Short answer: the JBL Xtreme 3. It ranks #18 of 120 large speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $269.95. The Zealot S79 ranks #52, rated 3.6/5, at $106.97, $162.98 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
At 60 percent volume the JBL Xtreme 3 wins: it is cleaner with better highs, while the Zealot S79 sounds slightly veiled. At 100 percent the result flips. The JBL turns mostly to treble with little bass left, while the Zealot keeps more and deeper bass and fills a room with a wider soundstage.
The Zealot’s bass boost EQ adds bass but gives up loudness and highs, and it can distort past about 70 percent volume, so its normal or voice mode is the better choice. The JBL stays clean across its range.
The S79 has a far bigger battery with a claimed 50+ hours, RGB lights and a shoulder strap. The Xtreme 3 has IP67 protection, a more refined sound at everyday levels and a proven track record.
Buy the JBL Xtreme 3. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $162.98 you would save on the Zealot S79 does not close the gap.
Battery life favors the Zealot S79: rated for 50 hours against 15 hours for the JBL Xtreme 3.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Prices on this page were last checked November 11, 2026 at 3:26 AM 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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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Xtreme 3 | Zealot S79 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $269.95 | $106.97 |
| Ranked | #18 of 120 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #52 of 120 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 50+ hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 133ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 105dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 4 lbs (1.83 kg) | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| EQ | No | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX6 |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 11.7” x 5.4” x 5.3” (298 x 136 x 134 mm) | 13.4” x 7.2” x 5.7” (340 x 184 x 146 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 20mm tweeters | 2 woofers + 2 tweeters |
| Frequency Response | 53.5Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 100W | 100W (150W peak) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| Lights | - | Yes |
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