Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 2 Review [Pros & Cons 2025]
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 2 Review Great Looks And Incredible SoundGone are the days when buying speakers or a speaker system meant that you needed the necessar...
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 2 Review Great Looks And Incredible Sound
Gone are the days when buying speakers or a speaker system meant that you needed the necessary space and budget not to forget cumbersome wires that you had to deal with. Fast forward to the current day where technology has advanced so much that speakers have shrunk in size to a palm size or a desktop model that is both space-saving and pocket-friendly. The introduction of the Bluetooth technology has further improved the music listening experience with its wireless convenience.
A small size and a wire-free technology are not the only two factors that have pushed people into buying Bluetooth speakers. These speakers are also able to produce incredible sound despite their small profile. There are many Bluetooth speaker systems on the market and finding the right one can be time-consuming and frustrating, to say the least. If you also have a limited budget, then it only makes it even more challenging.
Don't you worry as we have handpicked the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 2 which is an affordable speaker system that will blow your mind with its impressive sound. Read our detailed review below to find out if this will be the right one for your requirements.
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 2 Specs
- Powerful sound with 4 channel speakers
- Bluetooth version 3.0 for reliable connectivity
- Ability to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously
- Rechargeable battery with a good play time of 5 to 6 hours
- Built-in microphone ideal for conference calls
Is The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 2 The Best Bluetooth Speaker?
The Onyx Studio 2 is a new and improved version of the Studio Onyx. The Studio Onyx was handicapped due to the absence of an aux port. But this shortcoming has been taken care of in the Studio 2 which has the aux port for wired connectivity when you don't want to use the Bluetooth feature.
From an incredible sound output to a powerful bass to a long playtime and more, the Studio 2 is full of features for its price point. Its sophisticated looks match the quality of the sound produced and will make a great addition to your interior dcor.
Below we have teased the features of this good-looking and great-sounding Bluetooth sound speaker system. This will give you a fair idea of its capabilities and help you make an informed choice.
Impressive Sound
Source: youtube.com
There are four 15W speakers that work together to give you an incredible sound experience. Behind the fabric, grilles is two 3 woofers and two 0.75 tweeters.
The mids are crisp and soulful and do not lose their clarity at any volume level. The radiator at the back ensures that your bass gives you the desired boom effect. In fact, you can see the thumping on them as you play your favorite music and this is what takes the vibration off the device and keeps it stable. Adding to the stability are also the rubber tips on the metal legs.
The highs are not as impressive as the lows and the mids, but they balance everything well to give you a good overall sound. Live music performances sound so good that you feel as if the singer and the orchestra are with you in the room. You can even hear the tiniest of sounds thereby elevating your music listening experience to another level.
Design
The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 2 has an aesthetically pleasing design that will add to the dcor of your home or office. It is a disc-shaped speaker that is 11 inches in diameter. There are two metal legs on the back that come with a bronze finish and end with black tips for added elegance.
These metal legs on the back let the speaker stand with a slight backward slant making it a great centerpiece for any room. The backward tilt also helps in throwing the sound upwards. This is a very thoughtful feature considering the fact that these speakers may be placed on desks or tables. The sound is therefore well distributed around the room for a fuller and satisfying sound experience.
The front resembles a regular speaker with a fabric grille which gives it a very sophisticated and clean look. There is quite some detail on the back too with a rubber passive radiator that is adorned with a metal disc carrying the Harman Kardon logo. The back comes with a textured matte finish to protect the speaker from scratches and fingerprint marks. There is also a deep groove on the top which serves as a handle to easily move the speakers around your house.
Bluetooth 3.0
The Studio 2 uses the Bluetooth interface version 3.0 to connect to Bluetooth enabled smartphone, tablets and more. Even though version 3.0 is the not the latest it is very reliable and what with a good Bluetooth range you will never have to put up with dropped signals or choppy music.
But the best part about the Bluetooth feature is that you can connect up to 2 devices simultaneously. So you and your friend can connect your smartphones at the same time and take turns playing your favorite music without going through the pairing process every time.
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Controls
All the controls are placed on the rim of the Studio 2 which is a rubber strip going around the full width of the speaker. On the upper right of the speaker is the power button which you will need to long press a couple of seconds to turn the speakers on or off.On the top left are the Bluetooth and the call answer buttons.You can turn off the Bluetooth function if you are using the aux cable to connect to older devices.
Connectivity
The connecting ports are placed at the back of the speaker right in between the two metal legs. There is a 3.5mm aux port for wire connectivity using an aux cable. You can use the port to connect your speakers to non-Bluetooth devices too. There is also a micro USB port for both charging your Bluetooth speakers using the micro USB charging cable and for firmware updates.
In addition to the aux and the micro USB ports, there is also a power port. This port is specifically designed for use with a proprietary charger that can be plugged into a wall socket.
Volume Level
The Studio 2 is really loud for its size and can easily fill up a large room with its rich sound. Not only is it really loud, it maintains the clarity and gives you distortion-free music even when you crank up the volume to the maximum level. This is definitely a plus if you like to listen to really loud music.
Speakerphone
Source: neogaf.com
Even though many Bluetooth speakers come with the call answer feature, the Studio 2 makes for a great conference call speaker owing to its design. It uses Voice-Logic echo technology and noise cancellation system to give you crystal clear audio for conference calls. The microphone is very powerful and can pick up voices even from a distance. Hence both the caller and the receiver are able to enjoy loud and clear calls.
Rechargeable Battery
When you want portability in your music system, it only makes sense to have a rechargeable battery in place to enjoy music on the go as you don't want to be frequently changing batteries. The Studio 2 is equipped with an inbuilt2600mAh, Lithium-ion battery that once fully charged lets you listen up to 5 or 6 hours of music at one go.
The only downside is that there is no battery level indicator to let you know when it is time to recharge your battery. The same way there is no indicator that will tell you if the battery has been sufficiently charged.
Pros
- Powerful bass sound with no distortion even at max volume
- Built-in rechargeable battery for hassle-free power
- Aux input for wired connectivity and use with non-Bluetooth devices
- A great design that adds to the dcor of your home
Cons
- The design is a bit bulky and may not be as portable as some very compact models
- Does not have a battery indicator
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Conclusion
The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 2 is a great music system that you can use in a permanently wired set-up with the power plugged in. As it has such a beautiful design it will make for a great showpiece in your living room or bedroom.
It also comes with Bluetooth connectivity for wire-free operation and lets you take your music with you anywhere inside or outside your home. A rechargeable battery further adds to its portability. It produces incredible sound output with an impressive bass due to the radiator that gives the needed thump.
The mids are nice and crisp too with good highs giving an overall sound that is clear and rich. You can even blast music at full volume and the Studio 2 will not give you any distortion. It is not without a reason that these speakers have some rave customer reviews and are one of the top-selling models.
All in all, the Studio 2 is an excellent sound system that comes with an affordable price tag and great looks. Go get one yourself and get ready for a great sound experience.
Resources
- https://www.harmankardon.com/award-winners/ONYX+STUDIO+2.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth#Bluetooth_3.0_.2B_HS
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passive_radiator_(speaker)
- https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/bluetooth.htm
- https://www.howtogeek.com/214185/beginner-geek-how-to-pair-devices-over-bluetooth/
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Editorial Team
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EditorialTeam at The Great Device is a passionate group of tech enthusiasts, writers, and industry experts dedicated to bringing you the latest news, in-depth reviews, and insightful guides on all things tech. Our mission is to help you make informed decisions by providing clear, trustworthy, and up-to-date information. From gadgets and devices to software and innovations, EditorialTeam ensures you stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of technology.