Short answer: the Zealot S97. It ranks #46 of 77 large speakers by sound quality at $65.86; the JBL Xtreme ranks #52 and costs $200, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Zealot S97: There is nothing else for $48 with that deep of bass and a reasonable tuning. The tradeoff: Doesn’t get very loud compared to other speakers in this class.
What the JBL Xtreme gets right: 15 hour battery. The catch: Issues with bass distortion at high volumes.
Buy the Zealot S97. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Xtreme and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Zealot S97 | JBL Xtreme | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $65.86 with coupon YZZL10 | $200 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #46 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #52 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | 3 EQ presets | No |
| IP Rating | IPX6 | IPX7 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Connect) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | No | No |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs / 3.3 kg | 5.3 lbs / 2.4 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 4.1 |
| Dimensions | 12.6" x 7.3" x 5.9" (321 x 185 x 151 mm) | 11.1" x 5" x 4.8" (283 x 126 x 122 mm) |
| Output Power | 80W | 40W |
| Drivers | 2x 76mm (3") woofers + 2x 38mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators | 2x 63mm woofers, 2x 35mm tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Max Volume | - | 96dB |
| Frequency Response | - | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 vs Sony SRS-XG300
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Doss Soundbox XL
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4 vs Bogasing S8 Pro
- Marshall Stockwell 2 vs Zealot S97
- Sony ULT Field 5 vs Zealot S97
The Two Speakers In Full
Zealot S97: $65.86 with coupon YZZL10 Aliexpress
Pros: There is nothing else for $48 with that deep of bass and a reasonable tuning
Cons: Doesn’t get very loud compared to other speakers in this class. Short battery life. Pretty heavy. Many say the S67 has deeper bass, but also gets more distorted
Full Zealot S97 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12.6" x 7.3" x 5.9" (321 x 185 x 151 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 76mm (3") woofers + 2x 38mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | 3 EQ presets |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 80W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs / 3.3 kg |
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JBL Xtreme: $200 Discontinued
Pros: 15 hour battery. IPX7 water resistance. JBL Connect for pairing with other JBL speakers. Built-in microphone for calls.
Cons: Issues with bass distortion at high volumes. An older speaker outclassed by newer releases of the Xtreme. External AC power brick for charging. Discontinued.
Full JBL Xtreme review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.1" x 5" x 4.8" (283 x 126 x 122 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 63mm woofers, 2x 35mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 96dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs / 2.4 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons