These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The JBL Xtreme 3 ranks #18 of 103 large speakers by sound quality at $269.95; the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 ranks #12 of 91 boombox speakers by sound quality at $199.
The JBL Xtreme 3 is the louder, longer-running choice. Better treble and deeper bass than the JBL Xtreme 2. Alan Ross Reviews measured it at 105dB at full volume, against 96dB for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8. It is rated for 15 hours of battery against 8 for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8. At 4 lbs (1.83 kg) it weighs much less than the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 at 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg). The catch: Boosted bass.
The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 is the deeper-bass pick. Claimed 8 hours (manufacturer specified) battery life and up to 96db make its feature set practical for its intended room or portable use. Its bass reaches about 35Hz before falling 10dB, against 53Hz for the JBL Xtreme 3. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Xtreme 3 lacks. The catch: Warm tuning with boosted bass, not as loud as others, and no water resistance rating.
One note: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 is no longer sold new, but at #12 of 91 boombox speakers by sound quality it still outranks most current models, so used is worth considering. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8’s replacement, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, is still sold new.
Buy the JBL Xtreme 3 ($269.95) for a large speaker; the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 ($199) suits a boombox speaker instead.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Xtreme 3 | Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $269.95 | $199.00 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #18 of 103 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #12 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | 35Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 133ms | 175ms |
| Maximum SPL | 105dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | DC Barrel Connector (19V/2.1A) |
| Stereo | Yes | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 4 lbs (1.83 kg) | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) |
| App | No | Yes (Harman Kardon One app) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | None |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.2 |
| Dimensions | 11.7” x 5.4” x 5.3” (298 x 136 x 134 mm) | 10.6” x 11.9” x 6.3” (268 x 302.5 x 159.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 20mm tweeters | 120mm woofer + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Frequency Response | 53.5Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 100W | 50W RMS |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) | No |
| Aux Latency | - | 42ms |
| USB Playback | - | No |
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
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Prices on this page were last checked October 10, 2026 at 5:37 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: $269.95 Amazon eBay
Newer model: the JBL Xtreme 5, ranked higher, rated 4.6/5, released Apr 2026.
Older models: the JBL Xtreme 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.4/5) and the JBL Xtreme (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5). See every JBL Xtreme generation.
Pros: Better treble and deeper bass than the JBL Xtreme 2. More balanced sounding than the JBL Xtreme 4. Measured bass extension of 53Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Boosted bass. Not as deep bass as better speakers. Not as balanced as better speakers.
Full JBL Xtreme 3 review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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 |
| Maximum SPL | 105dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| 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 More from NewStuffTV1 →
- 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… More from Smart Home Sounds →
- 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 →
- NozeeD StudiO: JBL Xtreme 3 vs Tronsmart Force Max Comparison
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tronsmart Halo 100 bluetooth party speaker - their best yet!
- KULAS TECH SHOW: Harman Kardon Citation 200 vs JBL Xtreme3 Sound & Bass test More from KULASTECHSHOW20 →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Onyx Studio 8 vs HK Onyx 6, Xtreme 3, PartyBox Encore, Go+ Play, Bag of Riddim! part 3 of 3
- 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 Soundcore Rave Neo 2
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- JBL Xtreme 3 vs Soundcore Motion Boom
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- See all 90 comparisons
Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8: $199.00 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9, ranked lower, rated 4.1/5, released Dec 2024. It adds party mode, but drops the aux input.
Older models: the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 (ranked lower, rated 4.1/5), the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 (ranked lower, rated 4.1/5), the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 (ranked lower, rated 3.9/5) and the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 (rated 3.3/5). See every Harman Kardon Onyx Studio generation.
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 →
| Released | Sep 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| 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!
- YARNZO Tech: Zealot S79 vs Onyx Studio 8 (indoor sound test) More from YARNZO Tech →
- Alan Ross - The Anti Shill!: 3 tweeters, Auracast, whats not to like! This is shocking!
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