Short answer: the Marshall Emberton II, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #127 of 179 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 2.7/5, at $151.99; the LG Xboom Go PL5 ranks #149, rated 2.4/5, and costs $289, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 179 medium speakers, so if sound quality matters, consider the EarFun Uboom L instead, ranked #2 at $49.79.
The Marshall Emberton II is the better-sounding, deeper-bass pick. A tough waterproof speaker with Marshall styling, a very long battery and quick charging. Its bass reaches about 62Hz before falling 10dB, against 71Hz for the LG Xboom Go PL5. It is rated for 30 hours of battery against 15 for the LG Xboom Go PL5. It is rated IP67 against IPX5 for the LG Xboom Go PL5. The catch: Strange unnatural echo-like sound coloration, bass not as deep as competitors.
The LG Xboom Go PL5 is the louder choice. A water resistant speaker with music synced LED lights, USB-C charging and Party Link for many speakers. Alan Ross Reviews measured it at 100dB at full volume, against 88dB for the Marshall Emberton II. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the Marshall Emberton II lacks. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Marshall Emberton II lacks. The tradeoff: Barely any bass.
Buy the Marshall Emberton II. It is rated higher for sound quality than the LG Xboom Go PL5 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.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Marshall Emberton II | LG Xboom Go PL5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $151.99 | $289.00 |
| Ranked | #127 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #149 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (LG XBOOM App) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz | 71Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 80ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 88dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) | Yes (Wireless Party Link, up to 100 speakers) |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (700 g) | 1.4 lbs (640 g) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX5 |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.1 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| Dimensions | 6.3” x 2.7” x 3” (160 x 68 x 76 mm) | 7.9” x 3.1” x 3.1” (201 x 79 x 79 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2” full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators | 2x 1.75-inch woofers + 2x passive radiators |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (3 presets via app) | Yes (via app) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | 20W | 20W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | - |
| Lights | - | Yes |
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