Short answer: the Marshall Willen for better sound quality, the JBL Go 4 for the lower price. The Marshall Willen ranks #14 of 47 small speakers at $120. The JBL Go 4 ranks #25 at $39.95, $80.05 cheaper.
On the Marshall Willen side: Exceptionally clear vocals for a mono speaker. Set against that: Not that deep of bass.
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 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 is rated for 15 hours versus 7 hours for the JBL Go 4.
Specifications Side By Side
| Marshall Willen | JBL Go 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $120 Discontinued | $39.95 |
| Ranked | #14 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #25 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 75Hz | ~82Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 7 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs / 309 g | 0.4 lbs / 190 g |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Drivers | 2" (51mm) full-range with dual passive radiators | 45mm |
| Dimensions | 4" x 1.5" x 4" (101 x 39 x 101 mm) | 3.7" x 3" x 1.7" (94.3 x 75.7 x 42.2 mm) |
| Output Power | 10W | 4.2W |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Max Volume | 88dB | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 90Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Charging Time | - | 3 hours |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Marshall Willen: $120 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Exceptionally clear vocals for a mono speaker. Solid, durable build with IP67 water/dust resistance. Extremely compact - fits in a back pocket.
Cons: Not that deep of bass. A bit of a sharp treble. Discontinued.
Full Marshall Willen review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 75Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4" x 1.5" x 4" (101 x 39 x 101 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2" (51mm) full-range with dual passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 88dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 10W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs / 309 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Danny Pops: Does it surpass the first Willen? My Marshall Willen II Review
- Danny Pops: I WAS BLOWN AWAY - Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 VS Marshall Willen
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- Storytripper HD: Marshall Willen vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 2
- Alkar Audio: Speaker Bluetooth Marshall Willen Review VS Tribit Stormbox Micro 2
- MyTechAudio: MARSHALL WILLEN Detail Review Indonesia Vs TRIBIT Micro 1 & Micro 2
- Storytripper HD: Marshall Willen vs Tribit StormBox Micro 2 vs Klipsch Austin
- Reddit Search for Marshall Willen Review
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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 | No |
| 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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