Different classes, so treat this as a step-up-or-not question rather than a head-to-head. The JBL Charge 5 ranks #30 of 179 medium speakers by sound quality at $114.95; the Marshall Kilburn II ranks #42 of 120 large speakers by sound quality at $219.
The JBL Charge 5 is the lighter, tougher choice. A rugged, fully waterproof speaker with punchy, warm sound and long battery life that also charges your phone. At 2.1 lbs (960 g) it weighs much less than the Marshall Kilburn II at 5.5 lbs (2.49 kg). It is rated IP67 against IPX2 for the Marshall Kilburn II. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the Marshall Kilburn II lacks. The tradeoff: Shouty upper mids.
The case for the Marshall Kilburn II: A rugged Marshall styled stereo speaker with a leather handle, quick charging and a sound that suits rock. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Charge 5 lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the JBL Charge 5. The tradeoff: Boosted upper bass, not very detailed, not as deep bass as competitors, upper mids peak.
Buy the JBL Charge 5 ($114.95) for a medium speaker; the Marshall Kilburn II ($219) suits a large speaker instead.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 5 | Marshall Kilburn II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $114.95 | $219.00 |
| Ranked | #30 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #42 of 120 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | No |
| Bluetooth Latency | 125ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 102dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | No |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (960 g) | 5.5 lbs (2.49 kg) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) | 9.6” x 6.4” x 5.5” (243 x 162 x 140 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 1x 4” (102mm) woofer + 2x 20mm dome tweeters |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX2 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 36W |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | Yes (built-in strap) |
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