Short answer: the Pioneer PBM5, though neither ranks well in its class. Both are rated 2.0/5 for sound quality (#89 and #88 of 89 boombox speakers), and the Pioneer PBM5 costs $149 against $159.68 for the Zealot S78, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 89 boombox speakers, so if sound quality matters, consider the Tribit Stormbox Blast instead, ranked #2 at $179.99.
Why pick the Pioneer PBM5: Loud for its size: Williston Audio Labs measured about 105 dB at 2 meters, louder than the Turtlebox Original Gen3 and Kicker Bullfrog BF400 in the same test. The tradeoff: Williston Audio Labs was not impressed with its sound: there is very little bass below 100Hz, and the amplifier’s output has a big dip from 1.6kHz to 10kHz that leaves the upper mids and treble recessed.
Why pick the Zealot S78: A robust 4.4kg party speaker with claimed 120W RMS output, IP67 protection, USB-C charging, a power-bank function, aux, USB and microSD playback, TWS pairing and multiple EQ modes. The catch: At high volume, reviews report distortion and fluctuating level, so its headline power is more useful below its maximum setting.
Buy the Pioneer PBM5. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $10.68 less than the Zealot S78.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Pioneer PBM5 | Zealot S78 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.00 | $159.68 |
| Ranked | #89 of 89 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #88 of 89 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Amplifier Power | 300W peak (Manufacturer specified), about 90W measured | 120W RMS / 150W peak |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 13 hours at 60% volume (Manufacturer specified) | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | - |
| Dimensions | 8.9”H x 17.4”W x 8.1”D (226 x 442 x 207 mm) | 16.1” x 6.6” x 7.3” (410 x 167 x 185 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 133mm (5.25”) woofers + 2x 51mm (2”) tweeters | 2x ~120mm (4.72”) woofers + 2x ~42mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (presets + user EQ) | Yes (multiple modes) |
| Guitar Input | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | IPX5 | IP67 |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Maximum SPL | 105dB at 2m (measured by Williston Audio Labs) | - |
| Microphone Input | Yes (2 inputs) | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C or AC Power cord | USB-C |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes (MP3 only) | Yes |
| Weight | 14.1 lbs (6.4 kg) | 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
| Stereo | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
| Digital Aux Input | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Zealot S78 compares with other leading options:
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Zealot S78
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs Zealot S78
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Zealot S78
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Zealot S78
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Zealot S78
Prices on this page were last checked September 29, 2026 at 3:43 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
Pioneer PBM5: $149.00 Sam’s Club eBay
Pros: Loud for its size: Williston Audio Labs measured about 105 dB at 2 meters, louder than the Turtlebox Original Gen3 and Kicker Bullfrog BF400 in the same test. Two 5.25 inch woofers and two 2 inch tweeters with a port tuned to 48Hz, two microphone inputs plus a guitar input with bass, treble and reverb controls for the mics, aux and USB playback, IPX5 splash resistance, RGB lights, a shoulder strap, Bluetooth 5.4 with Auracast, and charging from either USB-C or the included AC cord. A rated 13 hours at 60% volume.
Cons: Williston Audio Labs was not impressed with its sound: there is very little bass below 100Hz, and the amplifier’s output has a big dip from 1.6kHz to 10kHz that leaves the upper mids and treble recessed. None of the EQ presets fixed it, and a 1990 JVC boombox sounded cleaner. The amp measured about 90W in total, not the claimed 300W, and only about 23W per woofer channel on battery. USB playback is MP3 only, there is no audio output and no microphone in the box, and it is sold only at Sam’s Club.
Full Pioneer PBM5 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 300W peak (Manufacturer specified), about 90W measured |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 13 hours at 60% volume (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 8.9”H x 17.4”W x 8.1”D (226 x 442 x 207 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 133mm (5.25”) woofers + 2x 51mm (2”) tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (presets + user EQ) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 105dB at 2m (measured by Williston Audio Labs) |
| Microphone Input | Yes (2 inputs) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Input | USB-C or AC Power cord |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes (MP3 only) |
| Weight | 14.1 lbs (6.4 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Zealot S78: $159.68 Amazon AliExpress eBay
Pros: A robust 4.4kg party speaker with claimed 120W RMS output, IP67 protection, USB-C charging, a power-bank function, aux, USB and microSD playback, TWS pairing and multiple EQ modes. Reviews find it very loud with useful bass and long claimed battery life, making it a credible choice for outdoor gatherings.
Cons: At high volume, reviews report distortion and fluctuating level, so its headline power is more useful below its maximum setting. It has no app-based EQ, and the bass and midrange refinement do not match better-established boombox speakers; assess its sound in person if tonal accuracy matters.
Full Zealot S78 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 120W RMS / 150W peak |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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 |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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