Short answer: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 ranks #10 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $159.99; the Zealot S95 ranks #24 at $159.41. With prices this close, go by the sound-quality ranking rather than the cost.
What the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 offers: Warm sound with boosted bass. Watch for: Not as loud as others. No water rating.
What the Zealot S95 offers: A good value for the boombox class. Appears to be the same internals as the ZE01. Bigger case and goes deeper than the ZE01 Watch for: A little rolled off up top and not that balanced through the rest of the range. Clarity isn’t as good as better speakers.
Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Zealot S95 if the price is the priority over sound quality.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the Zealot S95 at IPX6 (powerful water jets) against the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8, which has no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 | Zealot S95 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $159.99 | $159.41 |
| Ranked | #10 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #24 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 42ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | None | IPX6 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 175ms | - |
| Max Volume | 96dB | - |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs / 3.3 kg | 11.3 lbs / 5.11 kg |
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | Yes (multiple modes) |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | - |
| Output Power | 50W RMS | 120W |
| Dimensions | 10.6" x 11.9" x 6.3" (268 x 302.5 x 159.5 mm) | 14.1" x 9.6" x 6.6" (358 x 243 x 167 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 75mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters | 130W subwoofer + dual drivers |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- Zealot ZE01 vs Skullcandy Barrel
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 vs Zealot S78
- Zealot S95 vs Zealot S78
Prices on this page were last checked August 27, 2026 at 10:09 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: $159.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Warm sound with boosted bass.
Cons: Not as loud as others. No water rating.
Full Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 42ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 | 2x 75mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Max Volume | 96dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 50W RMS |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| 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!
- Reddit Search for Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 vs JBL Partybox Encore
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 vs Zealot ZE41
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Zealot S95: $159.41 Amazon Aliexpress eBay
Pros: A good value for the boombox class. Appears to be the same internals as the ZE01. Bigger case and goes deeper than the ZE01
Cons: A little rolled off up top and not that balanced through the rest of the range. Clarity isn’t as good as better speakers.
Full Zealot S95 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 14.1" x 9.6" x 6.6" (358 x 243 x 167 mm) |
| Drivers | 130W subwoofer + dual drivers |
| EQ | Yes (multiple modes) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 120W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 11.3 lbs / 5.11 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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