Short answer: the Skullcandy Barrel. It ranks #60 of 112 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 3.2/5, at $157.40. The Zealot S78 ranks #110, rated 2.0/5, at $91.38, $66.02 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The Skullcandy Barrel is the better-sounding option. A water resistant party speaker with a synced light show, bass boost and linking for many speakers. The tradeoff: Not as deep bass as the top ranked speakers.
The Zealot S78 is the longer-running pick. A loud, rugged party speaker with full waterproofing, a power bank and wireless pairing for outdoor parties. It is rated for 40 hours of battery against 12 for the Skullcandy Barrel. Watch for: At high volume, reviews report distortion and fluctuating level, so its headline power is more useful below its maximum setting.
Buy the Skullcandy Barrel. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $66.02 with the Zealot S78 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A water resistant party speaker with a synced light show, bass boost and linking for many speakers.
A loud, rugged party speaker with full waterproofing, a power bank and wireless pairing for outdoor parties.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Specifications Side By Side
| Skullcandy Barrel | Zealot S78 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $157.40 | $91.38 |
| Ranked | #60 of 112 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #110 of 112 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~50Hz | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) | 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | Yes (Skullcandy app) | No |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | Yes (multiple modes) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A) |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| FM Tuner | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 60W | 120W RMS / 150W peak |
| Dimensions | 11.8” x 22.1” x 9.6” (300 x 560.1 x 243.8 mm) | 16.1” x 6.6” x 7.3” (410 x 167 x 185 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 20mm drivers | 2x ~120mm (4.72”) woofers + 2x ~42mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 104dB (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
| Strap | - | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Skullcandy Barrel: