Short answer: the Zealot S89 if sound quality matters most, the Skullcandy Barrel if price matters most. The Zealot S89 ranks #18 of 75 boombox speakers at $259.99. The Skullcandy Barrel ranks #41 at $159, $100.99 cheaper.
What the Zealot S89 offers: 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. Watch for: 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.
What the Skullcandy Barrel offers: Water-resistant (IPX5) with LED lightshow synced to music. 12 hour battery life. Bass Boost mode. Multi-Link feature connects up to 99 speakers. Doubles as phone charger. Watch for: Not as deep bass as the top ranked speakers. Not as loud as the top ranked speakers. Rolled off treble.
Buy the Zealot S89 if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Skullcandy Barrel if the price is the priority over sound quality.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Zealot S89 | Skullcandy Barrel | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $259.99 | $159.00 |
| Ranked | #18 of 75 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #41 of 75 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes (Skullcandy app) |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz | ~50Hz |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| EQ | Yes (multiple modes) | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 16.1 lbs (7.3 kg) | 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) | No |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 250W | 60W |
| Dimensions | 21.2" x 10.4" x 9.4" (538 x 265 x 240 mm) | 11.8" x 22.1" x 9.6" (300 x 560.1 x 243.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 130W subwoofer + 2x 40mm drivers + 2x tweeters | 2x 20mm drivers |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
| Maximum SPL | - | 104dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Zealot S89 compares with other leading options:
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Zealot S89
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs Zealot S89
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Zealot S89
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Zealot S89
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Zealot S89
Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 AM 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: $259.99 Amazon Aliexpress 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. 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 →
| Amplifier Power | 250W |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Skullcandy Barrel: $159.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Water-resistant (IPX5) with LED lightshow synced to music. 12 hour battery life. Bass Boost mode. Multi-Link feature connects up to 99 speakers. Doubles as phone charger. Measured bass extension of ~50Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not as deep bass as the top ranked speakers. Not as loud as the top ranked speakers. Rolled off treble.
Full Skullcandy Barrel review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 60W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Skullcandy app) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~50Hz |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.8" x 22.1" x 9.6" (300 x 560.1 x 243.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 20mm drivers |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 104dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Triple Threat Match 🔺 SkullCandy Barrel XT, Tribit Blast & Tronsmart Bang Max 📛 Bluetooth Boombox 🔋 More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Skullcandy Barrel XT Boombox vs. JBL Partybox Encore Party Speaker.🛜 How Low Can You Go?😲
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Skullcandy Barrel XT Bluetooth Boombox Speaker 📦 Unboxing, First Look & 🔉 Sound Demo
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Skullcandy BARREL XT vs JBL Boombox 3 🤯Budget Banger vs Reigning Champ 🔋 Battery Powered 🏠 Indoors
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Skullcandy Barrel XT vs Soundcore Rave Party 2 (Stock & Custom EQ) 🛜 Battery Powered🔋Let’s Get It🧨
- Jagist reviews: Unboxing Of The Skullcandy Barrel XT More from Jagistreviews →
- Jagist reviews: W-king X20 Vs Skullcandy Barrel XT!!! 🤔😋
- Jagist reviews: W-king X20 Vs Skullcandy Barrel XT!!! 🤔😋
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Skullcandy Barrel XT vs ONN Medium Party Speaker Gen. 2 😬(Both Bass Boost On🔉) The Price is Right?🤑
- Josh’s Gadgets and More: Skullcandy Barrel XT vs ZZA K8 sound comparison
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Skullcandy Barrel vs Sony ULT Field 7
- Skullcandy Barrel vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3
- Skullcandy Barrel vs Soundcore Rave Party 2
- Skullcandy Barrel vs Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2
- Skullcandy Barrel vs JBL Partybox On the Go
- Skullcandy Barrel vs Tronsmart Bang Max
- Skullcandy Barrel vs Sony SRS-XG500
- Skullcandy Barrel vs JBL Boombox
- See all 50 comparisons