Short answer: the Marshall Emberton III, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #126 of 179 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 2.7/5, at $179.99. The Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 ranks #177, rated 2.0/5, at $62.99, $117 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 179 medium speakers, and the EarFun Uboom L, ranked #2 at $49.79, is a better place to start if sound quality matters.
The Marshall Emberton III is the better-sounding, lighter pick. A tough waterproof speaker with Marshall styling and a very long battery, plus quick charging. At 1.5 lbs (673 g) it weighs much less than the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 at 2.7 lbs (1.22 kg). It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. The catch: Strange unnatural echo-like sound coloration, bass not as deep as competitors.
Why pick the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2: A nearly indestructible waterproof speaker that doubles as a power bank, with a clip for bikes, kayaks or backpacks. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Marshall Emberton III lacks. The tradeoff: Barely any bass, “pathetic sounding” said Jay’s Reviews of the line generally.
Buy the Marshall Emberton III. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $117 saving on the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 is not enough to make up the difference.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Marshall Emberton III | Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $179.99 | $62.99 |
| Ranked | #126 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #177 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 32 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) | - |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (673 g) | 2.7 lbs (1.22 kg) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | - |
| Dimensions | 6.3” x 2.7” x 3” (160 x 68 x 76 mm) | 8.6” x 4.2” x 4.6” (218 x 107 x 117 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2” full-range cone drivers + 2x 2” passive radiators | 4.5” (114mm) woofer |
| TWS | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (3 presets via app) | - |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Power Bank | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | 20W | 10W |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | Yes (mounting clip) |
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