ZEALOT-S98 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

1. Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the ZEALOT-S98 Portable Bluetooth Speaker. This manual provides important information regarding the setup, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of your new speaker. Please read it carefully to ensure proper use and to maximize your listening experience.

Figure 1: ZEALOT-S98 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

2. Important Safety Warnings

To ensure correct use and trouble-free operation, please observe the following safety guidelines:

• Read this user manual carefully before first use.
• A full charge is recommended before initial use.
• Use and store the product at room temperature.
• Do not throw or drop the product to avoid damage.
• Do not expose the product to fire, high temperatures, direct sunlight, or similar overheating conditions.
• Do not use organic solvents or other chemicals to clean the product.
• Prevent small particles from entering the product.
• Maintain a moderate speaker volume to avoid temporary or permanent hearing impairment.
• Do not disassemble the product or make any modifications to its structure or any part thereof.
• Keep the product out of reach of children.
• If the battery is not replaced correctly, there is a risk of explosion. Only the same type of battery can be used for replacement.
• If using a power adapter for charging, ensure it is CCC certified and meets standard requirements.

3. Package Contents

Please check the box for the following items:

• 1 x ZEALOT-S98 Bluetooth Speaker
• 1 x USB Type-C Charging Cable
• 1 x Audio Cable (AUX)
• 1 x User Manual
• 1 x Baldric (Shoulder Strap)
• 1 x Carrying Bag

Figure 2: Included Accessories

4. Product Overview

The ZEALOT-S98 is a high-power portable Bluetooth speaker designed for robust audio performance. It features a durable design, multiple connectivity options, and dynamic RGB lighting.

4.1 Speaker Components

Figure 3: Internal Speaker Configuration (2x 134mm woofers, 2x 38mm tweeters)

4.2 Control Panel and Ports

The top panel of the speaker houses various control buttons and indicators, while the rear or side panels contain the input/output ports.

Figure 4: Key Features and Controls

• Power Button: Long press to turn ON/OFF.
• Mode Switch Button: Cycles through input modes (Bluetooth, TF Card, USB, AUX).
• Play/Pause Button: Controls media playback.
• Volume Up / Next Track Button: Short press for volume up, long press for next track.
• Volume Down / Previous Track Button: Short press for volume down, long press for previous track.
• Light Button: Toggles RGB lighting ON/OFF.
• PartyAdd (TWS) Button: Initiates True Wireless Stereo pairing.
• EQ Button: Cycles through sound modes (Bass, Vocal, Normal).
• Battery Indicator Lights: Green (80-100%), Yellow (40-70%), Red (≤30%).
• Charging Port: USB Type-C for charging.
• AUX-in Port: For wired audio connection.
• USB Port: For USB drive playback.
• TF Card Slot: For TF card playback.

5. Technical Specifications

Figure 5: 160W High Power Output

6. Initial Setup

6.1 Charging the Speaker

Before first use, it is recommended to fully charge the speaker. Use the provided Type-C charging cable and connect it to a DC5V 2A (or higher for fast charging) power adapter.

• Green light: 80%-100% battery
• Yellow light: 40%-70% battery
• Red light: ≤30% battery

Figure 6: Long-lasting 36000mAh Battery

6.2 Powering On/Off

To turn the speaker ON or OFF, long press the Power button for more than 3 seconds.

7. Operating Instructions

7.1 Wireless Connection (Bluetooth)

To connect your device via Bluetooth:

1. Turn on the ZEALOT-S98 speaker. It will automatically enter Bluetooth pairing mode.
2. On your device (smartphone, tablet, etc.), enable Bluetooth and search for available devices.
3. Select "ZEALOT-S98" from the list to connect. A prompt tone will indicate a successful connection.
4. To disconnect the current Bluetooth device, long press the Wireless button.

Figure 7: Bluetooth 5.3 Connectivity

7.2 True Wireless Stereo (TWS) Pairing (PartyAdd)

You can pair two ZEALOT-S98 speakers together for a stereo sound experience:

1. Turn on the first speaker and connect it to your device via Bluetooth. Then, click the PartyAdd (dual pairing) button on this speaker.
2. Turn on the second speaker and click its PartyAdd (dual pairing) button.
3. A prompt tone will indicate that both speakers have successfully connected to each other, creating a TWS stereo setup.

Figure 8: Wireless TWS Pairing

7.3 Mode Switching

Press the Mode Switch button to cycle through available input modes: Bluetooth, TF Card, USB, and AUX.

7.4 Playback Controls

• Play/Pause: Press the Play/Pause button.
• Next Track: Long press the Volume Up button.
• Previous Track: Long press the Volume Down button.
• Volume Up: Short press the Volume Up button.
• Volume Down: Short press the Volume Down button.

7.5 Light Modes

Press the Light button to toggle the RGB lighting effects ON or OFF.

7.6 EQ Modes

Press the EQ button to cycle through different sound equalization modes:

• Bass Mode: Indicated by a green light.
• Vocal Mode: Indicated by an orange light.
• Normal Mode: No specific light indication.

Figure 9: HiFi Sound Quality with DSP

8. Maintenance

To ensure the longevity and optimal performance of your ZEALOT-S98 speaker:

• Clean the speaker with a soft, dry cloth. Do not use abrasive cleaners, organic solvents, or other chemicals.
• Keep the speaker away from dust, moisture, and extreme temperatures.
• When not in use for extended periods, store the speaker in a cool, dry place.
• Avoid placing heavy objects on the speaker.

9. Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues with your speaker, please refer to the following common problems and solutions:

• Speaker keeps cutting out during playback:
  Ensure the speaker is within the operating range (up to 10m) of your connected device and there are no significant obstacles between them.
• Unable to connect to your device:
  Restart the speaker and your device, then try pairing again. Ensure the speaker is in Bluetooth pairing mode.
• Unable to play music from Micro SD card:
  Ensure the Micro SD card is formatted to FAT32. The speaker only supports FAT32 format. Also, verify that the music files are in supported formats such as APE, FLAC, WAV, WMA, or MP3.
• No sound when playing:
  Adjust the volume on both the speaker and your connected device. Check if the playback is paused.
• No sound in AUX-in mode:
  Ensure the audio cable is securely connected to both the speaker's AUX-in port and your audio source.
• Speaker not turning on:
  Try charging the speaker for approximately 3 hours. The battery might be completely depleted.
• Speaker not responding to any operation:
  Try resetting the speaker by pressing the reset button located in the AUX-in jack (you may need a thin object like a paperclip).
• Cannot connect a Bluetooth microphone:
  The ZEALOT-S98 is primarily designed for audio output and does not typically support Bluetooth microphone input for external recording or karaoke functions. It has a built-in microphone for calls when connected to a phone.

10. User Tips

Here are some tips to enhance your experience with the ZEALOT-S98 speaker:

• Outdoor Use: The portable design and long battery life make it ideal for outdoor activities like camping or parties. Remember its waterproof feature for added durability.
• Enhanced Bass: Experiment with the Bass EQ mode for a more impactful audio experience, especially with bass-heavy music.
• Stereo Sound: Utilize the TWS (PartyAdd) feature to pair two S98 speakers for a true stereo soundstage, significantly enhancing immersion.
• Power Bank Functionality: The speaker's large battery can also serve as a mobile power bank (5V 2A output) to charge your other devices via the USB port.
• Quick Charging: For faster charging, use a PD2.0 45W or QC2.0 18W compatible charger with the Type-C port.

Figure 10: Portable Design for Outdoor Adventures

11. Warranty and Support

The ZEALOT-S98 speaker typically comes with a 1-year product warranty service. For specific warranty details, claims, or technical support, please refer to the documentation provided at the point of purchase or contact the seller directly. You may also find additional resources on the official ZEALOT website.

A digital version of this user manual is available for download at https://manuals.plus/m/3f530e65885f44c547d33f4f0a79dbb767cba1acbe675102c425ffc74333f3a9.

12. Compliance Information

12.1 FCC Warning

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Radiation Exposure Statement: The device has been evaluated to meet general RF exposure requirements. The device can be used in portable exposure condition without restriction.

12.2 Hazardous Substances Statement (China RoHS)

To comply with China's Management Methods for the Restriction of the Use of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products, the following table indicates the presence of hazardous substances:

Note:
1. "O" indicates that the hazardous substance contained in all homogeneous materials of this part is below the limit requirement specified in standard SJ/T11363-2006.
2. "X" indicates that the hazardous substance contained in at least one homogeneous material of this part exceeds the limit requirement specified in standard SJ/T11363-2008.
3. The parts marked with "X" comply with the RoHS directive - the 2002/95/EC directive on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment, enacted by the European Union Parliament.

The environmental protection use period for this electronic information product, under the conditions described in this manual, is 10 years. During this period, the toxic and hazardous substances or elements contained will not leak out, cause pollution to the environment, or cause serious harm to people or property.