Short answer: the Sonos Move 2 for better sound quality, the Marshall Middleton for the lower price. The Sonos Move 2 ranks #25 of 77 large speakers at $399. The Marshall Middleton ranks #31 at $224.90, $174.10 cheaper.
What the Sonos Move 2 gets right: Warm sounding with somewhat rolled off treble. The catch: Not very loud.
The case for the Marshall Middleton: Very deep bass for the size/weight. The tradeoff: 5db dip at 1.7khz and 6.3khz.
Buy the Sonos Move 2 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Marshall Middleton if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sonos Move 2 | Marshall Middleton | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $224.90 |
| Ranked | #25 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #31 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP56 | IPX7 |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs / 3 kg | 4 lbs / 1.8 kg |
| Wifi | Yes | - |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | No |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 9.5" x 6.3" x 5" (242 x 160 x 126 mm) | 9.1" x 3.7" x 4.3" (230 x 95 x 109 mm) |
| Drivers | mid-woofer, 2x angled tweeters | 2x 75mm woofers, 2x 0.625" tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| Output Power | Specs not published by manufacturer | 50W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 39Hz |
| Max Volume | - | 99dB |
| Frequency Response | - | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Sonos Move 2: $399.00 Amazon
Pros: Warm sounding with somewhat rolled off treble. Slightly better midrange clarity than the Move 1.
Cons: Not very loud. This may have some of the same issues at full volume that the Move 1 had too, but I’ll need more sound samples at full volume to verify.
Full Sonos Move 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.5" x 6.3" x 5" (242 x 160 x 126 mm) |
| Drivers | mid-woofer, 2x angled tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP56 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | Specs not published by manufacturer |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs / 3 kg |
| Wifi | Yes |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
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Marshall Middleton: $224.90 Amazon
Pros: Very deep bass for the size/weight.
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 →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 50W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4 lbs / 1.8 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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- Oluv Patreon: Marshall Middleton - first impressions
- Danny Pops: Is it Any Good? - Marshall Middleton Review
- Smart Home Sounds: Best Premium Bluetooth Speakers: Sonos Move, JBL Xtreme 3, Marshall Middleton & More…
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