Short answer: the Hopestar A90, if you are buying new. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 ranks higher than it (#12 vs #22 of 89 boombox speakers, 4.1/5 vs 3.9/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Hopestar A90 is still sold new at $351.65.
Why pick the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8: At 3.3 kg, Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 combines a 120mm woofer and 2x 20mm tweeters with Bluetooth and aux. The tradeoff: Bass is limited by its 35Hz specification.
The case for the Hopestar A90: A huge, powerful 700W boombox with eight drivers (two 5” woofers, two 3.5” midranges and four tweeters), a removable 36,000mAh battery and a wireless microphone. Watch for: The JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2 was the better, more refined listen in a direct comparison.
Buy the Hopestar A90, since the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 is discontinued and only worth hunting down used.
Water resistance is not close: the Hopestar A90 is rated at IPX6 (powerful water jets), well ahead of the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 at no water resistance.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 | Hopestar A90 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $197.90 Discontinued | $351.65 |
| Ranked | #12 of 89 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #22 of 89 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 42ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 6-8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | None | IPX6 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 175ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) | - |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) | - |
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | No |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Auracast) |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.4 |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS | 700W |
| Dimensions | 10.6” x 11.9” x 6.3” (268 x 302.5 x 159.5 mm) | 24.6” x 9.9” x 13.4” (624.5 x 252.5 x 341.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters | 2x 5” woofers + 2x 3.5” midranges + 2x 2.5” tweeters + 2x 2” ceramic tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Strap | No | - |
| Removable Battery | - | Yes |
| Frequency Response | - | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
| Wireless Microphones | - | Yes 1 Included |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to 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 September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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: $197.90 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!
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 vs Aiwa Exos-9
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 vs Zealot ZE51
- See all 74 comparisons
Hopestar A90: $351.65 AliExpress eBay
Pros: A huge, powerful 700W boombox with eight drivers (two 5” woofers, two 3.5” midranges and four tweeters), a removable 36,000mAh battery and a wireless microphone. In side by side tests it had better highs, clarity and soundstage than the Zealot ZE21 while still reaching deep, reviewers picked it over the JBL Boombox 4 for its bass and output, and it sounded powerful and true to the music against the JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2. Bluetooth 5.4 with Auracast, IPX6, USB, TF and aux inputs, RGB lights and a strap attachment.
Cons: The JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2 was the better, more refined listen in a direct comparison. The Yeahbox Sonic Boom Ultra measured roughly 3 to 5dB louder. There is no app or EQ. It is very large and heavy (13.2 kg boxed), claims only 6 to 8 hours of battery, and it is sold through AliExpress rather than US retailers.
Full Hopestar A90 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 700W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 6-8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 24.6” x 9.9” x 13.4” (624.5 x 252.5 x 341.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 5” woofers + 2x 3.5” midranges + 2x 2.5” tweeters + 2x 2” ceramic tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| Lights | Yes |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 1 Included |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jagist reviews: Hopestar A90 Vs Jbl Boombox 4!!! Battle Of The Gods!!! More from Jagistreviews →
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Firmware Updated Vs Hopestar A90!!! Rematch Of Beasts!!!
- Jagist reviews: Hopestar A90 Vs Zealot Ze41!!! Battle Of Shear Power!!!
- Jagist reviews: Hopestar A90 Vs Zealot Ze21!!! Deep Bass Vs Powerful Bass!!!
- Jagist reviews: Hopestar A90 Vs Jbl Encore Essential 2!!! Deep Bass Vs Powerhouse Bass!!!
- Head-to-Head Comparisons