Short answer: the Bose SoundLink Color II. It ranks #98 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $124.15; the Marshall Emberton III ranks #99 and costs $129.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Bose SoundLink Color II gets right: Soft-touch rubber coating is comfortable to hold and tough enough for bumps and scrapes. The catch: Boosted bass on Color II.
On the Marshall Emberton III side: 30 hour battery life - among the best in its class; a 20 min quick-charge gives 4 hours. Set against that: Strange unnatural echo-like sound coloration, bass not as deep as competitors.
Buy the Bose SoundLink Color II. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Marshall Emberton III and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the Marshall Emberton III is rated for 32 hours versus 8 hours for the Bose SoundLink Color II.
If water resistance matters to you, the Marshall Emberton III at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Bose SoundLink Color II at IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Color II | Marshall Emberton III | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $124.15 Discontinued | $129.99 |
| Ranked | #98 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #99 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 32 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 600 g | 1.5 lbs / 673 g |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 5.2" x 5" x 2.2" (132 x 127 x 56 mm) | 6.3" x 2.7" x 3" (160 x 68 x 76 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm full-range drivers | 2x 2" full-range cone drivers + 2x 2" passive radiators |
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes (3 presets via app) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 62Hz |
| Output Power | - | 20W |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC |
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- Marshall Emberton II vs Soundcore Glow
- Marshall Emberton II vs Soundcore Flare 2
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- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Bose SoundLink Color II
- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Marshall Emberton III
The Two Speakers In Full
Bose SoundLink Color II: $124.15 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Soft-touch rubber coating is comfortable to hold and tough enough for bumps and scrapes. IPX4 splashproof. Supports multipoint pairing to two devices at once.
Cons: Boosted bass on Color II. Not as deep of bass as other models. Lacking midrange detail. Rolled off treble. Discontinued.
Full Bose SoundLink Color II review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5.2" x 5" x 2.2" (132 x 127 x 56 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm full-range drivers |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 600 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Marshall Emberton III: $129.99 Amazon
Pros: 30 hour battery life - among the best in its class; a 20 min quick-charge gives 4 hours. IP67 rated, durable rubbery build using 50% recycled plastic.
Cons: Strange unnatural echo-like sound coloration, bass not as deep as competitors. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear. Not very loud. Not really any different from the Emberton II except having the treble turned down a little bit.
Full Marshall Emberton III review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz |
| Battery Life | 32 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.3" x 2.7" x 3" (160 x 68 x 76 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2" full-range cone drivers + 2x 2" passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (3 presets via app) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Output Power | 20W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 673 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Marshall Emberton III vs Marshall Emberton II
- Marshall Emberton III vs Yamaha True X Speaker 1A
- Marshall Emberton III vs Sony SRS-XB20
- Marshall Emberton III vs Sony SRS-XB30
- Marshall Emberton III vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4
- Marshall Emberton III vs Beats Pill 2024
- Marshall Emberton III vs Sony ULT Field 3
- Marshall Emberton III vs Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen