Short answer: the Zealot ZE41. It ranks #14 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $219.95; the JBL Boombox 3 ranks #21 and costs $349.95, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Zealot ZE41 gets right: The absolute best value for the bass performance, play time and max volume in the boombox class. The catch: The heaviest and biggest boombox speaker around.
What the JBL Boombox 3 offers: IP67 rated. Watch for: Dips in mid bass range which makes the bass sound undefined, bass boosted, peaky at 700hz, not quite as good mids and treble as the Blast.
Buy the Zealot ZE41. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Boombox 3 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Zealot ZE41 | JBL Boombox 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $219.95 | $349.95 |
| Ranked | #14 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #21 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Capacity | 48000mAh (12x4000mAh) | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | - |
| Dimensions | 22.1" x 9.4" x 13" (562 x 238 x 331 mm) | 19" x 10.1" x 7.9" (482 x 257 x 200 mm) |
| Drivers | 191x130mm 140W subwoofer + 2x 93mm 60W midrange drivers + 2x 42mm 20W tweeters | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (Vocal, Bass Boost, Normal modes) | No |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| IP Rating | IPX5 | IP67 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode) | No |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | No |
| Output Power | 300W | 180W AC / 136W battery |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | Type-C | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 25.3 lbs / 11.48 kg | 14.8 lbs / 6.7 kg |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Latency | - | 25ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | - | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 100ms |
| Max Volume | - | 110dB |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | - | No |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Zealot ZE41: $219.95 Aliexpress Amazon
Pros: The absolute best value for the bass performance, play time and max volume in the boombox class.
Cons: The heaviest and biggest boombox speaker around. 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 ZE41 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Capacity | 48000mAh (12x4000mAh) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 22.1" x 9.4" x 13" (562 x 238 x 331 mm) |
| Drivers | 191x130mm 140W subwoofer + 2x 93mm 60W midrange drivers + 2x 42mm 20W tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (Vocal, Bass Boost, Normal modes) |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 300W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| Power Input | Type-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 25.3 lbs / 11.48 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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JBL Boombox 3: $349.95 Amazon
Pros: IP67 rated. 24 hour battery life (6.5 hour charge time). Doubles as a power bank. PartyBoost links up to 100 compatible JBL speakers. Three-way speaker system with subwoofer.
Cons: Dips in mid bass range which makes the bass sound undefined, bass boosted, peaky at 700hz, not quite as good mids and treble as the Blast.
Full JBL Boombox 3 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 25ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19" x 10.1" x 7.9" (482 x 257 x 200 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 110dB |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 180W AC / 136W battery |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 14.8 lbs / 6.7 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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- Reddit Search for JBL Boombox 3 Review
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