Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8

Last updated: October 2, 2026

Short answer: the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3. It ranks #3 of 90 against #12 of 90 for the Onyx Studio 8. Both are warm with boosted bass and both trail the class on output, so the Go + Play 3’s stronger placement decides it; the Onyx is not as loud as others and costs $199 against $385.

Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8

Buy the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 is discontinued, so it is only available used.

Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.

Buy the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 at Amazon ($385) →Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 at Amazon ($199.00) →

Specifications Side By Side

Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8
Price$385$199.00 Discontinued
Ranked#3 of 90 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#12 of 90 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYes (Harman Kardon One app)Yes (Harman Kardon One app)
Aux Latency112ms42ms
Bass Extension (-10dB)35Hz35Hz
Battery Life8 hours (Manufacturer specified)8 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Built-in MicrophoneYesYes
EQYes (App EQ)Yes (App EQ)
IP RatingNoneNone
Bluetooth Latency120ms175ms
Maximum SPL103dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
Power InputAC Power brickDC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A)
StereoYesPartially (1 woofer)
OmnidirectionalNoNo
TWSYesYes
Weight10.4 lbs (4.7 kg)7.3 lbs (3.3 kg)
BluetoothYesYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AACSBC
Power BankYesNo
Party ModeNoNo
USB PlaybackNoNo
Bluetooth Version5.25.2
Amplifier Power160W RMS50W RMS
Dimensions17.3” x 9.4” x 7.6” (439 x 240 x 192 mm)10.6” x 11.9” x 6.3” (268 x 302.5 x 159.5 mm)
Aux InputYesYes
Drivers1x 130mm (5”) subwoofer + 2x 70mm midrange drivers + 2x 20mm tweeters120mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters
Digital Aux InputNoNo
StrapNoNo
Buy the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 at Amazon ($385) →Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 at Amazon ($199.00) →

More top alternatives to Harman Kardon Go + Play 3:

Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

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The Two Speakers In Full

Harman Kardon Go + Play 3: $385 Amazon eBay

Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 ranking card

Older model: the Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.9/5).

Pros: Warm sound with boosted bass. Deepest bass out of any speaker in this size. Sound is more natural than the Go + Play2. An aux input, a built-in microphone, a power bank function, stereo pairing and hidden button combinations for adjusting bass and treble. Measured bass extension of 35Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Just a little over half as loud as the higher rated boomboxes. Only 8 hours of battery at medium volume. No water rating.

Setup: Use the hidden EQ modes to adjust the bass up when outside and down when inside. To adjust bass, quickly press the bluetooth and volume down buttons together, the number of light flashes tell you what mode you’re in. To adjust treble, quickly press the volume up and phone buttons at the same time, the number of yellow flashes on the light tell you what mode you are in.

Full Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 review and specifications →

Amplifier Power160W RMS
AppYes (Harman Kardon One app)
Aux InputYes
Aux Latency112ms
Bass Extension (-10dB)35Hz
Battery Life8 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC
Bluetooth Latency120ms
Bluetooth Version5.2
Built-in MicrophoneYes
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions17.3” x 9.4” x 7.6” (439 x 240 x 192 mm)
Drivers1x 130mm (5”) subwoofer + 2x 70mm midrange drivers + 2x 20mm tweeters
EQYes (App EQ)
IP RatingNone
Maximum SPL103dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeNo
Power BankYes
Power InputAC Power brick
StereoYes
StrapNo
TWSYes
USB PlaybackNo
Weight10.4 lbs (4.7 kg)
Check current price at Amazon ($385) →Search eBay for Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 →

Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8: $199.00 Discontinued Amazon eBay

Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 ranking card

Newer model: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, ranked lower, rated 4.1/5.

Pros: At 3.3 kg, Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 combines a 120mm woofer and 2x 20mm tweeters with Bluetooth and aux. Claimed 8 hours (manufacturer specified) battery life and up to 96db make its feature set practical for its intended room or portable use. A built-in microphone and the Harman Kardon One app with EQ. Measured bass extension of 35Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Bass is limited by its 35Hz specification. Warm tuning with boosted bass, not as loud as others, and no water resistance rating. Discontinued.

Full Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 review and specifications →

Amplifier Power50W RMS
AppYes (Harman Kardon One app)
Aux InputYes
Aux Latency42ms
Bass Extension (-10dB)35Hz
Battery Life8 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Latency175ms
Bluetooth Version5.2
Built-in MicrophoneYes
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions10.6” x 11.9” x 6.3” (268 x 302.5 x 159.5 mm)
Drivers120mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters
EQYes (App EQ)
IP RatingNone
Maximum SPL96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeNo
Power BankNo
Power InputDC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A)
StereoPartially (1 woofer)
StrapNo
TWSYes
USB PlaybackNo
Weight7.3 lbs (3.3 kg)
Check current price at Amazon ($199.00) →Search eBay for Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 →