
Bose and Harman Kardon have been a part of the audio industry for years. In fact, both brands produce some phenomenal products that continue to give their fans great options in Bluetooth technology as well. Bluetooth speakers have become a popular choice for music lovers looking for a portable and convenient listening experience. The two leading brands in the Bluetooth speaker market are Bose and Harman Kardon, so it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you. today, we will compare the two brands and their most popular Bluetooth speakers to help you make the best decision for your needs.
Model | ||
Height | 6″ | 11.2″ |
Width | 3.2″ | 11.5″ |
Depth | 3.2″ | 5″ |
Weight | 1.5 lbs | 6.6 lbs |
Water Resistance | IPX4 | None |
Colors | 2 | 3 |
Handle | No | Yes |
Microphone | Yes | No |
Transducers | Single full range | Tweeter and woofer |
Voice Control | Yes | No |
Battery Life | 12 hours | 8 hours |
Wireless Range | 30 feet | 30 feet |
Design
The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 is not a portable Bluetooth speaker. It weighs around four times more than the Bose SoundLink Revolve, so you won’t be taking this on your trips too often. The aluminum handle is a nice touch and it definitely makes for an improvement over the previous model. but, this heavyweight means that you’ll probably want to put it on the table at home, not really ideal to bring it on the go.
It is proudly displayed with an elegant fabric material that gives it not only the chance to look good from every angle, but also feel great when you touch it. With its sleek and modern design, it’s clear that this product is meant for people who care about its looks. You can tell this product was designed with quality in mind, even though it’s much more affordable than the Bose Soundlink Revolve.
The SoundLink Revolve is a sleek and portable Bluetooth speaker that can survive being splashed with water, but it’s not fully waterproof so you’ll have to take care when taking this device out into certain conditions like the pool. It’s a plus if you want to take this speaker with you on your outdoor adventures. It can be hooked into any tripod or other mounting device for stability with a threaded universal mount underneath, so there is no need to worry about being without music when camping.
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Setup and Controls
The Bose SoundLink Revolve is a Bluetooth speaker that has been specifically designed to be used with your phone. It includes an extra multi-function button on its top lid, which can either let you access Siri or Google Assistant when pressed lightly, answering calls if needed too, while both have all control buttons on their top. You can use the microphone on it as speakerphone functionality, and your voice will come through over music. The SoundLink Revolve may not be a true smart speaker, but it does make the device more appealing for tech-friendly households.
the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 is designed with control buttons in front that make it look more stylish while the little light tells you the power is available. Most people will mistake it for a fancy ornament instead of a speaker from a distance because of the beautiful and unique design.
The feature that makes the Bose SoundLink Revolve stand out from the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 is the built-in application. with the Revolve to your phone’s Bose Music app you can easily change the input source between the Bluetooth devices that it’s connecting and allows you to set up the music mode such as Stereo or Party. SoundLink Revolve is designed to pair with other SoundLink Revolve devices to have actual stereo sound if you need a real party atmosphere.
when it comes to the Onyx Studio 5, it’s a loser about features. it does not come with any mobile app controls while it only allows you to pair with another Onyx Studio 5 without stereo output, they only sync and work together, maybe the louder sound is what you get.
Sound Quality
Talking about the sound quality of these two speakers, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 takes advantage because it has a more bass-heavy speaker, when you adjust this speaker At low volumes you can easily get boosted bass while midrange and high-ends remain clear, and flat. When you play a louder sound, it will reduce the bass slightly, but it’s still overbearing a little bit with some specific kinds of music. if you are a big fan of modern music such as pop, hip-hop, dance music, etc. it will provide you with a powerful booming sound, but when you play music with more instrumentation maybe it disappoints you a bit.
The difference in sound quality between both is the woofer and tweeter combo, the built-in with the Onyx Studio 5 makes it outmuscles from the Bose SoundLink Revolve in full range. while the lack of raw power that is filled up with more depth and clarity sounds in overall. you can adjust the sound for clear distinct instruments and voices while increasing the rich crispness of tones, at the high volume also. The low-end is powerful despite its tiny size. It works with all the best to fill up your room with omnidirectional sound which provides you with an interesting experience.
The Onyx Studio 5 comes with the mono sound so it can be in competition with the Bose SoundLink Revolve stereo sound when it is paired with another SoundLink speaker. Even though in most cases people tend to buy one, Investing in a good pair of speakers is one way to make your home sound amazing. Pair them with some high-quality headphones and you’ll be able to create the perfect atmosphere for any occasion.
Battery Life
When talking about battery, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5’s battery life is disappointing at only 8 hours when played at 40-50% volume, it decreases half of the time in maximum volume. The Bose SoundLink Revolve is a more powerful and longer-lasting speaker than the rest. It can last up to 12 hours on one charge, which makes it great for long day camping when you want your music with you throughout each hour.
The SoundLink Revolve is a much faster charge than the Onyx Studio 5. It takes only 3-4 hours to reach full capacity, as opposed to 5 hours for its competitor. Bose’s SoundLink II is a heavy-duty speaker with impressive battery life, If you plan on taking your speakers outside or if they won’t be constantly connected. but they are the same if you use both at home where power is available in connection.
FAQs - Bose vs Harman Kardon Bluetooth Speakers (2023)
Is Harman Kardon a good brand?
Harman International manufactures speakers and soundbars known for their excellent build quality. If you have an ASUS, Dell, or Lenovo laptop it’s possible that these were made by Harman Kardon too.
Are JBL and Harman Kardon the same?
Harman International owns a variety of brands that are all known for their high-quality audio equipment. They include Crown Amplifiers and AKG, two companies involved in making speakers as well sound systems to go along with them. so JBL and Harman Kardon are not the same brands.
Are Bose headphones and speakers made in America?
The headquarter for Bose is located in Massachusetts, but it also has manufacturing facilities across the US and abroad. For example Malaysia, China, and Mexico.
What is the best Bose speaker?
This Bose SoundLink Revolve is the best portable speaker. It has a 360-degree sound that provides a great sound quality.
Verdict
The Bose SoundLink Revolve is a portable Bluetooth speaker that can be easily carried in your pocket or bag. It’s built with water-resistant construction and features grip-friendly texture, and This speaker is designed with a top and bottom shock absorption bumper, making it the superior choice for outdoor use. Despite the cost of Onyx 5 at double the competitor but it provides a better sound quality while battery life is longer too, these features make it worth the price.
You’ll save quite a bit and still end with arguably the more premium-looking device. Just remember that it’s going to be heavy carrying it around for too long, and you’d want to save some battery life by sticking to the middle volumes. Save some money and still have what many would consider the more premium-looking device. Remember that it will be heavier to carry around for longer periods, and keep your volumes in the middle range if you want that battery life saved for a longer experience.