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 Middleton ranks #33 of 120 large speakers by sound quality at $257.52.
The JBL Charge 5 is the lighter option. 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 Middleton at 4 lbs (1.8 kg). It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the Marshall Middleton lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Marshall Middleton lacks. Watch for: Shouty upper mids.
The Marshall Middleton is the deeper-bass option. A waterproof stereo speaker with very deep bass for its size, a long battery, a power bank and a detachable strap. Its bass reaches about 39Hz before falling 10dB, against 53Hz for the JBL Charge 5. 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: 5db dip at 1.7kHz and 6.3kHz.
Buy the JBL Charge 5 at $114.95 for a medium speaker, or the Marshall Middleton at $257.52 for a large speaker instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 5 | Marshall Middleton | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $114.95 | $257.52 |
| Ranked | #30 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #33 of 120 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | 39Hz |
| 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) | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (960 g) | 4 lbs (1.8 kg) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) | 9.1” x 3.7” x 4.3” (230 x 95 x 109 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 2x 75mm woofers, 2x 0.625” tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 50W |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | Yes (detachable strap) |
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