Short answer: the Sonos Move for better sound quality, the Marshall Middleton for the lower price. The Sonos Move ranks #27 of 77 large speakers at $299.95. The Marshall Middleton ranks #31 at $224.90, $75.05 cheaper.
What the Sonos Move gets right: Warm sounding with somewhat rolled off treble. The catch: Not stereo.
On the Marshall Middleton side: Very deep bass for the size/weight. Set against that: 5db dip at 1.7khz and 6.3khz.
Buy the Sonos Move if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Marshall Middleton if the price matters more than sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the Marshall Middleton is rated for 20 hours versus 11 hours for the Sonos Move.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sonos Move | Marshall Middleton | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.95 Discontinued | $224.90 |
| Ranked | #27 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #31 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49Hz | 39Hz |
| Battery Life | 11 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP56 | IPX7 |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C (requires USB-C PD 12v minimum) | USB-C |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs / 3 kg | 4 lbs / 1.8 kg |
| Wifi | Yes | - |
| App | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | No |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 9.4" x 6.3" x 5" (240 x 160 x 126 mm) | 9.1" x 3.7" x 4.3" (230 x 95 x 109 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 3.5" (89mm) mid-woofer + 1x downward-firing tweeter (tweeter size undisclosed by Sonos) | 2x 75mm woofers, 2x 0.625" tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| Output Power | Specs not published by manufacturer | 50W |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Max Volume | 92dB | 99dB |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Sonos Move: $299.95 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Warm sounding with somewhat rolled off treble.
Cons: Not stereo. Not as deep bass as others in the category, less bass extension than an Xtreme 2. Pumping and compression artifacts at higher volume. Not very loud. Discontinued.
Full Sonos Move review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49Hz |
| Battery Life | 11 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.4" x 6.3" x 5" (240 x 160 x 126 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x 3.5" (89mm) mid-woofer + 1x downward-firing tweeter (tweeter size undisclosed by Sonos) |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP56 |
| Max Volume | 92dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | Specs not published by manufacturer |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C (requires USB-C PD 12v minimum) |
| 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
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Ezekielo: JBL Xtreme 2 vs Sonos Move with Sound Comparison
- NeverEnoughTech: soundcore Motion X600 vs. Sonos Move vs. Bose Soundlink Revolve II
- Smart Home Sounds: Best Premium Bluetooth Speakers: Sonos Move, JBL Xtreme 3, Marshall Middleton & More…
- Smart Home Sounds: Sonos Move 1 Vs Move 2: What’s The Difference?
- Reddit Search for Sonos Move Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: 3 minutes ago….. Marshall Middleton Review, true stereophonic, no honestly 😊
- Mateusz Cholewa: BOGASING S8 Pro MAX HiFi ?🆚 MARSHALL🎸MIDDELTON
- Mateusz Cholewa: Marshall Middleton👌🎶 🆚 JBL Xtreme 4 🎶📢
- 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…
- Storytripper HD: Marshall Middleton vs Klipsch Detroit
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Bass Check 💣 Treblab HD-360, Ultimate Ears EpicBoom, Marshall Middleton & JBL Pulse 5. Boom or Bust?
- Reddit Search for Marshall Middleton Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Marshall Middleton vs Ultimate Ears Everboom
- Marshall Middleton vs LG Xboom Bounce
- Marshall Middleton vs Marshall Middleton II
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- Marshall Middleton vs JBL Xtreme 4
- Marshall Middleton vs Sonos Move 2
- Marshall Middleton vs Soundcore Motion X500
- Marshall Middleton vs Devialet Mania
- See all 21 comparisons