Short answer: the Marshall Kilburn II. It ranks #43 of 105 large speakers by sound quality (rated 3.8/5) at $279 and is still sold new; the Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III ranks #64 (rated 3.4/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III is the lighter option. Four drivers and two opposing passive radiators give fuller, deeper bass than the Bose Soundlink Mini 2. At 3 lbs (1.37 kg) it weighs much less than the Marshall Kilburn II at 5.5 lbs (2.49 kg). The catch: No water or dust resistance.
The Marshall Kilburn II is the better-sounding, longer-running choice. 20W Class D amp + dual 8W tweeters. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 14 for the Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III. It is rated IPX2, while the Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III has no water resistance. The tradeoff: Boosted upper bass, not very detailed, not as deep bass as competitors, upper mids peak.
Buy the Marshall Kilburn II. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III is discontinued, so it is only available used.
About the ratings: the Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 3.1 to 3.7, so this verdict could change once it is measured.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III | Marshall Kilburn II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.95 Discontinued | $279.00 |
| Ranked | #64 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers Estimated | #43 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Drivers | 4x neodymium full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators | 1x 4” (102mm) woofer + 2x 20mm dome tweeters |
| Battery Life | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | IPX2 |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Weight | 3 lbs (1.37 kg) | 5.5 lbs (2.49 kg) |
| Dimensions | 10.1” x 5.3” x 1.9” (256 x 135 x 48 mm) | 9.6” x 6.4” x 5.5” (243 x 162 x 140 mm) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power brick | USB-C |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~58Hz |
| Omnidirectional | - | No |
| Amplifier Power | - | 36W |
| Maximum SPL | - | 102dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Digital Aux Input | - | No |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.0 |
| Strap | - | Yes (built-in strap) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III: $299.95 Discontinued Estimated eBay
Pros: Four drivers and two opposing passive radiators give fuller, deeper bass than the Bose Soundlink Mini 2. Two drivers per side play left and right channels. Up to 14 hours of battery. Wraparound metal grille and sealed silicone buttons hold up to daily handling. Has a 3.5mm aux input.
Cons: No water or dust resistance. No app, EQ, speakerphone or multi speaker pairing. Charges through a proprietary AC adapter rather than USB. Bose boosts the upper bass, so voices can sound thick. Discontinued, so only used or renewed units remain.
Full Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2014 (12 years ago) |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Dimensions | 10.1” x 5.3” x 1.9” (256 x 135 x 48 mm) |
| Drivers | 4x neodymium full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 3 lbs (1.37 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- CNET: Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III: Revamped design, better sound and battery life More from Cnet →
- Android Authority: Bose SoundLink 3 Review
- Solo Trips: BOSE soundlink 3 vs JBL Xtreme
- Solo Trips: BOSE soundtouch 10 vs BOSE Soundlink 3
- Reviews, Tutorials & Tech: Review Bose SoundLink III Bluetooth Speaker More from Audio Science Review →
- Aaron X Loud and Wireless: Bose SoundLink III Speaker in 2018? Watch This Before you buy!
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Marshall Kilburn II: $279.00 Amazon $279.00 eBay
Newer model: the Marshall Kilburn III, ranked higher, rated 3.8/5, released May 2025. It adds power bank charging, app control, adjustable EQ and party mode, but drops the built-in mic. Battery life goes from 20 to 50 hours. Water resistance goes from IPX2 to IP54. See every Marshall Portable Speakers generation.
Pros: 20W Class D amp + dual 8W tweeters. 20+ hour battery with quick-charge (20 min charges 3 hours of play). Rugged design with leather handle and reinforced corners, IPX2 rated. Thrives with rock music. Bluetooth 5.0 with 30ft range. Measured bass extension of ~58Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Boosted upper bass, not very detailed, not as deep bass as competitors, upper mids peak. Very low IPX2 water rating. AC charging
Full Marshall Kilburn II review and specifications →
| Released | Aug 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 36W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.6” x 6.4” x 5.5” (243 x 162 x 140 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 4” (102mm) woofer + 2x 20mm dome tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX2 |
| Maximum SPL | 102dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 5.5 lbs (2.49 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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