Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8. It ranks #10 of 70 boombox speakers at $139.99; the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 ranks #13 and costs $186.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 gets right: Warm sound with boosted bass. The catch: Not as loud as others.
On the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 side: Auracast multi-speaker connection alongside classic stereo pairing. The tradeoff: Slight recessed mids, boost in the upper mids, rolled off upper treble.
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 if the ranking matters more than the price. Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 if the price matters more than the ranking.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 | Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $139.99 | $186.99 |
| Ranked | #10 of 70 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #13 of 70 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| Aux Latency | 42ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz | 41Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Bluetooth Latency | 175ms | - |
| Max Volume | 96dB | 101dB |
| Power Input | AC Power brick | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs / 3.3 kg | 9.3 lbs / 4.2 kg |
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | Yes (App EQ) |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Auracast) |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.3 |
| Output Power | 50W RMS | 50W RMS |
| Dimensions | 10.55" x 11.91" x 6.28" (268 x 302.5 x 159.5 mm) | 11.39" x 11.32" x 5.12" (289.2 x 287.5 x 130 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 75mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters | 120mm woofer + 3x 20mm tweeters |
The Two Speakers In Full
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
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9: $186.99 Amazon
Pros: Auracast multi-speaker connection alongside classic stereo pairing. Harman Kardon One app with EQ. USB-C charging, up from the previous generation’s AC power brick.
Cons: Slight recessed mids, boost in the upper mids, rolled off upper treble. Not as deep bass as previous Onyx Studio speakers.
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 11.39" x 11.32" x 5.12" (289.2 x 287.5 x 130 mm) |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 3x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Max Volume | 101dB |
| Output Power | 50W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs / 4.2 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Altec Lansing Mix 2.0
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- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs W-King D20
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Zealot S89
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Zealot ZE21
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Zealot ZE41
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Altec Lansing Rockbox XL 2.0
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs ION Pathfinder 280
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Soundcore Boom 2 Plus
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Soundcore Rave Party 2
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- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Bugani Boost Max
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Earfun Uboom X
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Gemini GRV-650L
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs ION Pathfinder 320
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs JBL Partybox Encore
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Skullcandy Barrel
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Tronsmart Halo 200
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs W-King H10
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Zealot S95
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7
- 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.