Short answer: the Cleer Audio Scene. It ranks #29 of 135 medium speakers by sound quality at $74.99; the Marshall Emberton II ranks #99 and costs $157.86, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
Where the Marshall Emberton II shines: It offers a 30-hour battery life, among the best in its class, with a 20-minute quick charge good for 4 hours, plus an IP67 rating and a durable rubbery build made from 50% recycled plastic. Where it falls short: it has a strange, unnatural echo-like coloration, bass that doesn’t dig as deep as competitors, sound that only fires front and rear rather than truly 360 degrees, and it isn’t very loud.
The Cleer Audio Scene’s strengths: A quite neutral frequency response, nearly indistinguishable from the very neutral Flip 6 aside from weaker bass extension. But: it lacks an app, EQ, stereo pairing, and multipoint, sounds best only right in front of it, and it’s bigger and heavier than most speakers its size.
Buy the Cleer Audio Scene. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Marshall Emberton II and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the Marshall Emberton II is rated for 30 hours versus 12 hours for the Cleer Audio Scene.
Specifications Side By Side
| Marshall Emberton II | Cleer Audio Scene | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $157.86 | $74.99 |
| Ranked | #99 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #29 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz | ~62Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 80ms | - |
| Max Volume | 88dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) | - |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 700 g | 1.6 lbs / 742 g |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | AAC, SBC |
| Dimensions | 6.3" x 2.7" x 3" (160 x 68 x 76 mm) | 8.5" x 3" x 3.5" (217 x 76 x 89 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2" full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators | 2x 48mm neodymium dome drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| TWS | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (3 presets via app) | No |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Output Power | 20W | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
The Two Speakers In Full
Marshall Emberton II: $157.86 Amazon
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.
Full Marshall Emberton II review and specifications →
| 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 |
| Max Volume | 88dB |
| Output Power | 20W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 700 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
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- Reddit Search for Marshall Emberton II Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Cleer Audio Scene: $74.99 Amazon
Pros: Quite neutral frequency response, almost indistinguishable from the very neutral Flip 6 besides the worse bass extension.
Cons: Less bass extension than a Flip 6. No app, EQ, stereo pairing, or multipoint. Sound is fairly directional - best right in front of it. Bigger and heavier than most speakers this size.
Full Cleer Audio Scene review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~62Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.5" x 3" x 3.5" (217 x 76 x 89 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 48mm neodymium dome drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.6 lbs / 742 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons