Short answer: the Marshall Middleton II. It ranks #31 of 102 large speakers by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $330; the Turtlebox Cub ranks #77, rated 3.0/5, at $330. Close enough in price that the sound-quality gap is the deciding factor.
The Marshall Middleton II is the better-sounding, longer-running option. Very deep bass for the size/weight. It is rated for 30 hours of battery against 14 for the Turtlebox Cub. At 4 lbs (1.8 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the Turtlebox Cub at 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg). It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Turtlebox Cub. The tradeoff: Bass boosted which drowns out the midrange.
The case for the Turtlebox Cub: A compact, cube-shaped Turtlebox at 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) with a real two-way layout: a 4.5 inch woofer and a 1.3 inch titanium tweeter. Watch for: The evidence so far is listening impressions from two reviews, with no side by side tests against other brands.
Buy the Marshall Middleton II. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Turtlebox Cub at the same price, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Marshall Middleton II | Turtlebox Cub | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $330 | $330.00 |
| Ranked | #31 of 102 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #77 of 102 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 14+ hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| EQ | Yes (5 band) | - |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) | Yes (Party Mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Weight | 4 lbs (1.8 kg) | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | - |
| Dimensions | 9.1” x 3.9” x 4.3” (230 x 98 x 110 mm) | 8.6”H x 7.2”W x 5.7”D (218 x 183 x 146 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 75mm woofers, 2x 0.625” tweeters + 2x passive radiators | 1x 4.5” (114mm) woofer + 1x 1.3” (33mm) titanium tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 80W | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Marshall Middleton II compares with other leading options:
- Marshall Middleton II vs Vifa Helsinki
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Marshall Middleton II
- Tribit Stormbox Lava vs Marshall Middleton II
- Marshall Middleton II vs Brane X
- Marshall Middleton II vs Minirig 4 with subwoofer
Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Marshall Middleton II: $330 Amazon eBay
Older model: the Marshall Middleton (ranked lower, rated 4/5).
Pros: Very deep bass for the size/weight. Measured bass extension of 38Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass boosted which drowns out the midrange. Dip around 200Hz, peak at 1kHz, dipped at 1.6kHz. Strange frequency response through the mids.
Full Marshall Middleton II review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 80W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.1” x 3.9” x 4.3” (230 x 98 x 110 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 75mm woofers, 2x 0.625” tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (5 band) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4 lbs (1.8 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Oluv Patreon: Marshall Middleton II - better with EQ? More from Oluv’Sone →
- Oluv Patreon: Marshall Middleton II - first impressions
- Dominik Reviews: Marshall Middleton II vs Middleton I - Huge Differences? - Sound Test More from Dominik Reviews →
- Mateusz Cholewa: Marshall Kilburn 3 vs Marshall Middleton 2 Opinion in Subtitles More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Marshall Middleton II vs Sonos Move
- Marshall Middleton II vs Mee audio PartySPKR
- Marshall Middleton II vs LG Xboom Bounce
- Marshall Middleton II vs Sonos Move 2
- Marshall Middleton II vs Marshall Middleton
- Marshall Middleton II vs Ultimate Ears Everboom
- Marshall Middleton II vs Soundcore Motion X500
- Marshall Middleton II vs onn Portable FM Boombox
- See all 74 comparisons
Turtlebox Cub: $330.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: A compact, cube-shaped Turtlebox at 2.4 kg with a real two-way layout: a 4.5 inch woofer and a 1.3 inch titanium tweeter. Reviewers found it very loud for its size, with warm, bass-forward tuning and a bit more bass than the Turtlebox Ranger. IP67 waterproof and dustproof, crush and drop resistant, stainless steel tie-downs, a claimed 14+ hours from a 49.95Wh battery, USB-C charging with a power bank output, stereo pairing and Party Mode.
Cons: The evidence so far is listening impressions from two reviews, with no side by side tests against other brands. One reviewer found it loses bass at high volume, and it is not as loud as the full-size Turtlebox. Turtlebox’s claimed 118dB is a figure the brand’s larger speakers have not come close to at a standard one meter distance. It is also mono from one unit, and its recessed USB-C port only fits slim cable plugs.
Full Turtlebox Cub review and specifications →
| Battery Life | 14+ hours (Manufacturer specified) |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Dimensions | 8.6”H x 7.2”W x 5.7”D (218 x 183 x 146 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 4.5” (114mm) woofer + 1x 1.3” (33mm) titanium tweeter |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons