Short answer: the Hopestar A90. It ranks #22 of 91 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 3.9/5, at $351.65. The Zealot S78 ranks #90, rated 2.0/5, at $159.68, $191.97 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The Hopestar A90 is the better-sounding choice. A huge, powerful 700W boombox with eight drivers (two 5” woofers, two 3.5” midranges and four tweeters), a removable 36,000mAh battery and a wireless microphone. It links with other speakers (Auracast), which the Zealot S78 cannot. The tradeoff: The JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2 was the better, more refined listen in a direct comparison.
The Zealot S78 is the longer-running option. A robust 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) party speaker with claimed 120W RMS output, IP67 protection, USB-C charging, a power-bank function, aux, USB and microSD playback, TWS pairing and multiple EQ modes. It is rated for 40 hours of battery against 8 for the Hopestar A90. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Hopestar A90 lacks. The tradeoff: At high volume, reviews report distortion and fluctuating level, so its headline power is more useful below its maximum setting.
Buy the Hopestar A90. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $191.97 with the Zealot S78 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Hopestar A90 | Zealot S78 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $351.65 | $159.68 |
| Ranked | #22 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #90 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Amplifier Power | 700W | 120W RMS / 150W peak |
| Drivers | 2x 5” woofers + 2x 3.5” midranges + 2x 2.5” tweeters + 2x 2” ceramic tweeters | 2x ~120mm (4.72”) woofers + 2x ~42mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| Battery Life | 6-8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| IP Rating | IPX6 | IP67 |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 1 Included | - |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Dimensions | 24.6” x 9.9” x 13.4” (624.5 x 252.5 x 341.5 mm) | 16.1” x 6.6” x 7.3” (410 x 167 x 185 mm) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| EQ | No | Yes (multiple modes) |
| App | No | No |
| Stereo | - | Yes |
| Weight | - | 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC |
| TWS | - | Yes |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
| Power Input | - | USB-C |
| Digital Aux Input | - | No |
| Strap | - | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Hopestar A90 compares with other leading options:
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Hopestar A90
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Hopestar A90
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs Hopestar A90
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Hopestar A90
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Hopestar A90
Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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
Hopestar A90: $351.65 AliExpress eBay
Pros: A huge, powerful 700W boombox with eight drivers (two 5” woofers, two 3.5” midranges and four tweeters), a removable 36,000mAh battery and a wireless microphone. In side by side tests it had better highs, clarity and soundstage than the Zealot ZE21 while still reaching deep, reviewers picked it over the JBL Boombox 4 for its bass and output, and it sounded powerful and true to the music against the JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2. Bluetooth 5.4 with Auracast, IPX6, USB, TF and aux inputs, RGB lights and a strap attachment.
Cons: The JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2 was the better, more refined listen in a direct comparison. The Yeahbox Sonic Boom Ultra measured roughly 3 to 5dB louder. There is no app or EQ. It is very large and heavy (13.2 kg boxed), claims only 6 to 8 hours of battery, and it is sold through AliExpress rather than US retailers.
Full Hopestar A90 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 700W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 6-8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 24.6” x 9.9” x 13.4” (624.5 x 252.5 x 341.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 5” woofers + 2x 3.5” midranges + 2x 2.5” tweeters + 2x 2” ceramic tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| Lights | Yes |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 1 Included |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jagist reviews: Hopestar A90 Vs Jbl Boombox 4!!! Battle Of The Gods!!! More from Jagistreviews →
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Firmware Updated Vs Hopestar A90!!! Rematch Of Beasts!!!
- Jagist reviews: Hopestar A90 Vs Zealot Ze41!!! Battle Of Shear Power!!!
- Jagist reviews: Hopestar A90 Vs Zealot Ze21!!! Deep Bass Vs Powerful Bass!!!
- Jagist reviews: Hopestar A90 Vs Jbl Encore Essential 2!!! Deep Bass Vs Powerhouse Bass!!!
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Zealot S78: $159.68 Amazon AliExpress eBay
Pros: A robust 4.4kg party speaker with claimed 120W RMS output, IP67 protection, USB-C charging, a power-bank function, aux, USB and microSD playback, TWS pairing and multiple EQ modes. Reviews find it very loud with useful bass and long claimed battery life, making it a credible choice for outdoor gatherings.
Cons: At high volume, reviews report distortion and fluctuating level, so its headline power is more useful below its maximum setting. It has no app-based EQ, and the bass and midrange refinement do not match better-established boombox speakers; assess its sound in person if tonal accuracy matters.
Full Zealot S78 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 120W RMS / 150W peak |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 16.1” x 6.6” x 7.3” (410 x 167 x 185 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x ~120mm (4.72”) woofers + 2x ~42mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (multiple modes) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: W-King X20 vs Zealot S78 Bluetooth Boombox Battle Outdoor Tailgater Special 🚗 Let the Whoopin’ Begin More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: DBSOARS F29 Max vs Zealot S78 🛜 (5B) Budget Bluetooth Boombox Basement Battle 🔊 Bass Modes Enabled
- Head-to-Head Comparisons