Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 vs Onyx Studio 7

Last updated: September 19, 2026

Short answer: the Onyx Studio 8, and the price difference makes it emphatic. The 8 ranks #11 out of 75 boombox speakers at $180. The 7 ranks #13 at $248.90, more than twice the price for a lower placement.

Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7

The 8 reaches deeper: 35 Hz against 37 Hz, which is genuinely impressive for the size and puts it among the deeper-reaching speakers in its class regardless of price.

The 8 has an app EQ; the 7 has none at all. That is the decisive practical difference. Our notes describe the 7 as sounding a little sterile, and with no EQ there is nothing you can do about it. The 8 lets you correct its tuning.

What the 7 wins: 400 g of weight, 2.9 kg (6.4 lbs) against 3.3 kg (7.3 lbs), and a Dual Sound mode that pairs two units; the 8 has no multi-speaker mode. Both are 50 W RMS, both hit 96 dB, both run 8 hours at medium volume.

The shared caveat, and it is a real one: neither has any water rating. No IP rating at all. These are indoor speakers with a handle, and a sudden shower will end one. If it is going outside near a pool or a beach, buy something else. See best speakers for outdoor use.

Both are bought partly for the look, and the brushed-metal-and-fabric design is well executed. That is a legitimate reason to choose one over a better-measuring plastic box, and the portable buyer’s guide makes that case.

Buy the Onyx Studio 8. There is no scenario at list price where the 7 is the better purchase.

Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.

Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 at Amazon ($180.00) →Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 at Amazon ($248.90) →

Specifications Side By Side

Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7
Price$180.00$248.90
Ranked#11 of 75 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#13 of 75 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
Aux InputYesYes
Aux Latency42ms0ms
Bass Extension (-10dB)35Hz37Hz
Battery Life8 hours (Manufacturer specified)8 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Built-in MicrophoneYesYes
IP RatingNoneNone
Bluetooth Latency175ms266ms
Maximum SPL96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
Power InputDC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A)DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A)
StereoPartially (1 woofer)Partially (1 woofer)
OmnidirectionalNoNo
TWSYesNo
Weight7.3 lbs (3.3 kg)6.4 lbs (2.9 kg)
AppYes (Harman Kardon One app)No
Bluetooth CodecsSBCSBC
Power BankNoNo
EQYes (App EQ)No
Party ModeNoYes (Wireless Dual Sound)
USB PlaybackNoNo
Bluetooth Version5.24.2
Amplifier Power50W RMS50W RMS
Dimensions10.6" x 11.9" x 6.3" (268 x 302.5 x 159.5 mm)11.3" x 11.3" (285.8 x 285.8 mm) (round design)
Drivers120mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters120mm woofer + 2x 25mm tweeters
Digital Aux InputNoNo
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 at Amazon ($180.00) →Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 at Amazon ($248.90) →

More worthwhile head-to-heads for Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8:

Prices on this page were last checked September 21, 2026 at 12:46 AM 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: $180.00 Amazon eBay

Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 ranking card

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. Measured bass extension of 35Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Bass is limited by its 35Hz specification.

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)
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)
TWSYes
USB PlaybackNo
Weight7.3 lbs (3.3 kg)
Check current price at Amazon ($180.00) →Search eBay for Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 →

Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7: $248.90 Amazon eBay

Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 ranking card

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 Power50W RMS
AppNo
Aux InputYes
Aux Latency0ms
Bass Extension (-10dB)37Hz
Battery Life8 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Latency266ms
Bluetooth Version4.2
Built-in MicrophoneYes
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions11.3" x 11.3" (285.8 x 285.8 mm) (round design)
Drivers120mm woofer + 2x 25mm tweeters
EQNo
IP RatingNone
Maximum SPL96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (Wireless Dual Sound)
Power BankNo
Power InputDC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A)
StereoPartially (1 woofer)
TWSNo
USB PlaybackNo
Weight6.4 lbs (2.9 kg)
Check current price at Amazon ($248.90) →Search eBay for Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 →