Short answer: the Marshall Middleton II. It ranks #31 of 120 large speakers by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $279.99; the Andover Audio FreePlay ranks #48, rated 3.8/5, and costs $379, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
What the Andover Audio FreePlay does well: A waterproof hi-fi style portable with true stereo drivers and a 24 hour battery. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the Marshall Middleton II lacks. Watch for: AV Nirvana heard a sharp bass rolloff that lost the deepest layers of some tracks, and estimated it about 6 dB down at the 55Hz Andover claims.
The Marshall Middleton II is the lighter choice. A waterproof stereo speaker with very deep bass for its size, a long battery, a power bank and an app EQ. At 4 lbs (1.8 kg) it weighs much less than the Andover Audio FreePlay at 8.8 lbs (4 kg). It has an adjustable EQ, which the Andover Audio FreePlay lacks. The catch: Bass boosted which drowns out the midrange.
Buy the Marshall Middleton II. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Andover Audio FreePlay and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
A waterproof hi-fi style portable with true stereo drivers and a 24 hour battery.
A waterproof stereo speaker with very deep bass for its size, a long battery, a power bank and an app EQ.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Andover Audio FreePlay | Marshall Middleton II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $379 | $279.99 |
| Ranked | #48 of 120 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #31 of 120 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | LC3, AAC, SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | 5.3 |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | - |
| Dimensions | 10”H x 13”W x 6.5”D (254 x 330 x 165 mm) | 9.1” x 3.9” x 4.3” (230 x 98 x 110 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 5.25” aluminum woofers + 2x 25mm dome tweeters + 160mm passive radiator | 2x 75mm woofers, 2x 0.625” tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No | Yes (5 band) |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Microphone Input | Yes | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (LE Audio, up to 99 speakers) | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No (built-in handle) | Yes (detachable strap) |
| Weight | 8.8 lbs (4 kg) | 4 lbs (1.8 kg) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 38Hz |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
| TWS | - | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | - | 80W |
| Digital Aux Input | - | No |
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