Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7. It ranks #14 of 76 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $248.90; the Bumpboxx Flare 8 ranks #58, rated 2.6/5, and costs $400, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7: The addition of dual tweeters gives the Studio 7 a wider, more spacious presentation than older Onyx models. Watch for: Consumer Reports finds the bass prominent and boomy, mids hazy, treble slightly smeared and the soundstage congested.
The case for the Bumpboxx Flare 8: A retro-styled, 8.6kg party speaker with useful real-world features: IPX6 splash resistance, FM radio, USB and microSD playback, aux input, TWS pairing and a claimed 118dB maximum output. The catch: Bass is thuddy rather than deep or controlled, and there is no app to improve the tuning.
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Bumpboxx Flare 8 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Water resistance is not close: the Bumpboxx Flare 8 is rated at IPX6 (powerful water jets), well ahead of the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 at no water resistance.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 | Bumpboxx Flare 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $248.90 | $400 |
| Ranked | #14 of 76 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #58 of 76 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | None | IPX6 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 266ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 118dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) | No |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) | 19 lbs (8.62 kg) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS | 200W |
| Dimensions | 11.3” x 11.3” (285.8 x 285.8 mm) (round design) | 28” x 8” x 16” (711 x 203 x 406 mm) |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 2x 25mm tweeters | 8” woofer + tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | - |
| Strap | No | - |
| FM Tuner | - | Yes |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7:
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7
Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 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 Onyx Studio 7: $248.90 Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, rated 4.1/5.
Pros: The addition of dual tweeters gives the Studio 7 a wider, more spacious presentation than older Onyx models. It delivers strong, deep bass, useful large-room volume and can pair with a second Studio 7 for stereo. Measured bass extension of 37Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Consumer Reports finds the bass prominent and boomy, mids hazy, treble slightly smeared and the soundstage congested. Battery life remains only about eight hours, it has no water rating or advanced codecs, and it is not an especially loud outdoor speaker.
Full Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 266ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.3” x 11.3” (285.8 x 285.8 mm) (round design) |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 2x 25mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 2 vs Onyx Studio 7 big bass battle 💋 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Onyx Studio 7 vs Onyx Studio 6 - massive deep bass battle 😁
- Geri’s Collection: Harman Kardon Onyx 7 vs Onyx 4
- KULAS TECH SHOW: Harman / Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs Onyx Studio 7 - Close battle🔥🔥 More from KULASTECHSHOW20 →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Ultimate HK Onyx Studio speaker review and comparison! 8 speakers!
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Bumpboxx Flare 8: $400 Bumpboxx eBay
Pros: A retro-styled, 8.6kg party speaker with useful real-world features: IPX6 splash resistance, FM radio, USB and microSD playback, aux input, TWS pairing and a claimed 118dB maximum output. It can play much louder than compact Bluetooth speakers and is easy to aim at a small outdoor gathering.
Cons: Bass is thuddy rather than deep or controlled, and there is no app to improve the tuning. Owner reports also raise reliability concerns, including noisy or intermittent volume controls and sound cutting out at high volume. It is a fun-looking niche product, not a sound-quality or durability leader.
Full Bumpboxx Flare 8 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 200W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 28” x 8” x 16” (711 x 203 x 406 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” woofer + tweeters |
| EQ | Yes |
| FM Tuner | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 118dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 19 lbs (8.62 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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