 and 6. The water-resistance feature in Onyx 6 is a game-changer for outdoor use.

    Reply
  2. The evolution of Harman Kardon’s Onyx series is impressive. Looking forward to seeing what improvements they bring in future versions.

    Reply
  3. The comparison between Onyx 5 & 6 is great. It provides an insightful analysis of the differences and new features of the updated version.

    Reply
  4. The article provides a comprehensive overview of the differences and similarities between Onyx 5 and 6. It helps buyers decide which version aligns better with their preferences.

    Reply
    • I think the comparison is well-presented, but the differences between the two versions are too insignificant to justify the upgrade.

      Reply
    • I beg to differ. The added water-resistance in Onyx 6 could be crucial for many users, especially those who use the speaker outdoors.

      Reply
  5. Harman Kardon has managed to maintain its reputation for producing high-quality audio equipment over the years. The differentiation between Onyx 5 and 6 is quite intriguing.

    Reply
  6. The detailed comparison between Onyx 5 and 6 is quite informative for potential buyers. It helps in making an informed decision based on the specific features one might be interested in.

    Reply
    • I find the comparison a bit excessive. The minor differences between the two models might not matter much to the average consumer.

      Reply
  7. The history and development of Harman Kardon are very interesting. It’s fascinating to learn how much the company has advanced since it started.

    Reply
  8. The evolution of Onyx 5 to Onyx 6 shows Harman Kardon’s commitment to enhancing user experience. The added water-resistance feature in Onyx 6 is a welcome addition.

    Reply

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