Short answer: the Marshall Emberton III for better sound quality, the Soundcore Flare 2 for the lower price. The Marshall Emberton III ranks #99 of 136 medium speakers at $129.99. The Soundcore Flare 2 ranks #105 at $80, $49.99 cheaper.
What the Marshall Emberton III offers: 30 hour battery life - among the best in its class; a 20 min quick-charge gives 4 hours. Set against that: Strange unnatural echo-like sound coloration, bass not as deep as competitors.
On the Soundcore Flare 2 side: Try Alan Ross’s EQ for it. The catch: Rolled off treble. Thuddy bass. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear.
Buy the Marshall Emberton III if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Soundcore Flare 2 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Soundcore Flare 2. It ranks near the bottom of the 136 medium speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
If battery life is a priority, the Marshall Emberton III is rated for 32 hours versus 12 hours for the Soundcore Flare 2.
Specifications Side By Side
| Marshall Emberton III | Soundcore Flare 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129.99 | $80 |
| Ranked | #99 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #105 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 32 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 673 g | 1.3 lbs / 600 g |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| 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 | 2x full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (3 presets via app) | Yes |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | Pointing up |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Aux Input | No | - |
| Output Power | 20W | 20W |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 80ms |
| Max Volume | - | 99dB |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Marshall Emberton II vs Bogasing M5
- Tribit Stormbox vs Bose SoundLink Color II
- Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 vs Marshall Emberton II
- Tribit Stormbox vs Marshall Emberton III
- Beats Pill 2024 vs Marshall Emberton III
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 Marshall Emberton II
- Marshall Emberton III vs Yamaha True X Speaker 1A
- Marshall Emberton III vs Teufel Rockster Go
- Marshall Emberton III vs Sony SRS-XB20
- Marshall Emberton III vs Sony SRS-XB30
- Marshall Emberton III vs Tribit Stormbox
- Marshall Emberton III vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4
- See all 11 comparisons
Soundcore Flare 2: $80 Amazon
Pros: Try Alan Ross’s EQ for it
Cons: Rolled off treble. Thuddy bass. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear.
Full Soundcore Flare 2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 80ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Drivers | 2x full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 20W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 600 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Sony SRS-XB30
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Teufel Rockster Go
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs B&O Beosound Explore
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Marshall Emberton II
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini+
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Sony SRS-XE200
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs LG Xboom Grab
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Skullcandy Terrain/Terrain XT/Terrain XL