Short answer: the Brane X for the higher ranking, the Zealot S97 for the lower price. The Brane X ranks #4 of 75 large speakers at $500. The Zealot S97 ranks #45 at $65.86, $434.14 cheaper.
The case for the Brane X: Very deep bass, the absolute deepest from this category. The catch: Boosted upper bass ~120hz, rolled off treble, so it’s missing detail up top.
What the Zealot S97 gets right: There is nothing else for $48 with that deep of bass and a reasonable tuning. The tradeoff: Doesn’t get very loud compared to other speakers in this class.
Buy the Brane X if the ranking matters more than the price. Buy the Zealot S97 if the price matters more than the ranking.
Specifications Side By Side
| Brane X | Zealot S97 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $500 | $65.86 with coupon YZZL10 |
| Ranked | #4 of 75 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #45 of 75 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 295ms default, 33ms with aux pass-through | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 31Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC | SBC |
| IP Rating | IP57 | IPX6 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms | - |
| Max Volume | 106dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Up to 8 speakers on wifi) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power brick | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 7.7 lbs / 3.5 kg | 7.3 lbs / 3.3 kg |
| Wifi | Yes | - |
| App | No | No |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | 3 EQ presets |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Dimensions | 9.3" x 7.0" x 6.1" (236 x 178 x 155 mm) | 12.6" x 7.3" x 5.9" (321 x 185 x 151 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.5" midrange, 2x 0.75" tweeters + 6.5"x9" subwoofer | 2x 76mm (3") woofers + 2x 38mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 30Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Output Power | 200W | 80W |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.2 |
The Two Speakers In Full
Brane X: $500 Amazon
Pros: Very deep bass, the absolute deepest from this category. Medium bass boost is the most balanced.
Cons: Boosted upper bass ~120hz, rolled off treble, so it’s missing detail up top. Battery life isn’t great in real world use. High priced. Annoying robot voice announcements. A lot of aux input latency.
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 295ms default, 33ms with aux pass-through |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 31Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Dimensions | 9.3" x 7.0" x 6.1" (236 x 178 x 155 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.5" midrange, 2x 0.75" tweeters + 6.5"x9" subwoofer |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 30Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP57 |
| Max Volume | 106dB |
| Output Power | 200W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Up to 8 speakers on wifi) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 7.7 lbs / 3.5 kg |
| Wifi | Yes |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: This speaker left me shocked! Brane X, they said it defies the laws of physics!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Brane X vs JBL Xtreme 5: Maximum Bass, No Mercy
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 4 HUMILIATES Brane X?! Ultimate Bass Battle!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Minirig 2.1 or the Brane X or the Harman Kardon Go Play 3?
- mark: Brane X Speaker Review 2
- mark: Brane X Speaker Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
Zealot S97: $65.86 with coupon YZZL10 Aliexpress
Pros: There is nothing else for $48 with that deep of bass and a reasonable tuning
Cons: Doesn’t get very loud compared to other speakers in this class. Short battery life. Pretty heavy. Many say the S67 has deeper bass, but also gets more distorted
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Dimensions | 12.6" x 7.3" x 5.9" (321 x 185 x 151 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 76mm (3") woofers + 2x 38mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | 3 EQ presets |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Output Power | 80W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs / 3.3 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.