Short answer: the Bose SoundLink Max. It ranks #17 of 115 large speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $399. The Marshall Stockwell III ranks #79, rated 3.0/5, at $249.99, $149.01 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The Bose SoundLink Max is the better-sounding, tougher pick. A rugged waterproof speaker with deep bass, a very long real world battery and a port that charges your phone. It is rated IP67 against IP55 for the Marshall Stockwell III. The catch: Big peak in the upper bass, dipped midrange and lots of peaks and dips above the midrange.
The Marshall Stockwell III is the longer-running, lighter choice. A stylish, rugged speaker with a very long battery you can swap yourself, a detailed app EQ, and power bank charging. It is rated for 40 hours of battery against 20 for the Bose SoundLink Max. At 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg) it weighs much less than the Bose SoundLink Max at 4.9 lbs (2.2 kg). It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the Bose SoundLink Max lacks. The tradeoff: Highs are recessed by default and need the treble control maxed to compensate, still lacking detail even then.
Buy the Bose SoundLink Max. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $149.01 you would save on the Marshall Stockwell III does not close the gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A rugged waterproof speaker with deep bass, a very long real world battery and a port that charges your phone.
A stylish, rugged speaker with a very long battery you can swap yourself, a detailed app EQ, and power bank charging.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Max | Marshall Stockwell III | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $249.99 |
| Ranked | #17 of 115 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #79 of 115 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 33ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 40+ hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP55 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 tweeter) | Partially |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| Weight | 4.9 lbs (2.2 kg) | 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LE Audio with LC3 |
| EQ | No | Yes (parametric, via app) |
| Party Mode | No | - |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 10.4” x 4.7” x 4.1” (264.7 x 120.1 x 104.9 mm) | 7.1” x 6.4” x 2.9” (180 x 162 x 74 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.5” (63.5mm) midrange drivers + 1x 0.79” (20mm) tweeter | 1x 3” woofer, 2x 1.75” wide-band drivers |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | Yes (detachable strap) |
| Frequency Response | - | 54Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 44W |
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