Short answer: the Onyx Studio 8, and the price difference makes it emphatic. The 8 ranks #12 out of 112 boombox speakers at $199. The 7 ranks #14 at $248.90, more than twice the price for a lower placement. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 is discontinued; its replacement is the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9.
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: 0.9 lbs (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.
A stylish room-to-room speaker with warm, full sound, deep bass, and app EQ in a light, easy to carry body.
An elegant home portable with warm, spacious sound, strong deep bass, and stereo pairing with a second unit.
Prices on this page were last checked November 5, 2026 at 10:30 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 | Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.00 Discontinued | $248.90 |
| Ranked | #12 of 112 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #14 of 112 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 42ms | 0ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz | 37Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Bluetooth Latency | 175ms | 266ms |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) | 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) |
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | No |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Wireless Dual Sound) |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 4.2 |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS | 50W RMS |
| Dimensions | 10.6” 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) |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters | 120mm woofer + 2x 25mm tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | No |
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
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