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Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 · White — Smart/Portable · $399
Harman Kardon

Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 · White

Smart/Portable · $399

85
/ 100
From $399
VS
Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) wins by 3
Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) — Spatial Audio · Siri · Matter hub
Apple

Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)

Spatial Audio · Siri · Matter hub

88
/ 100
From $299
Specdex verdict

Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 · White lands at 85 and Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) at 88. That puts Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) ahead by 3 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 · White if…

  • ✓Easy multi-room with ecosystem
  • ✓App EQ on modern models
  • ✓USB-C/AUX input on some

Pick Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) if…

  • ✓Best mono speaker sound at this price
  • ✓Built-in Matter hub
  • ✓Adaptive room sensing
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Sound

Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)

Compared on the sound sub-score

Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) leads on sound (92 vs 85).

Features

Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)

Compared on the features sub-score

Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) leads on features (88 vs 83).

Value for money

Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) more score per dollar ($299 vs $399).

Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 · White 85
vs
88 Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)

Score breakdown

Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 · White
85
sound 85
features 83
design 88
ecosystem 84
ease 0
value 0
Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)
88
sound 92
features 88
design 0
ecosystem 0
ease 96
value 84

Specs side-by-side

Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 · White versus Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) — full spec comparison
Spec Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 · White Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)
Drivers
—
4″ woofer + 5 tweeters
Connectivity
—
Wi-Fi 6, BT 5.0, Thread, Matter
Voice
—
Siri
Spatial
—
Dolby Atmos Music
Trueplay tuning
—
Auto room-sensing
Weight
—
2.3 kg

Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 · White

Pros
  • +Easy multi-room with ecosystem
  • +App EQ on modern models
  • +USB-C/AUX input on some
Cons
  • −Brand ecosystem lock-in
  • −Subscription features on some
  • −Bass limits at lower sizes

Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)

Pros
  • +Best mono speaker sound at this price
  • +Built-in Matter hub
  • +Adaptive room sensing
Cons
  • −Apple ecosystem only
  • −No 3.5mm input
  • −No Spotify Connect (still 2025!)

FAQ: Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 · White vs Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)

Which is better, Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 · White or Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)? +

Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) scores 88 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 3. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 · White worth the price? +

At $399, Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 · White delivers a Specdex score of 85 — strongest in design.

Is Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) worth the price? +

At $299, Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in ease.

Does Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 · White or Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for sound, Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 · White or Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)? +

Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) — leads on sound (92 vs 85). Compared on the sound sub-score.

Which is better for features, Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 · White or Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)? +

Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) — leads on features (88 vs 83). Compared on the features sub-score.