Marshall Emberton III vs Skullcandy Terrain XL

Last updated: September 26, 2026

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 Skullcandy Terrain XL ranks #134, rated 2.1/5, at $79.99, $80.04 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 144 medium speakers; for better sound, the Earfun Uboom L ranks #1 at $49.79.

Marshall Emberton III vs Skullcandy Terrain XL

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. Watch for: Strange unnatural echo-like sound coloration, bass not as deep as competitors.

The case for the Skullcandy Terrain XL: The loudest and longest-running of the Terrain line at 95dB and 18 hours, and the only one with a built-in microphone. The tradeoff: Shares the Terrain line’s tuning: no bass, very rolled off treble, and distortion in the treble.

Buy the Marshall Emberton III. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $80.04 you would save on the Skullcandy Terrain XL does not close the gap.

If battery life is a priority, the Marshall Emberton III is rated for 32 hours versus 18 hours for the Skullcandy Terrain XL.

Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.

Specifications Side By Side

Marshall Emberton III Skullcandy Terrain XL
Price$160.03$79.99
Ranked#104 of 144 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#134 of 144 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYesYes
Bass Extension (-10dB)62Hz-
Battery Life32 hours (Manufacturer specified)18 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Party ModeYes (Marshall Stack)Yes (SKDY Multi-Link, up to 99 speakers)
Weight1.5 lbs (673 g)1.4 lbs (635 g)
IP RatingIP67IPX7
Bluetooth Version5.35.3
Dimensions6.3” x 2.7” x 3” (160 x 68 x 76 mm)7.5” x 3.5” x 3.5” (190.5 x 88.9 x 88.9 mm)
Drivers2x 2” full-range cone drivers + 2x 2” passive radiators2x 48mm drivers + passive radiators
TWSNoYes
EQYes (3 presets via app)No
Built-in MicrophoneYesYes
StereoYesNo
OmnidirectionalYesNo
Power InputUSB-CUSB-C
Power BankNo-
Aux InputNoNo
Amplifier Power20W2 x 20W
Bluetooth CodecsSBCSBC
Digital Aux InputNoNo
StrapNoYes (wrist strap)
Maximum SPL-95dB SPL (Manufacturer specified)

How Marshall Emberton III compares with other leading options:

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.

As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.

The Two Speakers In Full

Marshall Emberton III: $160.03 Amazon eBay

Marshall Emberton III ranking card

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.

Amplifier Power20W
AppYes
Aux InputNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)62Hz
Battery Life32 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Version5.3
Built-in MicrophoneYes
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions6.3” x 2.7” x 3” (160 x 68 x 76 mm)
Drivers2x 2” full-range cone drivers + 2x 2” passive radiators
EQYes (3 presets via app)
IP RatingIP67
OmnidirectionalYes
Party ModeYes (Marshall Stack)
Power BankNo
Power InputUSB-C
StereoYes
StrapNo
TWSNo
Weight1.5 lbs (673 g)

Skullcandy Terrain XL: $79.99 Amazon eBay

Skullcandy Terrain XL ranking card

Pros: The loudest and longest-running of the Terrain line at 95dB and 18 hours, and the only one with a built-in microphone. IPX7 rated with a nylon wrist wrap. Multi-Link pairs it with other Skullcandy speakers.

Cons: Shares the Terrain line’s tuning: no bass, very rolled off treble, and distortion in the treble. The extra size buys volume and runtime, not better sound.

Amplifier Power2 x 20W
AppYes
Aux InputNo
Battery Life18 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Version5.3
Built-in MicrophoneYes
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions7.5” x 3.5” x 3.5” (190.5 x 88.9 x 88.9 mm)
Drivers2x 48mm drivers + passive radiators
EQNo
IP RatingIPX7
Maximum SPL95dB SPL (Manufacturer specified)
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (SKDY Multi-Link, up to 99 speakers)
Power InputUSB-C
StereoNo
StrapYes (wrist strap)
TWSYes
Weight1.4 lbs (635 g)