Short answer: the Zealot ZE01. It ranks #25 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $126.02; the Sony SRS-XG500 ranks #45 and costs $344.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the Zealot ZE01 side: Appears to be the same internals as the S95. Set against that: A little rolled off up top and not that balanced through the rest of the range.
The case for the Sony SRS-XG500: 30 hour battery life; 10-min quick-charge gives 3 hours. The tradeoff: Thuddy upper bass, not as deep bass as others.
Buy the Zealot ZE01. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Sony SRS-XG500 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Zealot ZE01 | Sony SRS-XG500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $126.02 | $344.99 |
| Ranked | #25 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #45 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes (Music Center, Fiestable) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz | 49Hz |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (multiple modes) | Yes (App + ClearAudio+) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 | IP66 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs / 6.0 kg | 12.3 lbs / 5.6 kg |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Output Power | 120W RMS / 150W peak | 2x 25W + 2x 10W |
| Dimensions | 13.1" x 11.2" x 8.1" (332 x 284 x 207 mm) | 18.1" x 10.1" x 8.5" (460 x 256 x 215 mm) |
| Drivers | Dual 120mm speakers + dual 42mm speakers | 2x 30mm tweeters + 2x 40mm mid-range + 1x 60mm woofer |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.0 |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Zealot ZE01: $126.02 Aliexpress Amazon
Pros: Appears to be the same internals as the S95
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 ZE01 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 13.1" x 11.2" x 8.1" (332 x 284 x 207 mm) |
| Drivers | Dual 120mm speakers + dual 42mm speakers |
| EQ | Yes (multiple modes) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 120W RMS / 150W peak |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs / 6.0 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Bullionix_Gadgets_Reviews: ZEALOT ZE-01 VS ZEALOT S-95! 😱: Sound Comparison!!!
- Techder Audios: ZEALOT S89 VS ZEALOT ZE01 EXTREME POWERFULL VS COMPACTER BASS PERFORMANCE!
- Techder Audios: Zealot ZE01 VS Tronsmart Bang Max SOLID VOCALS VS DEEPER BASS
- Techder Audios: Zealot ZE01 VS Xdobo BMTL Wow Max DEEPER BASS VS LOUDER BASS?!
- Reddit Search for Zealot ZE01 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sony SRS-XG500: $344.99 Amazon
Pros: 30 hour battery life; 10-min quick-charge gives 3 hours. Battery care function stops charging at 90% to extend longevity. IP66 water/dust resistant. Two USB-A ports (one charges devices), mic/guitar inputs, AUX. Party mode links 100+ speakers.
Cons: Thuddy upper bass, not as deep bass as others. Speaker will not remain at max volume and will turn itself down automatically.
Full Sony SRS-XG500 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Music Center, Fiestable) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 18.1" x 10.1" x 8.5" (460 x 256 x 215 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 30mm tweeters + 2x 40mm mid-range + 1x 60mm woofer |
| EQ | Yes (App + ClearAudio+) |
| IP Rating | IP66 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 2x 25W + 2x 10W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs / 5.6 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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