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 Skullcandy Terrain XL ranks #168, rated 2.1/5, at $79.99, $100 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 179 medium speakers; for better sound, the EarFun Uboom L ranks #2 at $49.79.
The Marshall Emberton III is the better-sounding, longer-running choice. A tough waterproof speaker with Marshall styling and a very long battery, plus quick charging. It is rated for 32 hours of battery against 18 for the Skullcandy Terrain XL. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Skullcandy Terrain XL lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Skullcandy Terrain XL. Watch for: Strange unnatural echo-like sound coloration, bass not as deep as competitors.
The case for the Skullcandy Terrain XL: A very loud, long running Terrain speaker, waterproof with a wrist wrap and 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 $100 you would save on the Skullcandy Terrain XL does not close the gap.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Marshall Emberton III | Skullcandy Terrain XL | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $179.99 | $79.99 |
| Ranked | #126 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #168 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 32 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) | Yes (SKDY Multi-Link, up to 99 speakers) |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (673 g) | 1.4 lbs (635 g) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 6.3” 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) |
| Drivers | 2x 2” full-range cone drivers + 2x 2” passive radiators | 2x 48mm drivers + passive radiators |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (3 presets via app) | No |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 20W | 2 x 20W |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | Yes (wrist strap) |
| Maximum SPL | - | 95dB SPL (Manufacturer specified) |
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