Short answer: the Marshall Emberton III, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #104 of 144 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 2.7/5, at $160.03; the LG Xboom Go PL5 ranks #119, rated 2.4/5, and costs $179, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 144 medium speakers, and the Earfun Uboom L, ranked #1 at $49.79, is a better place to start if sound quality matters.
The case for the Marshall Emberton III: 30 hour battery life - among the best in its class; a 20 min quick-charge gives 4 hours. The catch: Strange unnatural echo-like sound coloration, bass not as deep as competitors.
Why pick the LG Xboom Go PL5: 18 hour battery life; IPX5 rated. The tradeoff: 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.
Battery life favors the Marshall Emberton III: rated for 32 hours against 15 hours for the LG Xboom Go PL5.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Marshall Emberton III | LG Xboom Go PL5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $160.03 | $179.00 |
| Ranked | #104 of 144 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #119 of 144 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 Version | 5.3 | - |
| 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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Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Marshall Emberton III: $160.03 Amazon eBay
Older model: the Marshall Emberton II (rated 2.7/5).
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. Measured bass extension of 62Hz (-10dB).
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. Not really any different from the Emberton II except having the treble turned down a little bit.
Full Marshall Emberton III review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 20W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz |
| Battery Life | 32 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.3” x 2.7” x 3” (160 x 68 x 76 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2” full-range cone drivers + 2x 2” passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (3 presets via app) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (673 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Marshall Emberton III vs Bose SoundLink Color II
- Marshall Emberton III vs Marshall Emberton II
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LG Xboom Go PL5: $179.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: 18 hour battery life; IPX5 rated. LED lights sync to music via the LG XBOOM app; Wireless Party Link connects up to 100 speakers. USB-C charging. Measured bass extension of 71Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Barely any bass. 14kHz peak, bright on top. Soundboost mode makes the top end even harsher.
Full LG Xboom Go PL5 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 20W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (LG XBOOM App) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 71Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.9” x 3.1” x 3.1” (201 x 79 x 79 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 1.75-inch woofers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (via app) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Party Link, up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs (640 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- LG Xboom Go PL5 vs LG Xboom XG5
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- LG Xboom Go PL5 vs Marshall Emberton II
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