Short answer: the Zealot S95. It ranks #24 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $157.41; the JBL Boombox 2 ranks #29 and costs $350, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Zealot S95: A good value for the boombox class. The tradeoff: A little rolled off up top and not that balanced through the rest of the range.
What the JBL Boombox 2 gets right: 24 hour battery life (default volume); 20+ hours even at 60% volume. The catch: Somewhat bass heavy and boomy.
Buy the Zealot S95. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Boombox 2 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the JBL Boombox 2 is rated for 24 hours versus 12 hours for the Zealot S95.
Specifications Side By Side
| Zealot S95 | JBL Boombox 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $157.41 | $350 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #24 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #29 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz | 46Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (multiple modes) | No |
| IP Rating | IPX6 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 11.3 lbs / 5.11 kg | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | Yes (USB-A) |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Built in Microphone | No | No |
| Output Power | 120W | 160W |
| Dimensions | 14.1" x 9.6" x 6.6" (358 x 243 x 167 mm) | 19.1" x 7.9" x 10.1" (485 x 201 x 257 mm) |
| Drivers | 130W subwoofer + dual drivers | 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Latency | - | 33ms |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 140ms |
| Max Volume | - | 108dB |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
| Microphone Input | - | No |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Zealot S95: $157.41 Amazon Aliexpress
Pros: A good value for the boombox class. Appears to be the same internals as the ZE01. Bigger case and goes deeper than the ZE01
Cons: A little rolled off up top and not that balanced through the rest of the range. Clarity isn’t as good as better speakers.
Full Zealot S95 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 14.1" x 9.6" x 6.6" (358 x 243 x 167 mm) |
| Drivers | 130W subwoofer + dual drivers |
| EQ | Yes (multiple modes) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 120W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 11.3 lbs / 5.11 kg |
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- Links
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JBL Boombox 2: $350 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: 24 hour battery life (default volume); 20+ hours even at 60% volume. IPX7 rated. Doubles as a power bank. Bluetooth 5.1 with PartyBoost (up to 100 speakers). Reaches 101dB.
Cons: Somewhat bass heavy and boomy. Discontinued.
Full JBL Boombox 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 33ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 140ms |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19.1" x 7.9" x 10.1" (485 x 201 x 257 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 108dB |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 160W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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