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

Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 · Sunset Red

Smart/Portable · $399

85
/ 100
From $399
VS
Bose Home Speaker 500 wins by 1
Bose Home Speaker 500 — Smart/Portable · $549
Bose

Bose Home Speaker 500

Smart/Portable · $549

86
/ 100
From $549
Specdex verdict

Bose Home Speaker 500 takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 · Sunset Red lands at 85 and Bose Home Speaker 500 at 86. That puts Bose Home Speaker 500 ahead by 1 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 · Sunset Red if…

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

Pick Bose Home Speaker 500 if…

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

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

Design

Tie

Compared on the design sub-score

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Sound

Tie

Compared on the sound sub-score

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Ecosystem

Tie

Compared on the ecosystem sub-score

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Value for money

Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 · Sunset Red

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 · Sunset Red more score per dollar ($399 vs $549).

Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 · Sunset Red 85
vs
86 Bose Home Speaker 500

Score breakdown

Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 · Sunset Red
85
sound 85
features 83
design 88
ecosystem 84
Bose Home Speaker 500
86
sound 86
features 84
design 88
ecosystem 84

Specs side-by-side

Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 · Sunset Red versus Bose Home Speaker 500 — full spec comparison
Spec Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 · Sunset Red Bose Home Speaker 500

Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 · Sunset Red

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

Bose Home Speaker 500

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

FAQ: Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 · Sunset Red vs Bose Home Speaker 500

Which is better, Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 · Sunset Red or Bose Home Speaker 500? +

Bose Home Speaker 500 scores 86 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 1. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

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

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

Is Bose Home Speaker 500 worth the price? +

At $549, Bose Home Speaker 500 delivers a Specdex score of 86 — strongest in design.

Does Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 · Sunset Red or Bose Home Speaker 500 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 the better value, Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 · Sunset Red or Bose Home Speaker 500? +

Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 · Sunset Red — more score per dollar ($399 vs $549). Specdex score per dollar at MSRP.