Short answer: the Zealot ZE21. It ranks #15 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $187.15; the LG Xboom Stage 301 ranks #23 and costs $279.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the Zealot ZE21 side: Great value for the bass performance, play time and max volume in the boombox class, though the Zealot ZE41 now beats it out. Set against that: A little rolled off up top and not that balanced through the rest of the range.
What the LG Xboom Stage 301 gets right: Wedge-style design works as a karaoke hub with removable/replaceable battery. The catch: overpriced for what it is.
Buy the Zealot ZE21. It ranks higher for sound quality than the LG Xboom Stage 301 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the Zealot ZE21 is rated for 40 hours versus 12 hours for the LG Xboom Stage 301.
Specifications Side By Side
| Zealot ZE21 | LG Xboom Stage 301 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $187.15 | $279.99 |
| Ranked | #15 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #23 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes (LG Xboom app) |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 36Hz | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (multiple modes) | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 | IPX4 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 20.4 lbs / 9.27 kg | 13.7 lbs / 6.2 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | AAC, SBC |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) | No |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Built in Microphone | No | No |
| Output Power | 250W | 120W |
| Dimensions | 16.7" x 10.3" x 14.3" (424 x 262 x 363 mm) | 8.7" x 3.1" x 3.5" (220 x 80 x 90 mm) |
| Drivers | 130W subwoofer + 2x 50mm woofers + passive radiators | 6.5" woofer + dual 2.5" midrange drivers (Peerless) |
| Max Volume | 116dB | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Aiwa Exos-9 vs Zealot ZE41
- Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 vs Soundcore Boom 2 Plus
- Bugani Boost Max vs Zealot ZE41
- Zealot S89 vs LG Xboom Stage 301
- LG Xboom Stage 301 vs Soundcore Rave Party 2
The Two Speakers In Full
Zealot ZE21: $187.15 Aliexpress Amazon
Pros: Great value for the bass performance, play time and max volume in the boombox class, though the Zealot ZE41 now beats it out.
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. Bass EQ is bloated and muddy sounding
Full Zealot ZE21 review and specifications →
| 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 | 16.7" x 10.3" x 14.3" (424 x 262 x 363 mm) |
| Drivers | 130W subwoofer + 2x 50mm woofers + passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (multiple modes) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| Max Volume | 116dB |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 250W |
| 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 | 20.4 lbs / 9.27 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Vs Zealot Ze21!!!
- Jagist reviews: Zealot Ze21 Vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2!!!
- Techder Audios: JBL Boombox 4 VS Zealot ZE21 BATTLE OF THE BOOMBOXES!
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Zealot ZE21 vs JBL Boombox 3 Tailgater Special @20ft. The Budget Beast Against the OG Boombox
- Reddit Search for Zealot ZE21 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Zealot ZE21 vs Zealot ZE41
- Zealot ZE21 vs Zealot S89
- Zealot ZE21 vs JBL Boombox 4
- Zealot ZE21 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9
- Zealot ZE21 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7
- Zealot ZE21 vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 2
- Zealot ZE21 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6
- Zealot ZE21 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5
- See all 19 comparisons
LG Xboom Stage 301: $279.99 Amazon
Pros: Wedge-style design works as a karaoke hub with removable/replaceable battery. Multiple standing positions. AI audio optimization via Dual-Bar lighting.
Cons: overpriced for what it is. Not the greatest frequency response.
Full LG Xboom Stage 301 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (LG Xboom app) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7" x 3.1" x 3.5" (220 x 80 x 90 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5" woofer + dual 2.5" midrange drivers (Peerless) |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 120W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs / 6.2 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jagist reviews: LG xboom Stage 301 Vs Zealot S95!!!
- Jagist reviews: LG xboom Stage 301 Vs W-king X20!!!
- Mike O’Brien: What Did LG Just Launch? (NEW will.i.am x LG xboom Speakers)
- GYMCADDY: LG’s New xboom Speaker And Earbud Lineup Explained - Meet The Stage 301, Bounce, Grab And Buds!
- Reddit Search for LG Xboom Stage 301 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- LG Xboom Stage 301 vs Zealot S95
- LG Xboom Stage 301 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
- LG Xboom Stage 301 vs JBL Boombox 3
- LG Xboom Stage 301 vs Zealot ZE01
- LG Xboom Stage 301 vs JBL Boombox 3 Wifi
- LG Xboom Stage 301 vs Soundcore Boom 2 Plus
- LG Xboom Stage 301 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5
- LG Xboom Stage 301 vs W-King X20
- See all 19 comparisons