Short answer: the Marshall Middleton. It ranks #34 of 115 large speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $279.99. The Marshall Stockwell III ranks #79, rated 3.0/5, at $249.99, $30 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The Marshall Middleton is the better-sounding, tougher option. A waterproof stereo speaker with very deep bass for its size, a long battery, a power bank and a detachable strap. It is rated IPX7 against IP55 for the Marshall Stockwell III. The tradeoff: 5db dip at 1.7kHz and 6.3kHz.
The Marshall Stockwell III is the longer-running, lighter pick. A stylish, rugged speaker with a very long battery you can swap yourself, a detailed app EQ, and power bank charging. It is rated for 40 hours of battery against 20 for the Marshall Middleton. At 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the Marshall Middleton at 4 lbs (1.8 kg). It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the Marshall Middleton lacks. Watch for: Highs are recessed by default and need the treble control maxed to compensate, still lacking detail even then.
Buy the Marshall Middleton. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $30 saving on the Marshall Stockwell III is not enough to make up the difference.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A waterproof stereo speaker with very deep bass for its size, a long battery, a power bank and a detachable strap.
A stylish, rugged speaker with a very long battery you can swap yourself, a detailed app EQ, and power bank charging.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Marshall Middleton | Marshall Stockwell III | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $279.99 | $249.99 |
| Ranked | #34 of 115 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #79 of 115 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 40+ hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes |
| Weight | 4 lbs (1.8 kg) | 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg) |
| App | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LE Audio with LC3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| EQ | No | Yes (parametric, via app) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP55 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Partially |
| 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) | 7.1” x 6.4” x 2.9” (180 x 162 x 74 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 75mm woofers, 2x 0.625” tweeters + 2x passive radiators | 1x 3” woofer, 2x 1.75” wide-band drivers |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 54Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | 44W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | Yes (detachable strap) |
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