Short answer: the JBL Xtreme 5 on measured sound quality, the Zealot S79 on price. The JBL Xtreme 5 ranks #2 of 85 large speakers, rated 4.6/5, at $399.95. The Zealot S79 ranks #41, rated 3.6/5, at $106.97, $292.98 cheaper.
The case for the JBL Xtreme 5: Removable battery. The catch: High priced.
What the Zealot S79 does well: Loud with plenty of bass and a wider soundstage than the JBL Xtreme 3, which it beats at full volume. Watch for: At moderate volume the JBL Xtreme 3 is cleaner and more balanced, and one reviewer preferred the JBL Xtreme 4 in every way.
Buy the JBL Xtreme 5 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Zealot S79 if the price matters more than sound quality.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the Zealot S79 is rated for 50 hours, the JBL Xtreme 5 only 28 hours.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Xtreme 5 | Zealot S79 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.95 | $106.97 |
| Ranked | #2 of 85 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #41 of 85 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | No | - |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 50+ hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | - |
| IP Rating | IP68 | - |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/3A) | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | - |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 | - |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 13.6” x 6.5” x 6.1” (346 x 165 x 155 mm) | 13.4” x 7.2” x 5.7” (340 x 184 x 146 mm) |
| Drivers | 98x145mm woofer, 2x 20mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators | 2 woofers + 2 tweeters |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 1 x 90W RMS Woofer + 2 x 20W RMS Tweeter (AC power mode) 1 x 60W RMS Woofer + 2 x 15W RMS Tweeter (Battery mode) | 100W (150W peak) |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | - |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Xtreme 5:
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Vifa Helsinki
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Tribit Stormbox Lava
- Brane X vs JBL Xtreme 5
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Minirig 4 with subwoofer
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Minirig 3 with subwoofer
Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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 Xtreme 5: $399.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Older models: the JBL Xtreme 3 (ranked lower, rated 4.3/5), the JBL Xtreme 4 (ranked lower, rated 3.8/5), the JBL Xtreme 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.4/5) and the JBL Xtreme (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5).
Pros: Removable battery. Quite deep bass, reaching well below 40Hz. A fantastic sounding speaker with excellent off-axis dispersion, a big step up from older JBL portables. Beats the Soundcore Boom 2 and Tribit Stormbox Blast on bass depth and clarity. Plays clean at volume, unlike the JBL Boombox 4.
Cons: High priced. Some bass boost. A hole in the mid-upper bass which can’t be EQ’d out. Default EQ presets are weak (Signature is boring, Chill and Vocal are close to unusable): needs the custom EQ to sound its best. Bigger and heavier than the Xtreme 4.
Setup: Try this Oluv EQ for the most neutral sound
Full JBL Xtreme 5 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 1 x 90W RMS Woofer + 2 x 20W RMS Tweeter (AC power mode) 1 x 60W RMS Woofer + 2 x 15W RMS Tweeter (Battery mode) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 13.6” x 6.5” x 6.1” (346 x 165 x 155 mm) |
| Drivers | 98x145mm woofer, 2x 20mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/3A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone🔈3DAudio🎧& Music: JBL Xtreme 5 - universal EQ for best sound overall More from Oluv’Sone →
- Joy & Oluv’Sone🔈3DAudio🎧& Music: JBL Xtreme 5 - Best Bluetooth Speaker 2026 award
- Joy & Oluv’Sone🔈3DAudio🎧& Music: JBL Xtreme 5 vs Studio Monitors: too V-shaped or not to V-shaped, that’s the question!
- Joy & Oluv’Sone🔈3DAudio🎧& Music: JBL Xtreme 5 - outdoor test
- Joy & Oluv’Sone🔈3DAudio🎧& Music: Minirigs 4 with Sub 4 vs JBL Xtreme 5 - 1st impressions
- Oluv Patreon: VIFA Helsinki & JBL Xtreme 5 - listening test
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Xtreme 5 - 1st detailed impression with custom EQs
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Xtreme 5 - outdoor test
- Alan Ross Reviews: Brane X vs JBL Xtreme 5: Maximum Bass, No Mercy More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 5 2026, massive upgrade over JBL Xtreme 4! Full tests!
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 5 vs JBL Xtreme 4 in 2026
- Alan Ross Reviews: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5ImoaGw3t0
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 5 or the amazing Tribit Stormbox Blast? 🤔
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Zealot S79: $106.97 Amazon eBay
Pros: Loud with plenty of bass and a wider soundstage than the JBL Xtreme 3, which it beats at full volume. A huge 24,000mAh battery with a claimed 50+ hours doubles as a power bank, and it adds RGB lights, a shoulder strap, EQ modes and stereo pairing.
Cons: At moderate volume the JBL Xtreme 3 is cleaner and more balanced, and one reviewer preferred the JBL Xtreme 4 in every way. Its bass boost mode sounds muddy and can distort past about 70% volume, so it is best left on the normal EQ. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8 digs deeper in the bass.
Full Zealot S79 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 100W (150W peak) |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 50+ hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 13.4” x 7.2” x 5.7” (340 x 184 x 146 mm) |
| Drivers | 2 woofers + 2 tweeters |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons