Short answer: the Bose SoundLink Home. It ranks #69 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 3.4/5, at $179; the Marshall Emberton III ranks #125, rated 2.7/5, and costs $179.99, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The Bose SoundLink Home is the better-sounding option. A stylish aluminum home speaker with a built in stand, USB-C wired audio input and a speakerphone mic. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the Marshall Emberton III lacks. The tradeoff: Single full-range driver produces mono sound with limited soundstage width, and it lacks true deep sub-bass rumble.
The Marshall Emberton III is the longer-running, lighter pick. A tough waterproof speaker with Marshall styling and a very long battery, plus quick charging. It is rated for 32 hours of battery against 9 for the Bose SoundLink Home. At 1.5 lbs (673 g) it weighs noticeably less than the Bose SoundLink Home at 2 lbs (890 g). It is rated IP67, while the Bose SoundLink Home has no water resistance. Watch for: Strange unnatural echo-like sound coloration, bass not as deep as competitors.
Buy the Bose SoundLink Home. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Marshall Emberton III and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A stylish aluminum home speaker with a built in stand, USB-C wired audio input and a speakerphone mic.
A tough waterproof speaker with Marshall styling and a very long battery, plus quick charging.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Home | Marshall Emberton III | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $179.00 | $179.99 |
| Ranked | #69 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #125 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 9 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 32 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C audio) | No |
| Dimensions | 8.5” x 4.4” x 2.3” (216 x 112 x 58 mm) | 6.3” x 2.7” x 3” (160 x 68 x 76 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x full-range transducer with dual passive radiators | 2x 2” full-range cone drivers + 2x 2” passive radiators |
| EQ | No | Yes (3 presets via app) |
| IP Rating | None | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Strap | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 2 lbs (890 g) | 1.5 lbs (673 g) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 62Hz |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Amplifier Power | - | 20W |
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