TL;DR
Harman/Kardon's Onyx Studio 9 is a significant upgrade, building on a decade of evolution. It boasts a refined, more compact design with enhanced build quality and a 45% bigger battery for faster charging, though playtime remains around 8 hours. Key advancements include Bluetooth 5.3 and Auracast for multi-speaker synchronization, a feature missing in its predecessor. Sonically, the Studio 9 delivers a more dynamic, spacious soundstage with crisper treble and deeper bass, effortlessly filling large rooms without distortion. While not waterproof or ultra-portable, it's an exceptional home audio solution for those prioritizing sound quality and aesthetics. Discover if this premium speaker lives up to its promise.
The Onyx Studio 9 from Harman/Kardon clearly demonstrates the company’s commitment to evolving an established concept into a superior product. The launch of the original Onyx Studio in 2014 established a strong foundation, and its subsequent regular use offered valuable long-term insights. This personal history naturally sparked keen interest in evaluating the advancements introduced with the Onyx Studio 9.
Battery and Flexibility
The latest iteration introduces substantial improvements over the original, particularly in sonic performance and key features. A significant enhancement in the Onyx Studio 9 is its integrated battery, which enables untethered operation and greater placement flexibility. For a focused analysis, this review will primarily compare the Onyx Studio 9 with its immediate predecessor, the Onyx Studio 8.
Design and Construction
The Studio 9 presents a refined design, featuring a slightly more compact and lighter construction than the Studio 8, alongside enhanced material quality and a more polished finish. Battery capacity has seen an approximate increase of 45 percent. While maintaining a comparable eight hours of playback, this improvement notably contributes to a significantly shorter charging time.
Technology and Features
The Studio 9 is equipped with Bluetooth 5.3, which offers improved range and stability. Furthermore, it supports Auracast, enabling synchronized playback between multiple compatible speakers — a feature the Studio 8 lacks.
Sound Experience
Sonically, the Studio 9 offers a broader and more dynamic soundstage with improved frequency separation. The treble is clearer and the bass is deeper than the Studio 8, making the Studio 9 more suitable for larger rooms and demanding listeners.
During testing, the Onyx Studio 9 was positioned in a living room, where it effortlessly filled an approximately 120 sqm space with rich audio. A rigorous evaluation at maximum volume revealed no discernible distortion or unwanted noise, underscoring the remarkable sonic performance delivered by this comparatively compact speaker.
The capability to connect two or more Onyx Studio 9 speakers allows for synchronized audio across expansive areas, suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments. However, it is important to note that the Onyx Studio 9 is not waterproof, limiting its suitability for environments like beaches. Its substantial size also precludes it from being considered an ultra-portable device for everyday carrying. Instead, its design prioritizes exceptional audio fidelity and aesthetic appeal for sheltered placements.
In summary, the Onyx Studio 9 stands out as a highly recommended audio solution for those seeking superior sound reproduction within a home environment. Its profound bass and distinct frequency registers make it a compelling option. Additionally, it boasts a discreet design, offered in a selection of colors.
Priced at approximately 4000 SEK, the Onyx Studio 9 may appear to be a significant investment. However, evaluating its comprehensive value proposition, which encompasses exceptional sound quality and versatile functionality, it represents a justified expenditure.
Harman Kardon provided a review unit for this test. The sender of the material has no editorial influence on our tests; we always write independently, with our readers and consumers as our focus.
