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 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, 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, deeper-bass pick. A tough waterproof speaker with Marshall styling and a very long battery, plus quick charging. Its bass reaches about 62Hz before falling 10dB, against 71Hz for the LG Xboom Go PL5. It is rated for 32 hours of battery against 15 for the LG Xboom Go PL5. It is rated IP67 against IPX5 for the LG Xboom Go PL5. The tradeoff: Strange unnatural echo-like sound coloration, bass not as deep as competitors.
Why pick the LG Xboom Go PL5: A water resistant speaker with music synced LED lights, USB-C charging and Party Link for many speakers. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the Marshall Emberton III lacks. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Marshall Emberton III lacks. The catch: Barely any bass.
Buy the Marshall Emberton III. 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 III | LG Xboom Go PL5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $179.99 | $289.00 |
| Ranked | #126 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 | 32 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) | Yes (Wireless Party Link, up to 100 speakers) |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (673 g) | 1.4 lbs (640 g) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX5 |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| 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 cone drivers + 2x 2” 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | 20W | 20W |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | - |
| Maximum SPL | - | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Lights | - | Yes |
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