Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, if you are buying new. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 ranks higher than the Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 (#12 vs #59 of 112 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 choice. 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 Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 at 16.8 lbs (7.64 kg). The tradeoff: Warm tuning with boosted bass, not as loud as others, and no water resistance rating.
The Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 is the tougher pick. A large party speaker with powerful bass, a big fast charging battery and app EQ for outdoor parties. It is rated IPX6, while the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 has no water resistance. The tradeoff: There is limited independent testing and the water/dust rating is reported inconsistently across listings.
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 Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A stylish room-to-room speaker with warm, full sound, deep bass, and app EQ in a light, easy to carry body.
A large party speaker with powerful bass, a big fast charging battery and app EQ for outdoor parties.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 | Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.00 Discontinued | $228.99 |
| Ranked | #12 of 112 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #59 of 112 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 42ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 111Wh (14.8V/7,500mAh) (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) | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) | 16.8 lbs (7.64 kg) |
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | - |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.3 |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS | 200W RMS / 300W Peak |
| Dimensions | 10.6” x 11.9” x 6.3” (268 x 302.5 x 159.5 mm) | 20.7” x 8.3” x 10.6” (525 x 210 x 268 mm) |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters | 189x114mm woofer, 2x 89mm midrange, 2x 38mm tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | No |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8: