Short answer: the Zealot S89. It ranks #16 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $193.58; the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi ranks #20 and costs $389.95, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Zealot S89: A great value for the bass performance, play time and max volume in the boombox class. The tradeoff: On the heavy side.
What the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi gets right: Loudest speaker in the category. The catch: Bass boosted.
Buy the Zealot S89. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the Zealot S89 is rated for 40 hours versus 24 hours for the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi.
Specifications Side By Side
| Zealot S89 | JBL Boombox 3 Wifi | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $193.58 | $389.95 |
| Ranked | #16 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #20 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (multiple modes) | No |
| IP Rating | IPX6 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 16.1 lbs / 7.3 kg | 14.6 lbs / 6.6 kg |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Built in Microphone | No | No |
| Output Power | 250W | 200W AC / 140W battery |
| Dimensions | 21.2" x 10.4" x 9.4" (538 x 265 x 240 mm) | 19.1" x 10.1" x 7.9" (484 x 256 x 200 mm) |
| Drivers | 130W subwoofer + 2x 40mm drivers + 2x tweeters | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Max Volume | - | 111dB |
| Wifi | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- JBL Boombox 4 vs ZZA K8
- JBL Boombox 3 vs W-King X20
- Zealot ZE41 vs JBL Boombox 3
- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- Zealot ZE21 vs JBL Boombox 3 Wifi
The Two Speakers In Full
Zealot S89: $193.58 Aliexpress Amazon
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 |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Oluv Patreon: Zealot S89 vs Yeahbox Boom Max3 - indoor listening test
- Oluv Patreon: Zealot S89 vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max3 - outdoor test
- Dominik Reviews: Zealot S89 vs JBL Boombox 4 - JBL Alternative? Sound Test
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Vs Zealot S89!!!
- Techder Audios: ZEALOT S89 VS ZEALOT ZE01 EXTREME POWERFULL VS COMPACTER BASS PERFORMANCE!
- 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 Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6
- See all 19 comparisons
JBL Boombox 3 Wifi: $389.95 Amazon
Pros: Loudest speaker in the category. Slightly better frequency response than the non-wifi version.
Cons: Bass boosted. Dip at 160hz
Full JBL Boombox 3 Wifi review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19.1" x 10.1" x 7.9" (484 x 256 x 200 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 111dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 200W AC / 140W battery |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs / 6.6 kg |
| Wifi | Yes |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Dominik Reviews: JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Boombox 3 WiFi - Sound Test - Wide vs Narrow Soundstage!
- Mateusz Cholewa: JBL Encore 2 Partybox Deep Bass 🆚 Jbl Boombox 3 WiFi 🎶
- Alan Ross Reviews: Not quite! JBL Authentics 300 review and sound test vs Boombox 3, Encore and Stormbox Blast
- Alan Ross Reviews: WiFi Edition: JBL Boombox 3 ultimate review! vs Boombox 3 Bluetooth edition
- Mateusz Cholewa: Soundcore Rave 3🧐 🆚 Jbl Boombox 3 WiFi
- Reddit Search for JBL Boombox 3 Wifi Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs JBL Boombox 3
- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5
- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 2
- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs JBL Boombox 4
- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs LG Xboom Stage 301
- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs Zealot S95
- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs Zealot ZE21
- See all 26 comparisons