Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 for the higher ranking, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 for the lower price. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 ranks #10 of 70 boombox speakers at $139.99. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 ranks #11 at $130, $9.99 cheaper.
The case for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6: Oluv liked it slightly better than the newer Onyx 7. The tradeoff: 8 hour battery at medium volume.
What the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 gets right: Warm sound with boosted bass. The catch: Not as loud as others.
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 if the price matters more than the ranking. Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 if the ranking matters more than the price.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 | Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 | $139.99 |
| Ranked | #11 of 70 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #10 of 70 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz | 35Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | None |
| Bluetooth Latency | 180ms | 175ms |
| Max Volume | 96dB | 96dB |
| Party Mode | (Dual Sound up to 2 speakers) | No |
| Power Input | 19V/2A | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| TWS | Yes (see https://www.reddit.com/r/Bluetooth_Speakers/comments/w339x5/how_to_harman_kardon_onyx_studio_5_6_dual_sound/) | Yes |
| Weight | 6.5 lbs / 2.94 kg | 7.3 lbs / 3.3 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) |
| EQ | No | Yes (App EQ) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.2 |
| Output Power | 50W RMS | 50W RMS |
| Dimensions | 5.04" x 11.46" x 11.18" (128 x 291 x 284 mm) | 10.55" x 11.91" x 6.28" (268 x 302.5 x 159.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 75mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters | 2x 75mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Aux Latency | - | 42ms |
The Two Speakers In Full
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6: $130 Amazon
Pros: Warm sound with boosted bass. Oluv liked it slightly better than the newer Onyx 7.
Cons: 8 hour battery at medium volume. Not at loud as others.
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 180ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Dimensions | 5.04" x 11.46" x 11.18" (128 x 291 x 284 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 75mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 96dB |
| Output Power | 50W RMS |
| Party Mode | (Dual Sound up to 2 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | 19V/2A |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes (see https://www.reddit.com/r/Bluetooth_Speakers/comments/w339x5/how_to_harman_kardon_onyx_studio_5_6_dual_sound/) |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 6.5 lbs / 2.94 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Onyx Studio 7 vs Onyx Studio 6 - massive deep bass battle 😁
- That Speaker Guy: Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 vs Devialet Mania
- Ezekielo: Citation 200 vs Onyx Studio 6 vs Bose Portable Speaker Sound Comparison
- Alan Ross Reviews: Harman Kardon Go+ Play 2 mini or Onyx Studio 6 - best speaker for bass?
- Alan Ross Reviews: Ultimate HK Onyx Studio speaker review and comparison! 8 speakers!
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8: $139.99 Amazon
Pros: Warm sound with boosted bass.
Cons: Not as loud as others. No water rating.
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 42ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 175ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Dimensions | 10.55" x 11.91" x 6.28" (268 x 302.5 x 159.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 75mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Max Volume | 96dB |
| Output Power | 50W RMS |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs / 3.3 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 review - part 2 of 3
- Alan Ross Reviews: Onyx Studio 8 vs HK Onyx 6, Xtreme 3, PartyBox Encore, Go+ Play, Bag of Riddim! part 3 of 3
- Alan Ross Reviews: Dead room vs Live room - Onyx studio 8 self tuning test! part 1 of 3
- Alan Ross Reviews: Ultimate HK Onyx Studio speaker review and comparison! 8 speakers!
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.