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 XG5 ranks #120, rated 2.4/5, at $99, $61.03 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap. 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.
What the Marshall Emberton III does well: 30 hour battery life - among the best in its class; a 20 min quick-charge gives 4 hours. The tradeoff: Strange unnatural echo-like sound coloration, bass not as deep as competitors.
What the LG Xboom XG5 does well: IP67 rated. Watch for: Peaky midrange, rolled off treble.
Buy the Marshall Emberton III. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $61.03 you would save on the LG Xboom XG5 does not close the gap.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the Marshall Emberton III is rated for 32 hours, the LG Xboom XG5 only 18 hours.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Marshall Emberton III | LG Xboom XG5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $160.03 | $99.00 |
| Ranked | #104 of 144 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #120 of 144 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (LG XBOOM app) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 32 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) | Yes (Wireless Party Link, up to 10 speakers) |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (673 g) | 1.5 lbs (680 g) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 6.3” x 2.7” x 3” (160 x 68 x 76 mm) | 8.7” x 3.3” x 3.1” (222 x 83 x 80 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2” full-range cone drivers + 2x 2” passive radiators | 1x 42x80mm track-type woofer + 1x passive radiator |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (3 presets via app) | Yes (App EQ) |
| 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 | - |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- Soundcore Motion 300 vs Marshall Emberton III
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- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Marshall Emberton III
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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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- Marshall Emberton III vs Teufel Rockster Go
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LG Xboom XG5: $99.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: IP67 rated. 18 hour battery life (~17 hrs confirmed in testing) with fast USB-C charging. Wireless Party Link connects up to 10 speakers.
Cons: Peaky midrange, rolled off treble. Not very good sounding
Full LG Xboom XG5 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 20W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (LG XBOOM app) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7” x 3.3” x 3.1” (222 x 83 x 80 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 42x80mm track-type woofer + 1x passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Party Link, up to 10 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (680 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- LG Xboom XG5 vs LG Xboom Go PL5
- LG Xboom XG5 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini
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- LG Xboom XG5 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini+
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- LG Xboom XG5 vs Marshall Emberton II
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