Short answer: the Marshall Kilburn II. It ranks #43 of 105 large speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $279. The Ultimate Ears Epicboom ranks #83, rated 2.9/5, at $228.59, $50.41 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The Marshall Kilburn II is the better-sounding pick. 20W Class D amp + dual 8W tweeters. The tradeoff: Boosted upper bass, not very detailed, not as deep bass as competitors, upper mids peak.
The Ultimate Ears Epicboom is the lighter, tougher choice. 17 hour battery with USB-C charging (first UE portable with USB-C). At 4.3 lbs (1.97 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the Marshall Kilburn II at 5.5 lbs (2.49 kg). It is rated IPX7 against IPX2 for the Marshall Kilburn II. The tradeoff: Not very deep bass for the size.
Buy the Marshall Kilburn II. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $50.41 saving on the Ultimate Ears Epicboom is not enough to make up the difference.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Marshall Kilburn II | Ultimate Ears Epicboom | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $279.00 | $228.59 |
| Ranked | #43 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #83 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz | ~55Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 17 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX2 | IPX7 |
| Weight | 5.5 lbs (2.49 kg) | 4.3 lbs (1.97 kg) |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | No |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | 36W | 10W RMS |
| Dimensions | 9.6” x 6.4” x 5.5” (243 x 162 x 140 mm) | 4.7” x 9.5” x 6.4” (119 x 241 x 162 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 4” (102mm) woofer + 2x 20mm dome tweeters | 1x 120mm woofer, 2x 45mm tweeters |
| Maximum SPL | 102dB (Manufacturer specified) | 94dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.2 |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) | Yes (built-in loop) |
| Frequency Response | - | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Marshall Kilburn II: $279.00 Amazon $279.00 eBay
Newer model: the Marshall Kilburn III, ranked higher, rated 3.8/5, released May 2025. It adds power bank charging, app control, adjustable EQ and party mode, but drops the built-in mic. Battery life goes from 20 to 50 hours. Water resistance goes from IPX2 to IP54. See every Marshall Portable Speakers generation.
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. Measured bass extension of ~58Hz (-10dB).
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 →
| Released | Aug 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 36W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| 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 |
| Maximum SPL | 102dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 5.5 lbs (2.49 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Mateusz Cholewa: Marshall Kilburn 3 vs Marshall Kilburn 2 More from Mateusz Cholewa →
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- Mateusz Cholewa: Marshall Kilburn 3 DEEP BASS👌💪💖🆚 Marshall Kilburn 2 Outside
- Storytripper HD: Marshall Acton 2 vs Marshall Kilburn 2 More from storytripperhd →
- PORTATIV: Laney F67 vs Marshall Kilburn 2 Ищем лучшую олдскульную колонку Обзор и ТЕСТ ЗВУКА
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Ultimate Ears Epicboom: $228.59 Amazon $228.59 eBay
Pros: 17 hour battery with USB-C charging (first UE portable with USB-C). IP67 rating, floats in water. Made mostly from recycled fabric and plastic. Large best-sounding UE portable that still feels portable. 180ft Bluetooth range. Measured bass extension of ~55Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not very deep bass for the size. Gets distorted at around 70-80% with bass thuds.
Full Ultimate Ears Epicboom review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 10W RMS |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz |
| Battery Life | 17 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.7” x 9.5” x 6.4” (119 x 241 x 162 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 120mm woofer, 2x 45mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 94dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4.3 lbs (1.97 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: $350 Ultimate Ears EpicBoom gets Epic Beat-Down 😮by $120 Soundcore Rave Neo 2. Bluetooth Speaker KO🤛 More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
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