Short answer: the Soundcore Motion X600. It ranks #19 of 77 large speakers by sound quality at $150; the Marshall Kilburn II ranks #36 and costs $279, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Marshall Kilburn II: 20W Class D amp + dual 8W tweeters. The catch: Boosted upper bass, not very detailed, not as deep bass as competitors, upper mids peak.
On the Soundcore Motion X600 side: Firmware 4.2.9 is a big improvement in sound quality over previous releases. Watch for: Stock frequency response is wavy.
Buy the Soundcore Motion X600. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Marshall Kilburn II and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the Marshall Kilburn II is rated for 20 hours versus 12 hours for the Soundcore Motion X600.
If water resistance matters to you, the Soundcore Motion X600 at IPX7 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Marshall Kilburn II at IPX2 (light drips).
Specifications Side By Side
| Marshall Kilburn II | Soundcore Motion X600 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $279.00 | $150 |
| Ranked | #36 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #19 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz | 52Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX2 | IPX7 |
| Weight | 5.5 lbs / 2.49 kg | 5.2 lbs / 2.35 kg |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | No |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Output Power | 36W | 50W |
| Dimensions | 9.6" x 6.4" x 5.5" (243 x 162 x 140 mm) | 11.8" x 4.8" x 3.2" (300 x 121 x 81 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 4" (102mm) woofer + 2x 20mm dome tweeters | 2x 60mm woofers, 2x 27mm tweeters, 1x 50mm upward-firing driver |
| Max Volume | 102dB | 104dB |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Latency | - | 0ms |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 83ms |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 |
| Frequency Response | - | 50Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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- Bose SoundLink Max vs Soundcore Rave Neo 2
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- Marshall Kilburn II vs Sony SRS-XB43
- Marshall Kilburn II vs Ultimate Ears Everboom
The Two Speakers In Full
Marshall Kilburn II: $279.00 Amazon
Pros: 20W Class D amp + dual 8W tweeters. 20+ hour battery with quick-charge (20 min charges 3 hours of play). Rugged design with leather handle and reinforced corners, IPX2 rated. Thrives with rock music. Bluetooth 5.0 with 30ft range.
Cons: Boosted upper bass, not very detailed, not as deep bass as competitors, upper mids peak. Very low IPX2 water rating. AC charging
Full Marshall Kilburn II review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.6" x 6.4" x 5.5" (243 x 162 x 140 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 4" (102mm) woofer + 2x 20mm dome tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX2 |
| Max Volume | 102dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 36W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 5.5 lbs / 2.49 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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Soundcore Motion X600: $150 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: Firmware 4.2.9 is a big improvement in sound quality over previous releases. Try this Oluv EQ for the best sound quality
Cons: Stock frequency response is wavy. Use spatial mode for best sound quality. Need a different EQ for each volume step. Dip in the upper bass around 120hz. Rising frequency response, treble a little hot. Would be ranked around #20 without the Oluv EQ. Even with the Oluv EQ the bass isn’t very deep and the sound is still a little unnatural.
Full Soundcore Motion X600 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 52Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 83ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.8" x 4.8" x 3.2" (300 x 121 x 81 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 60mm woofers, 2x 27mm tweeters, 1x 50mm upward-firing driver |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 104dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 50W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 5.2 lbs / 2.35 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Motion X600 now tuned by Alan Ross (sort of) Not clickbait! More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: breaking news…..Soundcore Motion X600 with LDAC and spatial audio!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Spatial Audio: Soundcore Motion X600 Vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Motion x600 (best speaker ever) or two motion booms?
- Alan Ross Reviews: Craziest firmware update ever - Soundcore Motion X600 3.2.8/4.2.8 🤦♀️
- Oluv Patreon: SoundCore Motion X600 vs VIFA Helsinki More from Oluv’Sone →
- NeverEnoughTech: soundcore Motion X600 vs. Sonos Move vs. Bose Soundlink Revolve II
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: TREBLAB HD-360 (360° Sound) vs Soundcore Motion X600 (Spatial Sound)😮💨 Cornered in Basement Kitchen More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Reddit Search for Soundcore Motion X600 Review
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