Short answer: the Soundcore Motion X600. It ranks #19 of 105 large speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $159.99. The Zealot S97 ranks #62, rated 3.4/5, at $78.62, $81.37 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The Soundcore Motion X600 is the better-sounding, lighter option. Firmware 4.2.9 is a big improvement in sound quality over previous releases. At 5.2 lbs (2.35 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the Zealot S97 at 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg). It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the Zealot S97 lacks. Watch for: Stock frequency response is wavy.
What the Zealot S97 does well: For a compact 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) boombox, the S97 delivers unusually deep, clean-enough bass with a more sensible default balance than many inexpensive Zealot models. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Soundcore Motion X600 lacks. Watch for: It is not especially loud for its size, battery life is only a claimed 12 hours, and the bass preset can swamp the rest of the music.
Buy the Soundcore Motion X600. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $81.37 you would save on the Zealot S97 does not close the gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Motion X600 | Zealot S97 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $159.99 | $78.62 |
| Ranked | #19 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #62 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 52Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX6 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 83ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 104dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 5.2 lbs (2.35 kg) | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | LDAC, SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | 3 EQ presets |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Dimensions | 11.8” x 4.8” x 3.2” (300 x 121 x 81 mm) | 12.6” x 7.3” x 5.9” (321 x 185 x 151 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 60mm woofers, 2x 27mm tweeters, 1x 50mm upward-firing driver | 2x 76mm (3”) woofers + 2x 38mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | 80W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | - |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Soundcore Motion X600 compares with other leading options:
- Soundcore Motion X600 vs Vifa Helsinki
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Soundcore Motion X600
- Tribit Stormbox Lava vs Soundcore Motion X600
- Soundcore Motion X600 vs Brane X
- Soundcore Motion X600 vs Minirig 4 with subwoofer
Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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
Soundcore Motion X600: $159.99 Amazon $159.99 B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the Soundcore Motion 100 (smaller model, rated 3.7/5), the Soundcore Motion 300 (smaller model, rated 4.5/5) and the Soundcore Motion X500 (smaller model, ranked lower, rated 4.1/5). See every Soundcore Motion generation.
Pros: Firmware 4.2.9 is a big improvement in sound quality over previous releases. Try this Oluv EQ for the best sound quality. Measured bass extension of 52Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Stock frequency response is wavy. Use spatial mode for best sound quality. Need a different EQ for each volume step. Dip in the upper bass around 120Hz. Rising frequency response, treble a little hot. Would be ranked around #20 without the Oluv EQ. Even with the Oluv EQ the bass isn’t very deep and the sound is still a little unnatural.
Full Soundcore Motion X600 review and specifications →
| Released | May 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 52Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | LDAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 83ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.8” x 4.8” x 3.2” (300 x 121 x 81 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 60mm woofers, 2x 27mm tweeters, 1x 50mm upward-firing driver |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 104dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 5.2 lbs (2.35 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Oluv Patreon: SoundCore Motion X600 vs VIFA Helsinki More from Oluv’Sone →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Motion X600 now tuned by Alan Ross (sort of) Not clickbait! More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: breaking news…..Soundcore Motion X600 with LDAC and spatial audio!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Craziest firmware update ever - Soundcore Motion X600 3.2.8/4.2.8 🤦♀️
- Alan Ross Reviews: Spatial Audio: Soundcore Motion X600 Vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Motion x600 (best speaker ever) or two motion booms?
- Alan Ross Reviews: Longest I have ever been, and I don’t care who sees it! ❤
- Mateusz Cholewa: BOGASING S8 Pro MAX KILLER? vs Soundcore Motion X600 More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: TREBLAB HD-360 (360° Sound) vs Soundcore Motion X600 (Spatial Sound)😮💨 Cornered in Basement Kitchen More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- NeverEnoughTech: soundcore Motion X600 vs. Sonos Move vs. Bose Soundlink Revolve II
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Motion X600 vs JBL Xtreme 3
- Soundcore Motion X600 vs Loewe We. Hear Pro
- Soundcore Motion X600 vs Soundcore Rave Neo 2
- Soundcore Motion X600 vs Bose SoundLink Max
- Soundcore Motion X600 vs B&O Beoplay A2 active
- Soundcore Motion X600 vs Soundcore Select Pro
- Soundcore Motion X600 vs Teufel Rockster Cross
- Soundcore Motion X600 vs Soundcore Motion Boom
- See all 64 comparisons
Zealot S97: $78.62 Amazon $78.62 eBay
Pros: For a compact 3.3kg boombox, the S97 delivers unusually deep, clean-enough bass with a more sensible default balance than many inexpensive Zealot models. It also brings IPX6 protection, aux and microSD playback, power-bank outputs, three EQ presets and PartyAdd linking.
Cons: It is not especially loud for its size, battery life is only a claimed 12 hours, and the bass preset can swamp the rest of the music. There is no app or fine-grained EQ, so the Vocal preset is the only practical way to improve the balance. It is still heavy for a speaker with this output ceiling.
Full Zealot S97 review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 80W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12.6” x 7.3” x 5.9” (321 x 185 x 151 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 76mm (3”) woofers + 2x 38mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | 3 EQ presets |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons