Short answer: the Marshall Emberton III. It ranks #99 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $129.99; the Marshall Emberton II ranks #100 and costs $144.37, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Marshall Emberton III gets right: 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.
What the Marshall Emberton II offers: 30 hour battery life - among the best in its class; a 20 min quick-charge gives 4 hours. Watch for: Strange unnatural echo-like sound coloration, bass not as deep as competitors.
Buy the Marshall Emberton III. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Marshall Emberton II and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Marshall Emberton III | Marshall Emberton II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129.99 | $144.37 |
| Ranked | #99 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #100 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz | 62Hz |
| Battery Life | 32 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 673 g | 1.5 lbs / 700 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) | 6.3" x 2.7" x 3" (160 x 68 x 76 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2" full-range cone drivers + 2x 2" passive radiators | 2x 2" full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| TWS | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (3 presets via app) | Yes (3 presets via app) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Output Power | 20W | 20W |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 80ms |
| Max Volume | - | 88dB |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Marshall Emberton III: $129.99 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. Not really any different from the Emberton II except having the treble turned down a little bit.
Full Marshall Emberton III review and specifications →
| 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 |
| Output Power | 20W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 673 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Marshall Emberton III vs Bose SoundLink Color II
- Marshall Emberton III vs Yamaha True X Speaker 1A
- Marshall Emberton III vs Sony SRS-XB20
- Marshall Emberton III vs Sony SRS-XB30
- Marshall Emberton III vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4
- Marshall Emberton III vs Beats Pill 2024
- Marshall Emberton III vs Sony ULT Field 3
- Marshall Emberton III vs Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen
Marshall Emberton II: $144.37 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 |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| 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
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- Reddit Search for Marshall Emberton II Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Marshall Emberton II vs Bose SoundLink Color II
- Marshall Emberton II vs Sony SRS-XB30
- Marshall Emberton II vs Yamaha True X Speaker 1A
- Marshall Emberton II vs Soundcore Flare 2
- Marshall Emberton II vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4
- Marshall Emberton II vs KEF Muo gen2
- Marshall Emberton II vs Sony ULT Field 3
- Marshall Emberton II vs Turtlebox Ranger
- See all 11 comparisons