Short answer: the JBL Boombox 4 for better sound quality, the Zealot ZE01 for the lower price. The JBL Boombox 4 ranks #17 of 73 boombox speakers at $549.95. The Zealot ZE01 ranks #25 at $126.02, $423.93 cheaper.
The case for the JBL Boombox 4: It has pretty insane output capability for its size. The catch: it’s pretty overpriced for the category, only really improves on the Boombox 3 because it has 7 EQ bands instead of 3 and can be better tuned (try Oluv’s EQ for it), sounds worse than the Boombox 3 out of the box, and drops the Aux input.
What the Zealot ZE01 gets right: It appears to use the same internals as the S95. Set against that: it’s a little rolled off up top and not that balanced through the rest of the range, with clarity that isn’t as good as better speakers.
Buy the JBL Boombox 4 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Zealot ZE01 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Boombox 4 | Zealot ZE01 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549.95 | $126.02 |
| Ranked | #17 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #25 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes (multiple modes) |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IPX6 |
| Bluetooth Latency | AAC 144ms, SBC 48ms | - |
| Max Volume | 115dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs / 5.98 kg | 13.2 lbs / 6.0 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, LC3, AAC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, up to 30W) | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| FM Tuner | No | - |
| Microphone Input | No | - |
| MicroSD Playback | No | Yes |
| Output Power | 210W AC / 200W battery | 120W RMS / 150W peak |
| Dimensions | 20.1" x 10.2" x 8.3" (510 x 260 x 210 mm) | 13.1" x 11.2" x 8.1" (332 x 284 x 207 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 123mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators | Dual 120mm speakers + dual 42mm speakers |
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Boombox 4: $549.95 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: Pretty insane output capability for the size.
Cons: Pretty overpriced for the category. Better than the Boombox 3 mostly because there are more 7 EQ bands instead of just 3 and it can be better tuned. Try Oluv’s EQ for it. Out of the box sounds worse than the Boombox 3. No Aux input.
Full JBL Boombox 4 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, LC3, AAC |
| Bluetooth Latency | AAC 144ms, SBC 48ms |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 20.1" x 10.2" x 8.3" (510 x 260 x 210 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 123mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Max Volume | 115dB |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Output Power | 210W AC / 200W battery |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, up to 30W) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs / 5.98 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 vs Boombox 3 - old one sounding better? 🤔
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 vs Earfun UBoom X - sound test
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 vs Boombox 3 - any improvement?
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 vs Partybox Encore 2 - outdoor loudness & basstest
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 - finally a real BOOMbox from JBL 👏
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 4 HUMILIATES Brane X?! Ultimate Bass Battle!
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 4 Compared to Boombox 3 & 3 WiFi – Worth the Upgrade?
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 4 distortion fest bonanza! how bad can it be lol 🤣
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Vs Zealot Ze21!!!
- Techder Audios: JBL Boombox 4 VS Zealot ZE21 BATTLE OF THE BOOMBOXES!
- Dominik Reviews: Zealot S89 vs JBL Boombox 4 - JBL Alternative? Sound Test
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Vs Zealot S89!!!
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Vs Zealot S95!!!
- Reddit Search for JBL Boombox 4 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Boombox 4 vs Zealot S89
- JBL Boombox 4 vs Zealot ZE21
- JBL Boombox 4 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5
- JBL Boombox 4 vs Zealot ZE41
- JBL Boombox 4 vs JBL Boombox 3 Wifi
- JBL Boombox 4 vs JBL Boombox 3
- JBL Boombox 4 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9
- JBL Boombox 4 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
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Zealot ZE01: $126.02 Aliexpress Amazon
Pros: Appears to be the same internals as the S95
Cons: A little rolled off up top and not that balanced through the rest of the range. Clarity isn’t as good as better speakers.
Full Zealot ZE01 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 13.1" x 11.2" x 8.1" (332 x 284 x 207 mm) |
| Drivers | Dual 120mm speakers + dual 42mm speakers |
| EQ | Yes (multiple modes) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Output Power | 120W RMS / 150W peak |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs / 6.0 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Bullionix_Gadgets_Reviews: ZEALOT ZE-01 VS ZEALOT S-95! 😱: Sound Comparison!!!
- Techder Audios: ZEALOT S89 VS ZEALOT ZE01 EXTREME POWERFULL VS COMPACTER BASS PERFORMANCE!
- Techder Audios: Zealot ZE01 VS Tronsmart Bang Max SOLID VOCALS VS DEEPER BASS
- Techder Audios: Zealot ZE01 VS Xdobo BMTL Wow Max DEEPER BASS VS LOUDER BASS?!
- Reddit Search for Zealot ZE01 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons