Short answer: the Bose SoundLink Max. It ranks #17 of 97 large speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $279; the Marshall Kilburn III ranks #41, rated 3.8/5, and costs $379.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The Bose SoundLink Max is the better-sounding, lighter pick. IP67 rated: dustproof and waterproof to 1m. At 4.9 lbs (2.2 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the Marshall Kilburn III at 6.3 lbs (2.85 kg). It is rated IP67 against IP54 for the Marshall Kilburn III. The catch: Big peak in the upper bass, dipped midrange and lots of peaks and dips above the midrange.
The Marshall Kilburn III is the longer-running option. Spacious soundstage with broad stereo dispersion from Marshall’s True Stereophonic multi-driver layout, delivering warm, room-filling sound with 45Hz bass extension. It is rated for 50 hours of battery against 20 for the Bose SoundLink Max. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the Bose SoundLink Max lacks. It links with other speakers (Auracast), which the Bose SoundLink Max cannot. The catch: Noticeable dips in the midrange compromise frequency response neutrality, making vocals and acoustic instruments sound somewhat recessed or muffled compared to more linear competitors like the JBL Xtreme 4 unless the bass dial is dialed back.
Buy the Bose SoundLink Max. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Marshall Kilburn III and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Max | Marshall Kilburn III | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $279.00 | $379.99 |
| Ranked | #17 of 97 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #41 of 97 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 33ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 50 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP54 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 tweeter) | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 4.9 lbs (2.2 kg) | 6.3 lbs (2.85 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Auracast) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 10.4” x 4.7” x 4.1” (264.7 x 120.1 x 104.9 mm) | 10.7” x 5.9” x 6.7” (272 x 150 x 170 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.5” (63.5mm) midrange drivers + 1x 0.79” (20mm) tweeter | 1x 4” woofer + 2x 2” full-range drivers |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | Yes (built-in strap) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 50W |
| Frequency Response | - | 45Hz - 20kHz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 91dB |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Bose SoundLink Max compares with other leading options:
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Vifa Helsinki
- Bose SoundLink Max vs JBL Xtreme 5
- 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 2, 2026 at 10:18 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
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 III: $379.99 Amazon eBay
Older model: the Marshall Kilburn II (ranked lower, rated 3.8/5).
Pros: Spacious soundstage with broad stereo dispersion from Marshall’s True Stereophonic multi-driver layout, delivering warm, room-filling sound with 45Hz bass extension. Independent physical bass and treble dials allow quick tonal adjustments on the fly, backed by app-based EQ and placement compensation. Battery life is outstanding at up to 50+ hours with USB-C power-bank charging, IP54 splash resistance, 3.5mm aux input, and Bluetooth 5.3 with Auracast broadcast support. Measured bass extension of 45Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Noticeable dips in the midrange compromise frequency response neutrality, making vocals and acoustic instruments sound somewhat recessed or muffled compared to more linear competitors like the JBL Xtreme 4 unless the bass dial is dialed back. Kilburn II retains slightly punchier perceived loudness at maximum volume due to a more aggressive V-shaped contour. At 2.85 kg with only IP54 splash resistance, it is heavy and cannot withstand water immersion. Lacks a built-in microphone and LDAC codec support.
Full Marshall Kilburn III review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 50W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 50 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.7” x 5.9” x 6.7” (272 x 150 x 170 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 4” woofer + 2x 2” full-range drivers |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz |
| IP Rating | IP54 |
| Maximum SPL | 91dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 6.3 lbs (2.85 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Marshall Kilburn III vs Marshall Kilburn II
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