These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The Marshall Middleton ranks #33 of 120 large speakers by sound quality at $257.52; the Marshall Emberton III ranks #126 of 179 medium speakers by sound quality at $179.99.
The Marshall Middleton is the deeper-bass choice. A waterproof stereo speaker with very deep bass for its size, a long battery, a power bank and a detachable strap. Its bass reaches about 39Hz before falling 10dB, against 62Hz for the Marshall Emberton III. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Marshall Emberton III lacks. Watch for: 5db dip at 1.7kHz and 6.3kHz.
The Marshall Emberton III is the longer-running, lighter pick. A tough waterproof speaker with Marshall styling and a very long battery, plus quick charging. It is rated for 32 hours of battery against 20 for the Marshall Middleton. At 1.5 lbs (673 g) it weighs much less than the Marshall Middleton at 4 lbs (1.8 kg). It has an adjustable EQ, which the Marshall Middleton lacks. The catch: Strange unnatural echo-like sound coloration, bass not as deep as competitors.
Buy the Marshall Middleton at $257.52 for a large speaker, or the Marshall Emberton III at $179.99 for a medium speaker instead.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Marshall Middleton | Marshall Emberton III | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $257.52 | $179.99 |
| Ranked | #33 of 120 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #126 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz | 62Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 32 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Weight | 4 lbs (1.8 kg) | 1.5 lbs (673 g) |
| App | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes (3 presets via app) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 9.1” x 3.7” x 4.3” (230 x 95 x 109 mm) | 6.3” x 2.7” x 3” (160 x 68 x 76 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 75mm woofers, 2x 0.625” tweeters + 2x passive radiators | 2x 2” full-range cone drivers + 2x 2” passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | 20W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | No |
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