Short answer: the Zealot S89. It ranks #19 of 98 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $246.99; the Marshall Tufton ranks #83, rated 2.4/5, and costs $369.99, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The Zealot S89 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass option. A 16.1 lbs (7.3 kg) boombox with a claimed 36Hz bass extension, 40-hour battery life, IPX6 protection, USB-C charging, aux, USB and microSD playback, TWS and multi-speaker PartyAdd. Its bass reaches about 36Hz before falling 10dB, against 42Hz for the Marshall Tufton. It is rated for 40 hours of battery against 20 for the Marshall Tufton. It is rated IPX6 against IPX2 for the Marshall Tufton. The tradeoff: At high volume, listener reports describe the bass as loose or muddy and the overall balance as less clear than better boombox speakers.
The Marshall Tufton is the lighter choice. 20 hour battery life; 2.5 hour full charge, or 20-min quick-charge for 4 hours of play. At 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the Zealot S89 at 16.1 lbs (7.3 kg). Watch for: Not much lower bass, upper bass boomy, boosted treble, not very balanced overall.
Buy the Zealot S89. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Marshall Tufton and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Zealot S89 | Marshall Tufton | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $246.99 | $369.99 |
| Ranked | #19 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #83 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz | 42Hz |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (multiple modes) | Yes (hidden bass and treble adjustment) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 | IPX2 |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 16.1 lbs (7.3 kg) | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) | No |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | 250W | 80W |
| Dimensions | 21.2” x 10.4” x 9.4” (538 x 265 x 240 mm) | 9” x 6.4” x 13.8” (229.1 x 163.1 x 350 mm) |
| Drivers | 130W subwoofer + 2x 40mm drivers + 2x tweeters | 1x 5.25” woofer + 2x 2” full-range + 1x 16mm tweeter |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Strap | No | Yes (built-in strap) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Zealot S89:
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Zealot S89
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs Zealot S89
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Zealot S89
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs Zealot S89
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Zealot S89
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Zealot S89: $246.99 Amazon $246.99 AliExpress $193.58 eBay
Pros: A 7.3kg boombox with a claimed 36Hz bass extension, 40-hour battery life, IPX6 protection, USB-C charging, aux, USB and microSD playback, TWS and multi-speaker PartyAdd. Listener comparisons find it capable of very high output and substantial bass for outdoor use. A great value for its bass, battery life and maximum volume. Measured bass extension of 36Hz (-10dB).
Cons: At high volume, listener reports describe the bass as loose or muddy and the overall balance as less clear than better boombox speakers. The heavy cabinet and basic finish also make it less polished for daily portability, while its multiple EQ modes cannot substitute for a genuinely neutral tuning.
Full Zealot S89 review and specifications →
| Released | Mar 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 250W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| 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 |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 16.1 lbs (7.3 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Zealot S89 vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3 - indoor listening fun More from Oluv’Sone →
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Zealot S89 vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max3 - outdoor test
- Oluv Patreon: Zealot S89 vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max3 - outdoor test
- Oluv Patreon: Zealot S89 vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3
- Oluv Patreon: Zealot S89 vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3
- Oluv Patreon: Zealot S89 vs Yeahbox Boom Max3 - indoor listening test
- Dominik Reviews: Zealot S89 vs JBL Boombox 4 - JBL Alternative? Sound Test More from Dominik Reviews →
- Techder Audios: ZEALOT S89 VS ZEALOT ZE01 EXTREME POWERFULL VS COMPACTER BASS PERFORMANCE! More from techderaudios →
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Vs Zealot S89!!! More from Jagistreviews →
- Jagist reviews: Zealot PT21 Vs Zealot S89!!! 😈😈😈
- YARNZO Tech: Zealot s89 vs zealot s98 Full sound comparison (with DB sound meter App) More from YARNZO Tech →
- YARNZO Tech: Zealot s98 vs zealot s89 and zealot s95 outdoor sound battle 🔊
- J_Strat Battles: Zealot S89 (Revised Version) vs PT11
- UFO SoYLX: Zealot S98 Vs Zealot S89 Deep Bass speaker 2025 📟
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Marshall Tufton: $369.99 Amazon $369.99 eBay
Pros: 20 hour battery life; 2.5 hour full charge, or 20-min quick-charge for 4 hours of play. 3-way speaker design covers full frequency range in 360°. Sturdy construction with IPX2 rating. Measured bass extension of 42Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not much lower bass, upper bass boomy, boosted treble, not very balanced overall. Not as loud as others in the class. Very low water rating
Full Marshall Tufton review and specifications →
| Released | May 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 80W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9” x 6.4” x 13.8” (229.1 x 163.1 x 350 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 5.25” woofer + 2x 2” full-range + 1x 16mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (hidden bass and treble adjustment) |
| IP Rating | IPX2 |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons