Short answer: the Klipsch Groove, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #105 of 157 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 2.8/5, at $9; the Marshall Emberton II ranks #116, rated 2.7/5, and costs $144.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 157 medium speakers, and the Earfun Uboom L, ranked #1 at $49.79, is a better place to start if sound quality matters.
The case for the Klipsch Groove: Pretty balanced sound in a compact, splash-resistant form factor. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the Marshall Emberton II lacks. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Marshall Emberton II lacks. The tradeoff: Bass doesn’t go as deep as class leaders.
The Marshall Emberton II is the longer-running, tougher pick. 30 hour battery life: among the best in its class; a 20 min quick-charge gives 4 hours. It is rated for 30 hours of battery against 8 for the Klipsch Groove. It is rated IP67 against IPX4 for the Klipsch Groove. It links with other speakers (Marshall Stack), which the Klipsch Groove cannot. Watch for: Strange unnatural echo-like sound coloration, bass not as deep as competitors.
Buy the Klipsch Groove. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Marshall Emberton II and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch Groove | Marshall Emberton II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | 9.00 | $144.99 |
| Ranked | #105 of 157 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #116 of 157 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IP67 |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| TWS | No | No |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (770 g) | 1.5 lbs (700 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.0 | 5.1 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC |
| Dimensions | 5” x 6” x 2.6” (127 x 152 x 67 mm) | 6.3” x 2.7” x 3” (160 x 68 x 76 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 3” full-range driver + 2x side-firing passive radiators | 2x 2” full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| App | No | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes (3 presets via app) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 10W RMS | 20W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Strap | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 62Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 80ms |
| Maximum SPL | - | 88dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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
Klipsch Groove: 9.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Pretty balanced sound in a compact, splash-resistant form factor. IPX4 water resistance and ~8 hour battery life make it durable for outdoor and poolside use. 3-inch high excursion full-range driver paired with dual side-firing passive radiators.
Cons: Not stereo. Bass doesn’t go as deep as class leaders. Distortion sets in at higher output levels. Older Bluetooth 4.0 architecture without app EQ.
Full Klipsch Groove review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 10W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5” x 6” x 2.6” (127 x 152 x 67 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 3” full-range driver + 2x side-firing passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (770 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
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Marshall Emberton II: $144.99 Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Marshall Emberton III, ranked higher, rated 2.7/5.
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 | Yes |
| 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 |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (700 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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