Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 is the better pick: it ranks #12 of 91 boombox speakers by sound quality (rated 4.1/5), against #72 (rated 2.6/5) for the Bumpboxx Flare 8. If you want one new, the Tribit Stormbox Blast ranks #2 at $179.99.
The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 is the better-sounding, lighter option. Claimed 8 hours (manufacturer specified) battery life and up to 96db make its feature set practical for its intended room or portable use. At 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) it weighs much less than the Bumpboxx Flare 8 at 19 lbs (8.62 kg). Watch for: Warm tuning with boosted bass, not as loud as others, and no water resistance rating.
The Bumpboxx Flare 8 is the longer-running, tougher choice. A retro-styled, 19 lbs (8.6 kg) 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 is rated for 12 hours of battery against 8 for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8. It is rated IPX6, while the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 has no water resistance. 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 8 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, start with the Tribit Stormbox Blast instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 | Bumpboxx Flare 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.00 Discontinued | $400 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #12 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #72 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 42ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | None | IPX6 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 175ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 118dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) | 19 lbs (8.62 kg) |
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | - |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS | 200W |
| Dimensions | 10.6” x 11.9” x 6.3” (268 x 302.5 x 159.5 mm) | 28” x 8” x 16” (711 x 203 x 406 mm) |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters | 8” woofer + tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | - |
| FM Tuner | - | Yes |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8:
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8
Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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 8: $199.00 Discontinued Amazon eBay
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 Power | 50W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 42ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 175ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.6” x 11.9” x 6.3” (268 x 302.5 x 159.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 review - part 2 of 3 More from alanrossreviews →
- 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!
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Bumpboxx Flare 8: $400 Discontinued Bumpboxx eBay
Newer model: the Bumpboxx Flare8 Pro, ranked higher, estimated 2.8/5.
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. Discontinued.
Full Bumpboxx Flare 8 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 200W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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