Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 Review
Distinctive design, plenty of power and ease of use are the most significant features of the new Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 speaker, which does not allow wi-fi connectivity but is available at a far more affordable price.
Like the other models in the series, the Onyx Studio 4 features a distinctive design, with a case that is mounted on the legs and slightly angled backward. The shape of the case is most accurately described as a combination of two convex surfaces, with a protruding front and back, so the device looks very attractive and futuristic from every angle. The front is completely covered with a protective mask, which is coated with cloth, and the only detail is the manufacturer’s logo in the center. The front and rear joints are made of rubberized material, which in the lower part serves as the base of the case with two discrete stabilizers, while in the upper part it has brilliantly fitted controls. In addition to volume control, there is a power button, Bluetooth connection, phone call control and activation of HK Connect +.
- Amplify your listening experience by wirelessly connecting more than 100 HK...
- The rechargeable battery supports up to 8 hours of playtime
- Stream music wirelessly via Bluetooth to enjoy room-filling sound. Connect...
- Access Siri or Google now from the speaker with a simple button press. This...
- The superior fabric and finishing combines with iconic design to compliment...
In addition to the handy integrated upper handle, the rear features an elegantly designed passive diaphragm to enhance the bass. At the very bottom of the back are a small recessed panel with a 3.5mm audio input, a power connector and a USB firmware update port. In addition, there are two larger feet that the device relies on.
The stage is a much wider than we are used to with devices of this type.
The manufacturer states that under the canvas bezel of the front panel are two 20mm high tweeter drivers and two 75mm mid-bass units. The amplifier provides 15 watts per speaker unit when the unit is connected to the mains, or half as long as it runs on an internal 3,000 mAh battery. Of the additional features, Onyx Studio 4 enables microphone calling with Voicelogic technology to eliminate noise and echo, simultaneously connect two devices via Bluetooth, and support for Siri and Google Now. In addition, the HK Connect application provides connectivity for two speakers in stereo mode, as well as connecting and simultaneous playback of over 100 speakers (HK Connect +).
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 Sound Test
In terms of playback quality, the speaker tested reminded us of the more expensive brother in the Onyx series. The sound is powerful and saturated, and the Onyx Studio 4 allows for very loud listening without noticeable distortion. Particularly impressive are the low tones, which are well defined and massive, but with the retention of that pleasant warmth that is characteristic of Harman Kardon devices. The middle tones contain a solid amount of detail and are quite musical, so they convey the energy of the music with ease. Also, the created stage has a much wider width than we are accustomed to from devices of this type, which is due to the placement of the speaker units on a spherical surface. The image is rounded off by the full treble of a very pleasing color but without the finer details. Namely, the highest part of the spectrum seems to be slightly pulled away from the rest of the sound image, so the tones lack a bit of vivid visual appeal. We are sure that the situation would be much better with the presence of the aptX codec for signal transmission in CD quality, but its absence is quite in line with the much lower price of the tested speaker.
Although not necessary for listening to music, the associated HK Connect application does have some useful features. In addition to connecting two speakers in stereo mode or more than 100 speakers in Connect + mode, Siri and Google Now voice commands, internal battery charge control, and firmware version check are also available. The application features a clear layout and is completely intuitive to use.
- Amplify your listening experience by wirelessly connecting more than 100 HK...
- The rechargeable battery supports up to 8 hours of playtime
- Stream music wirelessly via Bluetooth to enjoy room-filling sound. Connect...
- Access Siri or Google now from the speaker with a simple button press. This...
- The superior fabric and finishing combines with iconic design to compliment...
Conclusion
As an affordable and practical speaker of attractive design, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 will attract customers looking for a good and complete Bluetooth speaker to carry around the house and patio, while an internal battery will allow listening in the yard as well. However, the size of this speaker is too large to be casually loaded into a backpack and taken with us for a trip, so its portability should be taken with reserve.
The user manual can be found here: Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 User Manual
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Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4
Pros
- Great sound quality
- Impressive volume
Cons
- Very large and heavy
- Poor battery life
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 Features
Wireless Bluetooth Streaming
- Stream music wirelessly via Bluetooth to enjoy room-filling sound. Connect up to 2 smart devices at the same time and take turns playing music.
8 Hours of Playtime
- The rechargeable battery supports up to 8 hours of playtime.
HK Connect+
- Amplify your listening experience by wirelessly connecting more than 100 HK Connect+ enabled speakers.
Built-in Microphone Conferencing System
- Noise and echo cancellation enables crystal-clear conferencing.
Voice Integration
- Access Siri or Google Now from the speaker with a simple button press. This can be easily configured via the HK Connect App.
Premium Materials
- The superior fabric and finishing combine with iconic design to compliment any style.
What’s in the Box
- 1 x Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4
- 1 x Power adaptor
- 1 x Quick start guide
- 1 x Safety sheet
- 1 x Warranty card
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 Specifications
- Bluetooth version: 4.2
- Support: A2DP 1.3, AVRCP 1.6, HFP 1.6
- Transducers: Woofer 2 x 75mm, Tweeter 2 x 20mm
- Rated Power: 4 x 15W (AC mode); 4 x 7.5W (Battery mode)
- Frequency response: 50Hz – 20kHz (-6dB)
- Signal to noise ratio: 80dB A-weighted
- Power supply: 19V/2A
- Battery Type: 3.7V/3000mAh Lithium-ion
- Battery charge time: 5 hours•Music playtime: up to 8 hours (Varies by volume level and music content)
- Bluetooth transmitter power: 0 – 9dBm
- Bluetooth transmitter frequency range: 2402MHz – 2480MHz
- Bluetooth transmitter modulation: GFSK, π/4 DQPSK, 8DPSK
- Dimension (H x W x D): 260mm x 278mm x 159.5mm
- Weight: 2061g
