Short answer: the Marshall Willen II for better sound quality, the JBL Go 4 for the lower price. The Marshall Willen II ranks #11 of 47 small speakers at $89.99. The JBL Go 4 ranks #25 at $39.95, $50.04 cheaper.
On the Marshall Willen II side: More balanced than the first Willen, no sharp treble. Watch for: Not that deep of bass. Fairly low max output vs pricier speakers; midrange can sound a bit congested at volume.
What the JBL Go 4 gets right: A little more bass than the Go 3 and they fixed the strange mids peak. The catch: Not much bass at all, especially with electronic/bass-heavy tracks pushed past ~50% volume.
Buy the Marshall Willen II if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Go 4 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the Marshall Willen II is rated for 17 hours versus 7 hours for the JBL Go 4.
Specifications Side By Side
| Marshall Willen II | JBL Go 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $89.99 | $39.95 |
| Ranked | #11 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #25 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 70Hz | ~82Hz |
| Battery Life | 17 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 7 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs / 360 g | 0.4 lbs / 190 g |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 90Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Charging Time | 2.5 hours | 3 hours |
| Drivers | 2" (51mm) full-range with dual passive radiators | 45mm |
| Dimensions | 3.9" x 1.7" x 3.9" (99 x 43 x 99 mm) | 3.7" x 3" x 1.7" (94.3 x 75.7 x 42.2 mm) |
| Output Power | 10W | 4.2W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Marshall Willen II: $89.99 Amazon
Pros: More balanced than the first Willen, no sharp treble
Cons: Not that deep of bass. Fairly low max output vs pricier speakers; midrange can sound a bit congested at volume. No aux input.
Full Marshall Willen II review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 70Hz |
| Battery Life | 17 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 2.5 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.9" x 1.7" x 3.9" (99 x 43 x 99 mm) |
| Drivers | 2" (51mm) full-range with dual passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 10W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs / 360 g |
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JBL Go 4: $39.95 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: A little more bass than the Go 3 and they fixed the strange mids peak.
Cons: Not much bass at all, especially with electronic/bass-heavy tracks pushed past ~50% volume. Midrange can sound grainy and treble a bit sizzly; loses clarity at higher volumes.
Full JBL Go 4 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~82Hz |
| Battery Life | 7 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.7" x 3" x 1.7" (94.3 x 75.7 x 42.2 mm) |
| Drivers | 45mm |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 90Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 4.2W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs / 190 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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