Short answer: the Marshall Middleton. It ranks #34 of 97 large speakers by sound quality (rated 4.0/5) at $211.83 and is still sold new; the Soundcore Trance ranks #92 (rated 2.1/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The Marshall Middleton is the better-sounding, deeper-bass choice. Very deep bass for the size/weight. Its bass reaches about 39Hz before falling 10dB, against 63Hz for the Soundcore Trance. At 4 lbs (1.8 kg) it weighs much less than the Soundcore Trance at 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg). The catch: 5db dip at 1.7kHz and 6.3kHz.
The case for the Soundcore Trance: 80W power with up to 105dB output and BassUp technology. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Marshall Middleton lacks. The tradeoff: Hugely recessed midrange and treble.
Buy the Marshall Middleton. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Soundcore Trance is no longer sold new.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Marshall Middleton | Soundcore Trance | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $211.83 | 49 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #34 of 97 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #92 of 97 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 97dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) | Yes |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes |
| Weight | 4 lbs (1.8 kg) | 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) |
| App | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Power Input | USB-C | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 9.1” x 3.7” x 4.3” (230 x 95 x 109 mm) | 7” x 7” x 13.3” (179 x 177 x 339 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 75mm woofers, 2x 0.625” tweeters + 2x passive radiators | 1x 133mm woofer, 1x 51mm tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | 80W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | No |
| Lights | - | Yes |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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 Middleton: $211.83 Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Marshall Middleton II, ranked higher, rated 4.1/5.
Pros: Very deep bass for the size/weight. Measured bass extension of 39Hz (-10dB).
Cons: 5db dip at 1.7kHz and 6.3kHz. 9kHz treble peak. Not a very smooth frequency response. A lot of Marshall’s added dsp echo which cannot be turned off, very distracting and annoying. It’s like forcing you to listen to your music in an echo chamber. Bass is reasonably deep but artificial sounding and flabby, with no attack and no dynamics. Treble is rolled off.
Full Marshall Middleton review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 50W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.1” x 3.7” x 4.3” (230 x 95 x 109 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 75mm woofers, 2x 0.625” tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| 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
- Alan Ross Reviews: 3 minutes ago….. Marshall Middleton Review, true stereophonic, no honestly 😊 More from alanrossreviews →
- Mateusz Cholewa: BOGASING S8 Pro MAX HiFi ?🆚 MARSHALL🎸MIDDELTON More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- Mateusz Cholewa: Marshall Middleton👌🎶 🆚 JBL Xtreme 4 🎶📢
- Oluv Patreon: Marshall Middleton - first impressions More from Oluv’Sone →
- Danny Pops: Is it Any Good? - Marshall Middleton Review More from DannyPops →
- Smart Home Sounds: Best Premium Bluetooth Speakers: Sonos Move, JBL Xtreme 3, Marshall Middleton & More… More from Smart Home Sounds →
- Storytripper HD: Marshall Middleton vs Klipsch Detroit More from storytripperhd →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Bass Check 💣 Treblab HD-360, Ultimate Ears EpicBoom, Marshall Middleton & JBL Pulse 5. Boom or Bust? More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
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Soundcore Trance: 49 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Soundcore Rave Party 2, rated 3.1/5 (also discontinued).
Pros: 80W power with up to 105dB output and BassUp technology. 18 hours claimed battery life. IPX7 waterproof rating with custom beat-driven LED lighting. Built-in USB power bank to charge mobile devices. Soundcore app provides customizable EQ and Party Mode linking. Measured bass extension of 63Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Hugely recessed midrange and treble. Discontinued retail variant; superseded by Soundcore Rave Neo 2 and Rave Party 2.
Full Soundcore Trance review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 80W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7” x 7” x 13.3” (179 x 177 x 339 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 133mm woofer, 1x 51mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 97dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons