Short answer: the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 for better sound quality, the Marshall Emberton III for the lower price. The Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 ranks #83 of 136 medium speakers at $163. The Marshall Emberton III ranks #99 at $129.99, $33.01 cheaper.
On the Marshall Emberton III side: 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.
What the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 gets right: IP67 rated, floats, and survives drops from up to 1 meter. The tradeoff: Not stereo, barely any bass.
Buy the Marshall Emberton III if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 if sound quality matters more than the price.
If battery life is a priority, the Marshall Emberton III is rated for 32 hours versus 20 hours for the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3.
Specifications Side By Side
| Marshall Emberton III | Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129.99 | $163 |
| Ranked | #99 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #83 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz | 70Hz |
| Battery Life | 32 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) | Yes (PartyUp up to 50 speakers) |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 673 g | 2 lbs / 925 g |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 6.3" x 2.7" x 3" (160 x 68 x 76 mm) | 3.4" x 8.9" x 3.4" (87 x 225 x 87 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2" full-range cone drivers + 2x 2" passive radiators | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| TWS | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (3 presets via app) | - |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Aux Input | No | - |
| Output Power | 20W | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Max Volume | - | 98dB |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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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 |
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- 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
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Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3: $163 Amazon
Pros: IP67 rated, floats, and survives drops from up to 1 meter. 20 hour battery life - about double most speakers this size.
Cons: Not stereo, barely any bass. You can tell from the micro USB that they are just feeding you the same crap hardware over and over, this is inexcusable for a product released in 2018. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear.
Full Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 70Hz |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.4" x 8.9" x 3.4" (87 x 225 x 87 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 98dB |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyUp up to 50 speakers) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| Weight | 2 lbs / 925 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2
- Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 vs Tribit Stormbox 2
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