Short answer: the Marshall Willen. It ranks #14 of 49 small speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $120. The Sony SRS-XB12 ranks #41, rated 2.5/5, at $79, $41 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
What the Marshall Willen does well: Exceptionally clear vocals for a mono speaker. Watch for: Not that deep of bass.
What the Sony SRS-XB12 does well: Sony SRS-XB12 uses 46mm. The tradeoff: Bass is limited by its 97Hz specification.
One note: the Marshall Willen is discontinued, but it still ranks #14 of 49 small speakers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the Marshall Willen. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $41 with the Sony SRS-XB12 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Marshall Willen | Sony SRS-XB12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $120 Discontinued | $79 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #14 of 49 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #41 of 49 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 75Hz | 97Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | No | No |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (309 g) | 0.5 lbs (243 g) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 4.2 |
| Drivers | 2” (51mm) full-range with dual passive radiators | 46mm |
| Dimensions | 4” x 1.5” x 4” (101 x 39 x 101 mm) | 2.9” x 3.6”H (74 x 92 mm) (diameter) |
| Amplifier Power | 10W | 7W |
| Maximum SPL | 88dB (Manufacturer specified) | 93dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) | Yes (detachable strap) |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 240ms |
| Charging Time | - | 4.5 hours |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 29, 2026 at 3:43 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 Willen: $120 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Marshall Willen II, ranked higher, rated 4/5.
Pros: Exceptionally clear vocals for a mono speaker. Solid, durable build with IP67 water/dust resistance. Extremely compact: fits in a back pocket. Measured bass extension of 75Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not that deep of bass. A bit of a sharp treble. Discontinued.
Full Marshall Willen review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 10W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 75Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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) |
| Drivers | 2” (51mm) full-range with dual passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 88dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (309 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Danny Pops: Does it surpass the first Willen? My Marshall Willen II Review More from DannyPops →
- Danny Pops: I WAS BLOWN AWAY - Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 VS Marshall Willen
- Danny Pops: Marshall Willen VS Bose, Sony, and Tribit Micro Speakers
- Storytripper HD: Marshall Willen vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 More from storytripperhd →
- 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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Marshall Willen vs Klipsch Austin
- Marshall Willen vs Anker Soundcore Mini
- Marshall Willen vs B&O Beoplay P2
- Marshall Willen vs Ultimate Ears Miniroll
- Marshall Willen vs Mifa Tango
- Marshall Willen vs Marshall Willen II
- Marshall Willen vs Bose Soundlink Micro 2
- Marshall Willen vs Bose Soundlink Micro
- See all 29 comparisons
Sony SRS-XB12: $79 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Sony SRS-XB100, ranked higher, rated 2.9/5.
Pros: Sony SRS-XB12 uses 46mm. Its 243 g, claimed 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IP67 protection, up to 93dB and mono playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. A detachable strap hangs it from a bag or belt. Measured bass extension of 97Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 97Hz specification. There is no companion app. No EQ adjustment. Muddy, with little bass and peaky treble. Discontinued.
Full Sony SRS-XB12 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 7W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 97Hz |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 240ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 4.5 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 2.9” x 3.6”H (74 x 92 mm) (diameter) |
| Drivers | 46mm |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 93dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (243 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB13 vs XB12 - review and full sound test - best small speaker? 🙄 More from alanrossreviews →
- DLX Willington: Jbl Go 3 vs Sony XB12 Sound Battle With Sound Sample More from DLXWillington →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB12 vs Soundcore Mini 3 - size matters! bluetooth speakers test!
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Sony SRS-XB12 vs JBL Clip
- Sony SRS-XB12 vs Lenovo 700 Ultraportable Bluetooth Speaker
- Sony SRS-XB12 vs Sony SRS-XB13
- Sony SRS-XB12 vs Sony SRS-XB100
- See all 28 comparisons