Short answer: the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2. It ranks #86 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $80; the Marshall Emberton III ranks #99 and costs $129.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
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. The catch: Strange unnatural echo-like sound coloration, bass not as deep as competitors.
On the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 side: IP67 rated and floats. Watch for: Not stereo, barely any bass, recessed treble.
Buy the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Marshall Emberton III and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the Marshall Emberton III is rated for 32 hours versus 12 hours for the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2.
Specifications Side By Side
| Marshall Emberton III | Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129.99 | $80 |
| Ranked | #99 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #86 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz | 82Hz |
| Battery Life | 32 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 673 g | 0.9 lbs / 420 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) | 4.1" x 3.8" (104 x 95.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2" full-range cone drivers + 2x 2" passive radiators | 2x 40mm active drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (3 presets via app) | No |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| 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 | - | 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
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- Marshall Emberton III vs Sony SRS-XB20
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- Marshall Emberton III vs Tribit Stormbox
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Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2: $80 Amazon
Pros: IP67 rated and floats. Compact and light enough to toss in a bag.
Cons: Not stereo, barely any bass, recessed treble. Slightly boosted 93hz upper bass Dip at 9khz. 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 2019. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear.
Full Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 82Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.1" x 3.8" (104 x 95.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm active drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 88dB |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs / 420 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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