Summary – Onyx Studio 3 by Harman Kardon
The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 3 is easily one of the best Bluetooth speakers in terms of sound performance. The entire speaker comes with a dedicated 2 x 75mm tweeter and 2 x 20mm tweeter system that produces up to a whopping 60W of power when connected to a power outlet, and up to 30W of power when running on battery power. The Onyx Studio 3 can connect to almost any wireless device and also comes equipped with Bluetooth 4.1 technology with transmitter modulation for a smoother and steadier audio transmission. The battery life on this speaker is a good 5 hours of continuous playtime with its integrated rechargeable battery. The good thing about the Oynx Studio 3 is that it can pair with another Oynx Studio 3 for dual sound performance – this is especially useful if you need a bigger soundstage in an open environment. It also comes equipped with a microphone for you to make hands free calls with the speaker and is also equipped with noise and echo cancellation technology. It’s a Bluetooth speaker that really delivers in terms of sound performance and has a very good aesthetic appeal with an exquisite design.
The Pros & Cons
The Pros. Excellent sound performance, with very good bass response and crisp highs. The sound performance on the Onyx Studio 3 is nearly theatre-like, with deep frequency response and stunning vocal reproduction that makes watching movies or streaming music a very enjoyable experience. The Onyx Studio 3 is also portable and can be easily transported around which is a definite added plus. You can also pair up to two Onyx Studio 3s together to create a much wider soundstage.
The Cons. The Onyx Studio 3 has an average battery life span of 4 to 5 hours depending on the volume. This is in part due to the powerful acoustic drivers that can run up to 30Ws on battery power. It is also relatively more expensive when compared to other portable Bluetooth speakers.
Sound Performance
We loved the sound quality of the Onyx Studio 3 straight out of the box. The entire speaker produces a good 60W of pure power when connected to a power outlet, which gives plenty of sound that can easily fill up a large room or outdoor backyard with ease. The sound performance of the Onyx Studio 3 is phenomenal – the highs and midrange are crisp, clear and detailed, and the sound had depth and a level of sophistication that is usually only present with higher-end speakers. The bass response on the Onyx Studio 3 is powerful and impactful, and you can really feel the bass reverberate through the room while playing your favorite music or watching movies. This is enhanced by the dual passive radiators which enhance the clarity and the impact of the low end frequency – grenade explosions in an Avengers movies sounded stunning and impactful. It does feel like the Onyx Studio 3 speaker was built like a mini home theatre sound system, except that it is portable and has wireless connectivity included. If you are looking for one of the best wireless speakers that produce home-theatre like sound, the Onyx Studio 3 definitely comes close.
Design
The exterior design of the Onyx Studio 3 is sleek and modern, and fits very well into almost any home setting – the speaker is built to stand on its ‘legs’ which looks pretty cool after setting it up. The speaker exterior is crafted with high-end materials and aluminium, which compliments and blends into most rooms easily. We also liked the unique oval shape appearance of this speaker and we recommend purchasing an additional carrying case for you to take it on the go due to its slightly bulkier size. The speaker comes with the standard power cord for you to charge it when plugged into an electrical outlet. Do note that due to power constraints, the Studio 3 speaker will play at 30 Watts when running on battery life and 60 Watts when connected to an electrical outlet. The battery life provides a nice 5 hours of playtime at medium volume, but do expect faster battery depletion at higher or maximum volume.
Bluetooth Performance
The wireless Bluetooth range on the Studio 3 is a good 30 – 35 feet and we did not experience any performance dips while using the wireless connection. The sound quality was also very good while using the wireless connection and there was no noticeable drop in sound quality while streaming music. The microphone feature on this speaker also sounds clear and you can take hands free calls without any issues. The great thing about the Oynx Studio 3 is that you can pair two Studio 3s together via wireless connection for a much larger, synchronised sound that is perfect for larger parties or multi-room listening.
The Verdict?
We have no doubt that the Onyx Studio 3 is really one of the best Bluetooth speakers that can produce incredible sound performance that rivals that of high-end speakers. The sound performance of the Studio 3 is simply breath-taking – we enjoyed listening to every bit of music from these speakers with incredibly clear midrange, crisp highs and impactful bass. The bass goes deep and low, and makes it feel as if you have a mini home theatre setup while this speaker. We have no doubt that Harman Kardon really hit a home run with these speakers. The design of the Studio 3 is sleek, modern and top-notch, and will blend in easily into your home or room décor with its light aluminium cover. At the time of writing, the Onyx Studio 3 is now selling at an amazing 70% discount, so don’t forget to check it out!
Be sure to check out some of the best Bluetooth speakers that can produce massive sound and are now selling at very good discounted prices!