Short answer: the Stockwell 2, if the extra $50.04 and its DSP reverb aren’t dealbreakers. It’s rated 4.5 and ranks #11 of 78 large speakers at $229.99. The Charge 5 is rated 4.0 and ranks #28 of 142 medium speakers at $179.95.
Our notes call the Stockwell 2 possibly the most natural sounding Marshall speaker, with excellent off-axis behavior. The catch is a DSP reverb effect that’s always on, which our notes say audio purists may find annoying, and it isn’t stereo or especially loud.
The Charge 5’s complaints are more conventional. A warm sound, shouty upper mids, boosted bass, and slightly rolled-off treble, plus a price our notes call overly expensive for what it delivers. It does double as a USB power bank, which the Stockwell 2 doesn’t.
Buy the Stockwell 2 for the more natural sound and higher rating, if you can live with the always-on reverb. Buy the Charge 5 for the power bank function and JBL’s broader ecosystem.
Water resistance is not close: the JBL Charge 5 is rated at IP67 (brief submersion), well ahead of the Marshall Stockwell 2 at IPX4 (splashing).
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 5 | Marshall Stockwell 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $179.95 | $229.99 |
| Ranked | #28 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #11 of 78 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | 44Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | No |
| Bluetooth Latency | 125ms | 50ms |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | No |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (960 g) | 3.1 lbs (1.4 kg) |
| Aux Input | No | 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) | 7.1" x 6.3" x 2.8" (180 x 161 x 70 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 3" woofer, 2x 2" fullrange tweeters |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX4 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 20W |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 22, 2026 at 5:11 AM 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
JBL Charge 5: $179.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Doubles as a power bank (USB-A out) for charging your phone. IP67 rated, survives a 1m dunk for 30 minutes. ~20 hour battery life. Measured bass extension of 53Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not stereo. Warm sound. Shouty upper mids. Boosted bass. Slightly rolled off treble. Overly expensive.
Full JBL Charge 5 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 40W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 125ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (960 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Marshall Stockwell 2: $229.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Marshall Stockwell 2 uses 3” woofer, 2x 2” fullrange tweeters. Its 1.4 kg, claimed 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IPX4 protection, aux input, up to 96dB and mono playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Measured bass extension of 44Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 44Hz specification. There is no companion app. No EQ adjustment.
Full Marshall Stockwell 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 20W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 50ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.1" x 6.3" x 2.8" (180 x 161 x 70 mm) |
| Drivers | 3" woofer, 2x 2" fullrange tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 3.1 lbs (1.4 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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