Short answer: the Marshall Willen for better sound quality, the Sony SRS-XB12 for the lower price. The Marshall Willen ranks #14 of 47 small speakers at $120. The Sony SRS-XB12 ranks #39 at $79, $41 cheaper.
What the Marshall Willen offers: Exceptionally clear vocals for a mono speaker. Watch for: Not that deep of bass.
What the Sony SRS-XB12 offers: Aux in. 16 hour battery life. Watch for: Muddy, not much bass, peaky treble.
Buy the Marshall Willen if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Sony SRS-XB12 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Sony SRS-XB12. It ranks near the bottom of the 47 small speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Marshall Willen | Sony SRS-XB12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $120 Discontinued | $79 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #14 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #39 of 47 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 |
| TWS | No | No |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs / 309 g | 0.5 lbs / 243 g |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| 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) |
| Output Power | 10W | 7W |
| Discontinued | Yes | Yes |
| Max Volume | 88dB | 93dB |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 240ms |
| Charging Time | - | 4.5 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 |
| 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
- Danny Pops: Marshall Willen VS Bose, Sony, and Tribit Micro Speakers
- 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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Marshall Willen vs Klipsch Austin
- Marshall Willen vs Mifa Tango
- Marshall Willen vs JBL Clip 4
- Marshall Willen vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 2
- Marshall Willen vs Sony SRS-XB100
- Marshall Willen vs Sony SRS-XB13
- Marshall Willen vs Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2
- Marshall Willen vs Lenovo 700 Ultraportable Bluetooth Speaker
Sony SRS-XB12: $79 Discontinued
Pros: Aux in. 16 hour battery life. IP67 rated, palm-sized with a detachable strap for hanging on a bag or belt.
Cons: Muddy, not much bass, peaky treble. Discontinued.
Full Sony SRS-XB12 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 97Hz |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 46mm |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 93dB |
| Output Power | 7W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs / 243 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons