Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore 2 for the higher ranking, the Zealot ZE41 for the lower price. The JBL Partybox Encore 2 ranks #4 of 70 boombox speakers at $330. The Zealot ZE41 ranks #14 at $219.95, $110.05 cheaper.
What the JBL Partybox Encore 2 gets right: Appears to have better off axis performance due to the move to dome tweeters over cone. The catch: Missing a little bit of upper bass.
On the Zealot ZE41 side: The absolute best value for the bass performance, play time and max volume in the boombox class. Set against that: The heaviest and biggest boombox speaker around.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore 2 if the ranking matters more than the price. Buy the Zealot ZE41 if the price matters more than the ranking.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore 2 | Zealot ZE41 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $330 | $219.95 |
| Ranked | #4 of 70 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #14 of 70 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Built in Microphone | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (7 band App EQ) | Yes (Vocal, Bass Boost, Normal modes) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX5 |
| Max Volume | 110dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes |
| Power Bank | Yes | - |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | Type-C |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 14.1 lbs / 6.4 kg | 25.3 lbs / 11.48 kg |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 2 Included | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Output Power | 100W RMS | 300W |
| Dimensions | 12.58" x 13.33" x 10.35" (319.5 x 338.6 x 263 mm) | 56.2cm x 23.8cm x 33.1cm (22.1" x 9.4" x 13") |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25") woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75") dome tweeters | 191x130mm 140W subwoofer + 2x 93mm 60W midrange drivers + 2x 42mm 20W tweeters |
| Battery Capacity | - | 48000mAh (12x4000mAh) |
| Frequency Response | - | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | - | Yes (Karaoke mode) |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Partybox Encore 2: $330 Samsclub
Pros: Appears to have better off axis performance due to the move to dome tweeters over cone. A little less rolled off in the highs than the first Encore. Goes slightly deeper than the old Encore. Includes 2 wireless microphones. Better battery life than the first Encore.
Cons: Missing a little bit of upper bass.
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Dimensions | 12.58" x 13.33" x 10.35" (319.5 x 338.6 x 263 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25") woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75") dome tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (7 band App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Max Volume | 110dB |
| Output Power | 100W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 14.1 lbs / 6.4 kg |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 2 Included |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL giving it to us large! The good, The bad, The diabolical!
- M1M Tech Channel: Partybox Killer? 2x Earfun UBoom X stärker als JBL Encore 2 ?
- M1M Tech Channel: JBL Partybox Encore 2 Ein fettes Bass Upgrade
- Mateusz Cholewa: JBL Partybox ENCORE 2👌FULL TEST🆚 JBL Partybox ENCORE 1
- Mateusz Cholewa: Jbl Partybox Encore 2 📦UNBOXING. Short TEST AUDIO z ENCORE 1👌
- Mateusz Cholewa: JBL Encore 2 Partybox Deep Bass 🆚 Jbl Boombox 3 WiFi 🎶
- Dominik Reviews: JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Boombox 3 WiFi - Sound Test - Wide vs Narrow Soundstage!
- M1M Tech Channel: JBL Partybox Encore 2 Ein fettes Bass Upgrade
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Earfun Uboom X
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Boombox 4
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Boombox 3 Wifi
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
- See all 14 comparisons
- Links
Zealot ZE41: $219.95 Aliexpress Amazon
Pros: The absolute best value for the bass performance, play time and max volume in the boombox class.
Cons: The heaviest and biggest boombox speaker around. A little rolled off up top and not that balanced through the rest of the range. Clarity isn’t as good as better speakers. Bass EQ is bloated and muddy sounding.
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Capacity | 48000mAh (12x4000mAh) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 56.2cm x 23.8cm x 33.1cm (22.1" x 9.4" x 13") |
| Drivers | 191x130mm 140W subwoofer + 2x 93mm 60W midrange drivers + 2x 42mm 20W tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (Vocal, Bass Boost, Normal modes) |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode) |
| Output Power | 300W |
| Party Mode | Yes |
| Power Input | Type-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 25.3 lbs / 11.48 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jagist reviews: Zealot Ze41 Vs Zealot Ze21!!! Battle Of The Bass Brothers!!! 👀👀👀
- Jagist reviews: Yeahbox Sonic Boom Ultra Vs Zealot Ze41!!! Battle Of Big Boys!!! 😜😜😜
- Techder Audios: Zealot ZE41 VS JBL Boombox 4 “BOOSTED BASS VS BOOSTED TREBLE!?”
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Vs Zealot Ze41!!! Sheer Power Vs Great Clarity!!! 😍😍😍
- Jagist reviews: Zealot Ze41 Bass Test!!! Power!!! 🤯🤯🤯
- 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.