Short answer: the JBL Xtreme 3 on measured sound quality, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 on price. The JBL Xtreme 3 ranks #18 of 77 large speakers at $229.95. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 ranks #47 at $100, $129.95 cheaper.
What the JBL Xtreme 3 offers: Better treble and deeper bass than the Xtreme 2. More balanced sounding than the Xtreme 4 Watch for: Boosted bass. Not as deep bass as better speakers. Not as balanced as better speakers.
What the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 offers: Balanced sound quality with deep resonant bass and crisp treble, large dynamic range. Multi-host Bluetooth connectivity for 2 phones, daisy chaining up to 100 speakers. Elegant modern design with smooth curves and premium materials. Watch for: 8 hour battery at medium volume. Not at loud as others. Not as deep of bass as the newer Onyx. External AC power brick for charging.
Buy the JBL Xtreme 3 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Battery life favors the JBL Xtreme 3: rated for 15 hours against 8 hours for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Xtreme 3 at IPX7 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Xtreme 3 | Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $229.95 | $100 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #18 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #47 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 133ms | - |
| Max Volume | 105dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 4 lbs / 1.83 kg | 4.5 lbs / 2.06 kg |
| App | No | Yes (HK Connect) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | None |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 11.7" x 5.4" x 5.3" (298 x 136 x 134 mm) | 11.4" x 11.4" x 5.1" (290 x 290 x 130 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 20mm tweeters | 2x 75mm woofers, 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Frequency Response | 53.5Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 100W | 60W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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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
JBL Xtreme 3: $229.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: Better treble and deeper bass than the Xtreme 2. More balanced sounding than the Xtreme 4
Cons: Boosted bass. Not as deep bass as better speakers. Not as balanced as better speakers.
Full JBL Xtreme 3 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 133ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.7" x 5.4" x 5.3" (298 x 136 x 134 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 53.5Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 105dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 100W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4 lbs / 1.83 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Mateusz Cholewa: TRIBIT StormBox LAVA - Unboxing.📦 Short Test vs Xtreme 4 More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 3 vs Sony XB43 - boombox champ? More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Motion Boom vs JBL Xtreme 3 LG PN7 & Minirig mk3 💯👍
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 3 vs JBL Xtreme 2 and Xtreme 1 - review and sound test
- Alan Ross Reviews: Anker Soundcore Motion Boom Plus vs JBL Xtreme 3 - Extreme review!
- DLX Willington: Who Sounds The Best Of Sony XG300, XB43 & JBL XTREME3 With Sound Sample BLIND CHALLENGE Reveal. More from DLXWillington →
- New Stuff TV: Sony SRS-XG300 Vs JBL Xtreme 3
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King X10 vs JBL Xtreme 3, Xtreme 2 and Xtreme 1! Xtreme Review 🤓
- Smart Home Sounds: Best Premium Bluetooth Speakers: Sonos Move, JBL Xtreme 3, Marshall Middleton & More…
- Dominik Reviews: JBL Xtreme 4 vs JBL Xtreme 3 Sound Test 😍 Best upgrade in the history? 😂 More from Dominik Reviews →
- Audio Inside Scoop: Klipsch Detroit VS JBL Xtreme 3 Hear With Me!!
- GYMCADDY: JBL Xtreme 3 Vs Sony XG300 - Its Not Even Close More from GYMCADDY →
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 3 vs Soundcore Motion Boom vs Rave Neo - Boombox Battle!
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Ortizan M8🦨 Bluetooth Speaker. Is This The Budget JBL Xtreme 3 Killer? Better Than Zealot S67? More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Danny Pops: It’s shaped like a Football - JBL Xtreme 3 Review vs Marshall Tufton and Flips Party Mode More from DannyPops →
- Reddit Search for JBL Xtreme 3 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Xtreme 3 vs Soundcore Motion X600
- JBL Xtreme 3 vs Bose SoundLink Max
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- JBL Xtreme 3 vs B&O Beoplay A2 active
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- See all 44 comparisons
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4: $100 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Balanced sound quality with deep resonant bass and crisp treble, large dynamic range. Multi-host Bluetooth connectivity for 2 phones, daisy chaining up to 100 speakers. Elegant modern design with smooth curves and premium materials.
Cons: 8 hour battery at medium volume. Not at loud as others. Not as deep of bass as the newer Onyx. External AC power brick for charging. Discontinued.
Full Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (HK Connect) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.4" x 11.4" x 5.1" (290 x 290 x 130 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 75mm woofers, 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 60W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4.5 lbs / 2.06 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Geri’s Collection: Harman Kardon Onyx 7 vs Onyx 4
- OCM Reviews: Onyx Studio 4 Vs Onyx Studio 5 - Sound Quality Comparison - Bluetooth Speaker
- Alan Ross Reviews: Ultimate HK Onyx Studio speaker review and comparison! 8 speakers! More from alanrossreviews →
- Reddit Search for Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 vs W-King D8
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 vs Sony SRS-XB43
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 vs JBL Xtreme
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 vs Doss Soundbox XL
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 vs Sony ULT Field 5
- See all 38 comparisons