Short answer: the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 if sound quality matters most, the Zealot S61 if price matters most. The Harman Kardon Esquire 2 ranks #120 of 136 medium speakers at $200. The Zealot S61 ranks #134 at $20, $180 cheaper.
What the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 offers: Doubles as a conferencing speakerphone with a 4-mic array and noise/echo cancellation. Flat, compact design packs easily. USB charge-out for topping off a phone. Watch for: Bass is weak, vocal and instrument separation is underwhelming and sounds tinny at high volume
What the Zealot S61 offers: 20W output, IPX7 waterproof, exceptional 40-hour battery life, Bluetooth 5.2, TWS stereo pairing, compact 665g design, single full-range driver, built-in microphone, AUX input, USB-C charging Watch for: Sounds like a soup can, no bass at all. Weird frequency response all over.
Buy the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Zealot S61 if the price is the priority over sound quality.
Neither of these is a sound-quality pick. Look higher up the 136 medium speakers if that is what you are optimizing for.
If battery life is a priority, the Zealot S61 is rated for 40 hours versus 8 hours for the Harman Kardon Esquire 2.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the Zealot S61 at IPX7 (brief submersion) against the Harman Kardon Esquire 2, which has IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Esquire 2 | Zealot S61 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $200 Discontinued | $20 |
| Ranked | #120 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #134 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.2 |
| Dimensions | 7.5" x 5.1" x 1.3" (190 x 130 x 34 mm) | 4.1" x 4.1" x 6.7" (103 x 103 x 170 mm) |
| Drivers | 4x 1.25" (32mm) full-range drivers | 66mm full-range |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | No | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Output Power | 16W | 20W |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs / 0.35 kg | 1.5 lbs / 665 g |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX7 |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
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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
Harman Kardon Esquire 2: $200 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Doubles as a conferencing speakerphone with a 4-mic array and noise/echo cancellation. Flat, compact design packs easily. USB charge-out for topping off a phone.
Cons: Bass is weak, vocal and instrument separation is underwhelming and sounds tinny at high volume. Discontinued.
Full Harman Kardon Esquire 2 review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.5" x 5.1" x 1.3" (190 x 130 x 34 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 4x 1.25" (32mm) full-range drivers |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 16W |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs / 0.35 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Harman Kardon Esquire 2 vs Ultimate Ears Roll 2
- Harman Kardon Esquire 2 vs LG Xboom Go PL5
- Harman Kardon Esquire 2 vs Sony SRS-XE200
- Harman Kardon Esquire 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini+
- Harman Kardon Esquire 2 vs Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4
- Harman Kardon Esquire 2 vs W-King D8 Mini
- See all 71 comparisons
Zealot S61: $20 Amazon Aliexpress eBay
Pros: 20W output, IPX7 waterproof, exceptional 40-hour battery life, Bluetooth 5.2, TWS stereo pairing, compact 665g design, single full-range driver, built-in microphone, AUX input, USB-C charging
Cons: Sounds like a soup can, no bass at all. Weird frequency response all over.
Full Zealot S61 review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.1" x 4.1" x 6.7" (103 x 103 x 170 mm) |
| Drivers | 66mm full-range |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 20W |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 665 g |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons