Short answer: the Zealot S89. It ranks #16 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $246.99; the JBL Authentics 300 ranks #30 and costs $299.95, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Zealot S89 offers: A great value for the bass performance, play time and max volume in the boombox class. Likely the same internals as the Zealot ZE21 Watch for: On the heavy side. A little rolled off up top and not that balanced through the rest of the range. Clarity isn’t as good as better speakers. Bass EQ is bloated and muddy sounding
What the JBL Authentics 300 offers: Integrates both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant simultaneously (rare for smart speakers). Retro seventies design with leather and Quadrex grille. 100-watt amp, carries well with leather-trimmed handle. Rechargeable battery rated ~8 hours. Watch for: Narrow sounding, bass not as deep as others. Peaky upper mids. No TWS. No IP rating. Not as loud as others. Not much battery life.
Buy the Zealot S89. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Authentics 300 and costs less, so the other one has nothing left to offer.
If battery life is a priority, the Zealot S89 is rated for 40 hours versus 8 hours for the JBL Authentics 300.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the Zealot S89 at IPX6 (powerful water jets) against the JBL Authentics 300, which has no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Zealot S89 | JBL Authentics 300 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $246.99 | $299.95 |
| Ranked | #16 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #30 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (multiple modes) | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 | None |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Wi-Fi Multi-Room) |
| Power Input | USB-C | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Yes | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 16.1 lbs / 7.3 kg | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) | No |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Output Power | 250W | 100W |
| Dimensions | 21.2" x 10.4" x 9.4" (538 x 265 x 240 mm) | 13.5" x 7.7" x 7.1" (342 x 195.6 x 180.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 130W subwoofer + 2x 40mm drivers + 2x tweeters | 1" tweeter + 4" woofer + passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Max Volume | - | 100dB |
| Wifi | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
Other pairings from the same speaker class worth checking:
- Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 vs Zealot ZE21
- Zealot ZE21 vs JBL Partybox On the Go
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 vs Zealot ZE21
- Zealot S89 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
- Zealot S89 vs JBL Partybox On the Go
Prices on this page were last checked August 27, 2026 at 10:09 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.
The Two Speakers In Full
Zealot S89: $246.99 Amazon Aliexpress eBay
Pros: A great value for the bass performance, play time and max volume in the boombox class. Likely the same internals as the Zealot ZE21
Cons: On the heavy side. A little rolled off up top and not that balanced through the rest of the range. Clarity isn’t as good as better speakers. Bass EQ is bloated and muddy sounding
Full Zealot S89 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 21.2" x 10.4" x 9.4" (538 x 265 x 240 mm) |
| Drivers | 130W subwoofer + 2x 40mm drivers + 2x tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (multiple modes) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 250W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 16.1 lbs / 7.3 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Oluv Patreon: Zealot S89 vs Yeahbox Boom Max3 - indoor listening test More from Oluv’Sone →
- Oluv Patreon: Zealot S89 vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max3 - outdoor test
- Dominik Reviews: Zealot S89 vs JBL Boombox 4 - JBL Alternative? Sound Test More from Dominik Reviews →
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Vs Zealot S89!!! More from Jagistreviews →
- Techder Audios: ZEALOT S89 VS ZEALOT ZE01 EXTREME POWERFULL VS COMPACTER BASS PERFORMANCE! More from techderaudios →
- Reddit Search for Zealot S89 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Zealot S89 vs JBL Boombox 4
- Zealot S89 vs Zealot ZE21
- Zealot S89 vs Zealot ZE41
- Zealot S89 vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 2
- Zealot S89 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9
- Zealot S89 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5
- Zealot S89 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7
- Zealot S89 vs JBL Boombox 3 Wifi
- See all 44 comparisons
JBL Authentics 300: $299.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: Integrates both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant simultaneously (rare for smart speakers). Retro seventies design with leather and Quadrex grille. 100-watt amp, carries well with leather-trimmed handle. Rechargeable battery rated ~8 hours.
Cons: Narrow sounding, bass not as deep as others. Peaky upper mids. No TWS. No IP rating. Not as loud as others. Not much battery life.
Full JBL Authentics 300 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 13.5" x 7.7" x 7.1" (342 x 195.6 x 180.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 1" tweeter + 4" woofer + passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Max Volume | 100dB |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 100W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi Multi-Room) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs / 4.9 kg |
| Wifi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Authentics 300 - sound quality test More from Oluv’Sone →
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Authentics 300 - update
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Authentics 300 - listening session
- Alan Ross Reviews: Not quite! JBL Authentics 300 review and sound test vs Boombox 3, Encore and Stormbox Blast More from alanrossreviews →
- Reddit Search for JBL Authentics 300 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Authentics 300 vs JBL Boombox 2
- JBL Authentics 300 vs B&O Beolit 20
- JBL Authentics 300 vs W-King X20
- JBL Authentics 300 vs Teufel Boomster 2021
- JBL Authentics 300 vs W-King D20
- JBL Authentics 300 vs Soundcore Boom 2 Plus
- JBL Authentics 300 vs Zealot ZE01
- JBL Authentics 300 vs W-King T11
- See all 50 comparisons