Short answer: the JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus. It ranks #5 of 113 boombox speakers by sound quality (rated 4.4/5) at $349.95 and is still sold new; the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 ranks #12 (rated 4.1/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8’s replacement, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, is rated 4.1/5 at $184.99.
The JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus is the better-sounding, longer-running option. A well balanced karaoke party speaker with clean bass, clear vocals, on-board vocal removal, an included wireless mic and a removable battery. It is rated for 15 hours of battery against 8 for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8. It is rated IPX4, while the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 has no water resistance. It links with other speakers (Auracast), which the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 cannot. The tradeoff: The bass has less kick and physical impact than the JBL Partybox Encore 2 or JBL Partybox Club 120, and the JBL Partybox Club 120 gets noticeably louder.
The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 is the 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 JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus at 14.2 lbs (6.45 kg). The tradeoff: Warm tuning with boosted bass, not as loud as others, and no water resistance rating.
Buy the JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Prices on this page were last checked November 14, 2026 at 6:17 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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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus | Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.95 | $199.00 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #5 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #12 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL One app) | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (app EQ, Deep and Punchy bass boost) | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | None |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 11V/2A) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Partially | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 14.2 lbs (6.45 kg) | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 1 Included | - |
| Microphone Input | No (wireless only) | - |
| Guitar Input | No | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, LC3 | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.2 |
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS | 50W RMS |
| Dimensions | 19.7” x 10.2” x 8.7” (501 x 258 x 221 mm) | 10.6” x 11.9” x 6.3” (268 x 302.5 x 159.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25”) woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75”) dome tweeters | 120mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (-6dB, Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) | No |
| Aux Latency | - | 42ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 35Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 175ms |
| Maximum SPL | - | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
Where the Ratings Come From
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus: reviews by GYMCADDY and Peter Tyson Audio & Visual.
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8: reviews by Alan Ross and YARNZO Tech.
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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