Short answer: the Bose SoundLink Max for ruggedness, but both have uneven bass. The Max is IP67 rated, dustproof and waterproof to 1m, yet it has a big peak in the upper bass, a dipped midrange and lots of peaks and dips above the midrange. The Kilburn II pairs a 20W Class D amp with dual 8W tweeters but is not very detailed, has boosted upper bass, an upper mids peak and less deep bass than competitors.
Buy the Bose SoundLink Max. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Marshall Kilburn II at the same price, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the Bose SoundLink Max at IP67 (brief submersion) against the Marshall Kilburn II, which has IPX2 (light drips).
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Max | Marshall Kilburn II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $279.00 | $279.00 |
| Ranked | #17 of 102 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #43 of 102 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 33ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX2 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 tweeter) | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 4.9 lbs (2.2 kg) | 5.5 lbs (2.49 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | No | No |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 10.4” x 4.7” x 4.1” (264.7 x 120.1 x 104.9 mm) | 9.6” x 6.4” x 5.5” (243 x 162 x 140 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.5” (63.5mm) midrange drivers + 1x 0.79” (20mm) tweeter | 1x 4” (102mm) woofer + 2x 20mm dome tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | Yes (built-in strap) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 36W |
| Maximum SPL | - | 102dB (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Bose SoundLink Max compares with other leading options:
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- Bose SoundLink Max vs Tribit Stormbox Lava
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Brane X
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Minirig 4 with subwoofer
Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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 Max: $279.00 Amazon eBay
Smaller models: the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen (rated 3.8/5) and the Bose Soundlink Micro (rated 3.5/5).
Pros: IP67 rated: dustproof and waterproof to 1m. Up to 20 hour battery; real-world testing found 43+ hours. Deep, rich bass with neutral tuning, app EQ. USB-C doubles as device charger. Sturdy carry handle. The aux input has lower latency (about 33ms) than most Bluetooth connections. Measured bass extension of 48Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Big peak in the upper bass, dipped midrange and lots of peaks and dips above the midrange. Bass not as deep as a Boom 2. Gets distorted above 80%. Self drains the battery about 20% a week.
Full Bose SoundLink Max review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 33ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.4” x 4.7” x 4.1” (264.7 x 120.1 x 104.9 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.5” (63.5mm) midrange drivers + 1x 0.79” (20mm) tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 tweeter) |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4.9 lbs (2.2 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Bose SoundLink Max & SoundCore Boom 2 - indoor soundtest More from Oluv’Sone →
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Bose SoundLink Max & SoundCore Boom 2 - outdoor soundtest
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bose Max, the worlds most overpriced speaker? its a shocker! More from alanrossreviews →
- Oluv Patreon: Marshall Middleton II - first impressions
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Bose SoundLink Max vs. Ultimate Ears EpicBoom 🤑Big Bucks No Whammies? 💣 Let’s Find Out 😧 More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Bose SoundLink Max vs Tribit XSound Mega 😲 Can the Budget Priced Speaker Hang With the Big $ One?
- Scott’s Reviews: Bose SoundLink Max First Impressions, Unboxing, and Sound Test. More from ScottsReviews →
- Mateusz Cholewa: BOGASING S8 Pro Max 100W vs BOSE Soundlink MAX More from Mateusz Cholewa →
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Marshall Kilburn II: $279.00 Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Marshall Kilburn III, ranked higher, rated 3.8/5.
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 →
| 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
- Storytripper HD: Marshall Acton 2 vs Marshall Kilburn 2 More from storytripperhd →
- Mateusz Cholewa: Marshall Kilburn 3 vs Marshall Kilburn 2 More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- Mateusz Cholewa: New 2025😎 Marshall Kilburn 3 UNBOXING 📦Audio TEST vs Kilburn 2
- Mateusz Cholewa: Marshall Kilburn 3 DEEP BASS👌💪💖🆚 Marshall Kilburn 2 Outside
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