Harman Kardon has made a name for themselves, with the Onyx Studio 3 and the Onyx Studio 4 as two of their top-rated speakers. They seem like the same product initially, but digging deeper reveals important differences.
If you can’t decide between the Harmon Kardon Onyx Studio 3 vs 4, our experts’ extensive testing should help you out.
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 3 and 4 Comparison
- 5 hours of playtime
- Rechargeable battery
- Compatible with dual sound speakers
- Noise/echo cancelling technology
- 8 hours of playtime
- Rechargeable battery
- Bluetooth streaming up to 2 devices
- Can access Siri and Google
Features of Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 3 and 4
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 3 and 4 Build Design
The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 3 and 4 both have the same design. Unlike the usual cabinet-like design of Elac B5 or B6, they feature an oval disk-like shape with two stands behind that makes it possible for the devices to stand upright. The control buttons are well-placed on the curve that it almost looks like there are no buttons. The buttons also light up when you’re using the devices.
An interesting thing about the design is the Harman/Kardon logo on the back. It actually moves to the bass effect of the songs you play. And there is a clef at the back of both devices for you to carry them conveniently. The Onyx Studio 3 and 4 are both exquisitely designed with top quality fabric and finishes to complement any style.
Sound Quality
Sound Quality is next up in the Harmon Kardon Onyx Studio 3 vs 4 battle. Both devices are equipped with two 75mm woofers and two 20mm tweeters and are built with quad drivers and dual passive radiators that make for an outstanding audio experience.
During our tests, the Onyx Studio 4 gave an all-rounded experience. It has a clear, rich sound, the highs and lows are pretty good like Logitech Z407 producing very clear audio across the room. The Onyx Studio 3 provided a similar experience, but it lacks a bit in the bass.
When watching movies or playing music at high volumes, there is little to no distortion from both speakers; they maintain their sound quality.
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 3 and 4 Battery
Seeing as the Onyx Studio 3 and 4 are both Bluetooth devices, they need the right amount of battery power to keep the music going. The Onyx Studio 3 is embedded with a 3.7V/2600mAh rechargeable Lithium-ion battery. This affords you up to 5 hours of playtime, depending on your music content and volume levels.
The Onyx Studio 4, however, comes with a 3.7V/3000mAh rechargeable Lithium-ion battery. So you could use the device for up to 8 hours, but that also depends on music content and the volume. It would take 5 hours of charging time to get the Onyx Studio 4 fully charged. Our team of experts compared the Harmon Kardon Onyx Studio 4 vs 3, and in terms of battery life, the Onyx Studio 4 is a better product.
In terms of battery life, here are the best Bluetooth speakers under 200 that can also compare to Onyx Studio 3 and 4.
Connectivity
Both speakers have Bluetooth connectivity similar to JBL Flip 4 and Charge 3. The Onyx Studio 3 uses the Bluetooth 4.1 version and features Bluetooth streaming that allows up to 3 smart devices to connect at the same time and take turns playing music. Two Harman Kardon Wireless Dual Sound enabled speakers can be connected to boost your experience.
Read Next: Harman Kardon vs. JBL
Meanwhile, the Onyx Studio has 4 Bluetooth 4.2 and the Wireless Dual Sound feature too. There is also an AUX port to give you more connectivity options.
What makes the Onyx 4 stand out in this aspect are its HK Connect+ and Voice integration [1] features. Similar to the Wireless Dual Sound feature, HK Connect+ makes the Onyx 4 capable of connecting to more than 100 HK Connect+ enabled speakers.
Voice integration means that you can access Siri or Google Now at the push of a button, a feature present with other models like UE Boom 2 vs JBL Flip 4.
FAQ
What is the difference between the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 3 and 4?
The difference between the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 3 and 4 is that the latter has a better battery life and more connectivity options. The Onyx Studio 3 uses Bluetooth 4.1, while the Onyx Studio 4 uses Bluetooth 4.2.
Does the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 3 have HK Connect+?
No, the Onyx Studio 3 does not have HK Connect+, but its Wireless Dual Sound and Bluetooth streaming feature give you a wide range of options.
Overall Winner: Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4
Onyx Studio 4 has a better sound quality than the Onyx Studio 3, especially with its ability to handle low bass notes. With its better 3000mAh battery, you’ll enjoy more playtime of up to 8 hours. The Studio 4 also provides better connectivity, HK Connect +, and Wireless Dual Sound to connect up to 3 smart devices at once. You can also access Siri or your Google Companion at the push of a button.
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