Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 vs JBL Boombox 4

Last updated: October 2, 2026

Short answer: the Onyx Studio 8 for value, the JBL Boombox 4 for output. The Boombox 4 has pretty insane output capability for the size but is pretty overpriced for the category. The Onyx Studio 8 has warm, bass-boosted sound, though it is not as loud as others, and it costs $350.95 less.

Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 vs JBL Boombox 4

Buy the JBL Boombox 4 new; the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 is no longer sold new, so it only makes sense as a used find.

There is a real battery-life gap here: the JBL Boombox 4 is rated for 28 hours, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 only 8 hours.

Water resistance is not close: the JBL Boombox 4 is rated at IP68 (extended submersion), well ahead of the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 at no water resistance.

Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.

Buy the JBL Boombox 4 at Amazon ($549.95) →Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 at Amazon ($199.00) →

Specifications Side By Side

Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 JBL Boombox 4
Price$199.00 Discontinued$549.95
Ranked#12 of 90 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#20 of 90 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
Aux InputYesNo
Aux Latency42ms-
Bass Extension (-10dB)35Hz41Hz
Battery Life8 hours (Manufacturer specified)28 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Built-in MicrophoneYesNo
IP RatingNoneIP68
Bluetooth Latency175msAAC 144ms, SBC 48ms
Maximum SPL96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)115dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
Power InputDC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A)AC Power cord
StereoPartially (1 woofer)Yes
OmnidirectionalNoNo
TWSYesYes
Weight7.3 lbs (3.3 kg)13.2 lbs (5.98 kg)
AppYes (Harman Kardon One app)Yes
BluetoothYesYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBCSBC, LC3, AAC
Power BankNoYes (USB-C, up to 30W)
EQYes (App EQ)Yes (7 band)
Party ModeNoYes (Auracast)
USB PlaybackNoNo
Bluetooth Version5.25.4
Amplifier Power50W RMS210W AC / 200W battery
Dimensions10.6” x 11.9” x 6.3” (268 x 302.5 x 159.5 mm)20.1” x 10.2” x 8.3” (510 x 260 x 210 mm)
Drivers120mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters2x 123mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators
Digital Aux InputNoYes (USB-C)
StrapNoNo
Removable Battery-Yes
FM Tuner-No
Microphone Input-No
MicroSD Playback-No
Buy the JBL Boombox 4 at Amazon ($549.95) →Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 at Amazon ($199.00) →

More top alternatives to Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8:

Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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: $199.00 Discontinued Amazon eBay

Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 ranking card

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 Power50W RMS
AppYes (Harman Kardon One app)
Aux InputYes
Aux Latency42ms
Bass Extension (-10dB)35Hz
Battery Life8 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
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)
StrapNo
TWSYes
USB PlaybackNo
Weight7.3 lbs (3.3 kg)
Check current price at Amazon ($199.00) →Search eBay for Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 →

JBL Boombox 4: $549.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay

JBL Boombox 4 ranking card

Older models: the JBL Boombox 3 (ranked lower, rated 3.8/5), the JBL Boombox 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.5/5) and the JBL Boombox (ranked lower, rated 2.9/5).

Pros: Pretty insane output capability for the size. IP68 protection and Auracast pairing with other current JBL speakers. Measured bass extension of 41Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Pretty overpriced for the category. Better than the Boombox 3 mostly because there are more 7 EQ bands instead of just 3 and it can be better tuned. Try Oluv’s EQ for it. Out of the box sounds worse than the Boombox 3. No Aux input.

Full JBL Boombox 4 review and specifications →

Amplifier Power210W AC / 200W battery
AppYes
Aux InputNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)41Hz
Battery Life28 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, LC3, AAC
Bluetooth LatencyAAC 144ms, SBC 48ms
Bluetooth Version5.4
Built-in MicrophoneNo
Digital Aux InputYes (USB-C)
Dimensions20.1” x 10.2” x 8.3” (510 x 260 x 210 mm)
Drivers2x 123mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators
EQYes (7 band)
FM TunerNo
IP RatingIP68
Maximum SPL115dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
MicroSD PlaybackNo
Microphone InputNo
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (Auracast)
Power BankYes (USB-C, up to 30W)
Power InputAC Power cord
Removable BatteryYes
StereoYes
StrapNo
TWSYes
USB PlaybackNo
Weight13.2 lbs (5.98 kg)
Check current price at Amazon ($549.95) →Check current price at B&H Photo Video →Search eBay for JBL Boombox 4 →