Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, if you are buying new. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 ranks higher than the ION Pathfinder 320 (#12 vs #100 of 113 boombox speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, is rated 4.1/5 at $184.99 and is still sold new.
The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 is the better-sounding, lighter option. A stylish room-to-room speaker with warm, full sound, deep bass, and app EQ in a light, easy to carry body. At 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) it weighs much less than the ION Pathfinder 320 at 22.7 lbs (10.3 kg). The tradeoff: Warm tuning with boosted bass, not as loud as others, and no water resistance rating.
The ION Pathfinder 320 is the longer-running, tougher pick. A wheeled party speaker with an enormous battery, splash resistance, FM radio and ports for charging phones. It is rated for 100 hours of battery against 8 for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8. It is rated IPX5, while the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 has no water resistance. The catch: Bass is not as deep as competitors.
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, the replacement for the discontinued Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8; it is rated higher for sound quality than the ION Pathfinder 320.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 | ION Pathfinder 320 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.00 Discontinued | $129.99 |
| Ranked | #12 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #100 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 42ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 100 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | None | IPX5 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 175ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) | 22.7 lbs (10.3 kg) |
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A) |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | Yes (High/Low frequency) |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.0 |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS | 200W |
| Dimensions | 10.6” x 11.9” x 6.3” (268 x 302.5 x 159.5 mm) | 15.1” x 10.4” x 19.4” (383.5 x 264.2 x 492.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters | 2x 4” (102mm) drivers |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | - |
| FM Tuner | - | Yes |
| Microphone Input | - | No |
| Wheels | - | Yes |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8: reviews by Alan Ross and YARNZO Tech.
- ION Pathfinder 320: reviews by King Vegeta.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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