Short answer: the JBL Authentics 300 if sound quality matters most, the Zealot S78 if price matters most. The JBL Authentics 300 ranks #30 of 73 boombox speakers at $299.95. The Zealot S78 ranks #73 at $159.68, $140.27 cheaper.
What the JBL Authentics 300 offers: Integrates both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant simultaneously (rare for smart speakers). Retro seventies design with leather and Quadrex grille. 100-watt amp, carries well with leather-trimmed handle. Rechargeable battery rated ~8 hours. Watch for: Narrow sounding, bass not as deep as others. Peaky upper mids. No TWS. No IP rating. Not as loud as others. Not much battery life.
What the Zealot S78 offers: 120W RMS output with 150W peak power, exceptional 40-hour battery life, power bank function, IP67 waterproof, EQ with multiple modes, dual woofers with tweeters and passive radiators, MicroSD and USB playback, AUX input, TWS stereo pairing, USB-C charging Watch for: Gets distorted above 50%. Not much bass. Volume level fluctuates at high volume.
Buy the JBL Authentics 300 when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Zealot S78 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Zealot S78. It ranks near the bottom of the 73 boombox speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the Zealot S78 is rated for 40 hours, the JBL Authentics 300 only 8 hours.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the Zealot S78 at IP67 (brief submersion) against the JBL Authentics 300, which has no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Authentics 300 | Zealot S78 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.95 | $159.68 |
| Ranked | #30 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #73 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | Yes (multiple modes) |
| IP Rating | None | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 100dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi Multi-Room) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cable | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg | 9.7 lbs / 4.4 kg |
| Wifi | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A) |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| MicroSD Playback | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Output Power | 100W | 120W RMS / 150W peak |
| Dimensions | 13.5" x 7.7" x 7.1" (342 x 195.6 x 180.3 mm) | 16.1" x 6.6" x 7.3" (410 x 167 x 185 mm) |
| Drivers | 1" tweeter + 4" woofer + passive radiators | 2x ~120mm (4.72") woofers + 2x ~42mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
A few more comparisons worth a look in the same class:
- JBL Boombox 2 vs W-King X10
- JBL Boombox 2 vs W-King D10
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 vs JBL Boombox 2
- Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 vs Zealot S78
- JBL Partybox On the Go vs Zealot S78
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
JBL Authentics 300: $299.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: Integrates both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant simultaneously (rare for smart speakers). Retro seventies design with leather and Quadrex grille. 100-watt amp, carries well with leather-trimmed handle. Rechargeable battery rated ~8 hours.
Cons: Narrow sounding, bass not as deep as others. Peaky upper mids. No TWS. No IP rating. Not as loud as others. Not much battery life.
Full JBL Authentics 300 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 13.5" x 7.7" x 7.1" (342 x 195.6 x 180.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 1" tweeter + 4" woofer + passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Max Volume | 100dB |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 100W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi Multi-Room) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg |
| Wifi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Authentics 300 - sound quality test More from Oluv’Sone →
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Authentics 300 - update
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Authentics 300 - listening session
- Alan Ross Reviews: Not quite! JBL Authentics 300 review and sound test vs Boombox 3, Encore and Stormbox Blast More from alanrossreviews →
- Reddit Search for JBL Authentics 300 Review
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Zealot S78: $159.68 Amazon Aliexpress eBay
Pros: 120W RMS output with 150W peak power, exceptional 40-hour battery life, power bank function, IP67 waterproof, EQ with multiple modes, dual woofers with tweeters and passive radiators, MicroSD and USB playback, AUX input, TWS stereo pairing, USB-C charging
Cons: Gets distorted above 50%. Not much bass. Volume level fluctuates at high volume.
Full Zealot S78 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 |
| Output Power | 120W RMS / 150W peak |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 9.7 lbs / 4.4 kg |
- 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
- Reddit Search for Zealot S78 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons