Short answer: the KEF Muo gen2 on measured sound quality, the Marshall Emberton III on price. The KEF Muo gen2 ranks #73 of 136 medium speakers at $249.99. The Marshall Emberton III ranks #99 at $165.04, $84.95 cheaper.
What the KEF Muo gen2 offers: KEF seemed to have fixed the rolled off treble and overall balance Watch for: 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.
What the Marshall Emberton III offers: 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. Watch for: Strange unnatural echo-like sound coloration, bass not as deep as competitors. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear. Not very loud. Not really any different from the Emberton II except having the treble turned down a little bit.
Buy the KEF Muo gen2 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Marshall Emberton III if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF Muo gen2 | Marshall Emberton III | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249.99 | $165.04 |
| Ranked | #73 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #99 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 32 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 / 673 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Drivers | 1x 58x117mm racetrack woofer, 1x 20mm tweeter | 2x 2" full-range cone drivers + 2x 2" 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) | - |
| Output Power | 40W | 20W |
| Max Volume | 90dB | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 62Hz |
| EQ | - | Yes (3 presets via app) |
| Built in Microphone | - | Yes |
| Power Input | - | USB-C |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Aux Input | - | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked August 27, 2026 at 10:09 PM 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 →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Frequency Response | 43Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 90dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.6 lbs / 740 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Marshall Emberton III: $165.04 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.
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. Not really any different from the Emberton II except having the treble turned down a little bit.
Full Marshall Emberton III review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz |
| Battery Life | 32 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.3" x 2.7" x 3" (160 x 68 x 76 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2" full-range cone drivers + 2x 2" passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (3 presets via app) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Output Power | 20W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 673 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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