Short answer: the Middleton, even with its own real flaw. It ranks #33 of 120 large speakers at $257.52; the Detroit ranks #81 at $235.11, $22.41 more for a much weaker placement.
The Middleton’s biggest complaint is unusually specific. Our notes describe Marshall’s added DSP echo effect, which cannot be turned off, as very distracting and annoying, like being forced to listen in an echo chamber. Bass is deep but described as artificial and flabby, lacking attack and dynamics.
The Detroit’s problems are Klipsch’s house sound, for better or worse. Weird boosted upper bass that doesn’t go very deep, and boosted lower treble our notes call harsh, like most other Klipsch speakers, covered in more depth on the Klipsch brand page.
Buy the Middleton despite its DSP quirk; the ranking gap is large enough that it’s still the better measured speaker. Buy the Detroit only if you specifically want Klipsch’s horn-driven character over Marshall’s.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A rugged, fully waterproof stereo boombox with a long battery, fast USB-C charging, and power bank output.
A waterproof stereo speaker with very deep bass for its size, a long battery, a power bank and a detachable strap.
Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch Detroit | Marshall Middleton | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $235.11 | $257.52 |
| Ranked | #81 of 120 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #33 of 120 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz | 39Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Broadcast Mode) | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 10W) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) | 4 lbs (1.8 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | No | No |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| Drivers | 2x 76mm fullrange, 2x 25mm tweeters | 2x 75mm woofers, 2x 0.625” tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 13.1” x 4.2” x 4.7” (334 x 107 x 119 mm) | 9.1” x 3.7” x 4.3” (230 x 95 x 109 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 30W RMS | 50W |
| Maximum SPL | 93dB (Manufacturer specified) | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | Yes (detachable strap) |
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