Short answer: the Soundcore Glow. It ranks #43 of 135 medium speakers by sound quality at $80; the Marshall Emberton II ranks #99 and costs $157.86, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The Marshall Emberton II’s strengths: 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. But: 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.
In its favor, the Soundcore Glow: A nice light show, with the treble boosted about 7db, though it isn’t technically a 360 speaker, only firing front and rear. Against it: its bass falls off quickly at louder volumes leaving mostly treble with distortion on bass-heavy tracks at full volume, the light effects and bass boost noticeably shorten battery life, and the USB-C port doesn’t support power-bank charging.
Buy the Soundcore Glow. 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 18 hours for the Soundcore Glow.
Specifications Side By Side
| Marshall Emberton II | Soundcore Glow | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $157.86 | $80 |
| Ranked | #99 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #43 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 80ms | - |
| Max Volume | 88dB | 100dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 700 g | 1.8 lbs / 800 g |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | AAC, SBC |
| Dimensions | 6.3" x 2.7" x 3" (160 x 68 x 76 mm) | 11.4" x 4.7" x 4.3" (290 x 120 x 110 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2" full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators | 63.5mm full-range driver + 2x passive radiators |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (3 presets via app) | Yes |
| Built in Microphone | No | - |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Output Power | 20W | 30W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
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
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Marshall Emberton vs Marshall Stockwell 2 - little guy goes louder?? 🤓
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bose Soundlink Flex vs Minirig MK3 and Marshall Emberton - best bluetooth speaker?
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Flip 6 vs Marshall Emberton review - mono or pseudo surround sound? 🤷♀️
- Alan Ross Reviews: Marshall Emberton vs JBL Flip 5 & Soundcore Boost - true stereophonic 🤓
- Passione Speaker: Bass Test Marshall Emberton 2 vs Emberton 3
- Reddit Search for Marshall Emberton II Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Soundcore Glow: $80 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: Nice light show. Treble boosted 7db. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear.
Cons: Bass falls off quickly at louder volumes, leaving mostly treble; distortion on bass-heavy tracks at full volume. Light effects and bass-boost noticeably shorten battery life. USB-C port doesn’t support power-bank charging.
Full Soundcore Glow review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.4" x 4.7" x 4.3" (290 x 120 x 110 mm) |
| Drivers | 63.5mm full-range driver + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 100dB |
| Output Power | 30W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs / 800 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons