Short answer: the KEF Muo gen2 on sound, the Marshall Emberton II on battery life. KEF seemed to have fixed the rolled off treble and overall balance, though the Muo lacks deeper bass. The Emberton II runs 30 hour battery life, among the best in its class, but it has a strange, unnatural echo-like sound coloration and its bass is not as deep as competitors.
What the KEF Muo gen2 gets right: KEF seemed to have fixed the rolled off treble and overall balance. The tradeoff: Lacking deeper bass.
On the Marshall Emberton II side: 30 hour battery life - among the best in its class. The tradeoff: Strange unnatural echo-like sound coloration, bass not as deep as competitors.
Buy the KEF Muo gen2 when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Marshall Emberton II when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF Muo gen2 | Marshall Emberton II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249.99 | $155.99 |
| Ranked | #76 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #103 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX Adaptive up to 48 kHz 24 bit | SBC |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Weight | 1.6 lbs (740 g) | 1.5 lbs (700 g) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.1 |
| Drivers | 1x 58x117mm racetrack woofer, 1x 20mm tweeter | 2x 2" full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 8.5" x 3.2" x 2.3" (216 x 82 x 59 mm) | 6.3" x 2.7" x 3" (160 x 68 x 76 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 43Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 20W |
| Maximum SPL | 90dB (Manufacturer specified) | 88dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (3 presets via app) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 62Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 80ms |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
| Power Bank | - | 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
KEF Muo gen2: $249.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: KEF seemed to have fixed the rolled off treble and overall balance
Cons: Lacking deeper bass. Very thuddy bass. Appears to be the exact same hardware but with updated tuning. Bass distorts as volume increases, and the claimed 43Hz extension is really only audible at low listening volumes, with a few seconds of lag after volume changes. Loses most of its bass off-axis. Customer reviews are mixed, ranging from praise for detail at low volume to complaints of a boxy, hollow sound.
Full KEF Muo gen2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 40W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX Adaptive up to 48 kHz 24 bit |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 8.5" x 3.2" x 2.3" (216 x 82 x 59 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 58x117mm racetrack woofer, 1x 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 43Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 90dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.6 lbs (740 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Marshall Emberton II: $155.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: 30 hour battery life - among the best in its class; a 20 min quick-charge gives 4 hours. IP67 rated, durable rubbery build using 50% recycled plastic. Measured bass extension of 62Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Strange unnatural echo-like sound coloration, bass not as deep as competitors. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear. Not very loud.
Full Marshall Emberton II review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 20W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 80ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.3" x 2.7" x 3" (160 x 68 x 76 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2" full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (3 presets via app) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 88dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (700 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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