Short answer: the W-King X20S, if you are buying new. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 ranks higher than it (#12 vs #29 of 89 boombox speakers, 4.1/5 vs 3.8/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the W-King X20S is still sold new at $150.99.
The case for 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. Watch for: Bass is limited by its 35Hz specification.
Why pick the W-King X20S: Clearer and smoother than the larger W-King X20 at about half its size and weight, and in side by side tests it held its own against the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3, with nicer, more exposed mids and more volume. The tradeoff: Less bass and depth than the X20 and about 3dB quieter, and at maximum volume its mids and highs start to drown out the bass.
Buy the W-King X20S if you want one new; the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 is discontinued, so only look for it used.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the W-King X20S at IPX7 (brief submersion) against the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8, which has no water resistance.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 | W-King X20S | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $197.90 Discontinued | $150.99 |
| Ranked | #12 of 89 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #29 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) | - |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | None | IPX7 |
| 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 | Yes |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) | 13.8 lbs (6.25 kg) |
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | - |
| Party Mode | No | - |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.4 |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS | 140W RMS (180W peak) |
| Dimensions | 10.6” x 11.9” x 6.3” (268 x 302.5 x 159.5 mm) | - |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Strap | No | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
| FM Tuner | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for 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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W-King X20S: $150.99 AliExpress W-King eBay
Pros: Clearer and smoother than the larger W-King X20 at about half its size and weight, and in side by side tests it held its own against the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3, with nicer, more exposed mids and more volume. 140W RMS (180W peak), IPX7, Bluetooth 5.4, a built-in microphone, TF card, USB and aux playback, FM radio, a carry handle and a shoulder strap.
Cons: Less bass and depth than the X20 and about 3dB quieter, and at maximum volume its mids and highs start to drown out the bass. With a flat EQ the bass is cut off, so it needs the bass boost. The JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2 sounded better in a direct comparison. Sold direct from W-King in the US.
Full W-King X20S review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 140W RMS (180W peak) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| FM Tuner | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 13.8 lbs (6.25 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jagist reviews: W-king X20 Vs W-king X20S!!! More from Jagistreviews →
- Jagist reviews: W-king X20s Vs Harman Kardon Go Plus Play 3!!!
- Mateusz Cholewa: 140W W-KING X20S vs 160W HK Go Plus Play 3 More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Encore Essential 2 Vs W-king X20s!!!
- Jagist reviews: W-king X20s Vs Tribit Stormbox Blast!!!
- Head-to-Head Comparisons