Short answer: the Sony SRS-XB20 on price, the Marshall Emberton III on runtime, though neither ranks well in its class. The Emberton III runs 30 hours with a 20 min quick-charge worth 4 hours, but has that strange unnatural echo-like coloration and bass not as deep as competitors. The Sony costs $0.99 less and its IPX5 pill shape slides easily into a bag, though it sounds thin at higher volumes. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 151 medium speakers, so if sound quality matters, consider the Earfun Uboom L instead, ranked #1 at $49.79.
Buy the Marshall Emberton III if you want one new; the Sony SRS-XB20 is discontinued, so only look for it used.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the Marshall Emberton III is rated for 32 hours, the Sony SRS-XB20 only 12 hours.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony SRS-XB20 | Marshall Emberton III | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129 Discontinued | $129.99 |
| Ranked | #106 of 151 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #111 of 151 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 32 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Partychain up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (590 g) | 1.5 lbs (673 g) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC |
| Dimensions | 7.8” x 2.7” x 2.7” (198 x 68 x 69 mm) | 6.3” x 2.7” x 3” (160 x 68 x 76 mm) |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| App | Yes (SongPal) | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes (3 presets via app) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 20W | 20W |
| Drivers | 2x 42mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators | 2x 2” full-range cone drivers + 2x 2” passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 62Hz |
| Strap | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Sony SRS-XB20 compares with other leading options:
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs Sony SRS-XB20
- Soundcore Motion+ vs Sony SRS-XB20
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Sony SRS-XB20
- JBL Charge 6 vs Sony SRS-XB20
- JBL Flip 6 vs Sony SRS-XB20
Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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
Sony SRS-XB20: $129 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Sony ULT Field 1, ranked higher, rated 3.1/5.
Pros: Sony SRS-XB20 uses 2x 42mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators. Its 590 g, claimed 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IPX5 protection, aux input and stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use.
Cons: No EQ adjustment. Sounds thin at higher volumes. Discontinued.
Full Sony SRS-XB20 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 20W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (SongPal) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.8” x 2.7” x 2.7” (198 x 68 x 69 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 42mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Partychain up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (590 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Yamaha True X Speaker 1A
- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Tribit Stormbox
- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Sony SRS-XE300
- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Bose SoundLink Color II
- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Klipsch Groove/Heritage Groove
- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Ultimate Ears Boom 3
- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Ultimate Ears Boom 4
- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Marshall Emberton II
- See all 73 comparisons
Marshall Emberton III: $129.99 Amazon eBay
Older model: the Marshall Emberton II (ranked lower, rated 2.7/5).
Pros: 30 hour battery life: among the best in its class; a 20 min quick-charge gives 4 hours. IP67 rated, durable rubbery build using 50% recycled plastic. Measured bass extension of 62Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Strange unnatural echo-like sound coloration, bass not as deep as competitors. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear. Not very loud. Not really any different from the Emberton II except having the treble turned down a little bit.
Full Marshall Emberton III review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 20W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz |
| Battery Life | 32 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.3” x 2.7” x 3” (160 x 68 x 76 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2” full-range cone drivers + 2x 2” passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (3 presets via app) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (673 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Marshall Emberton III vs Bose SoundLink Color II
- Marshall Emberton III vs Marshall Emberton II
- Marshall Emberton III vs Yamaha True X Speaker 1A
- Marshall Emberton III vs Teufel Rockster Go
- Marshall Emberton III vs Sony SRS-XB30
- Marshall Emberton III vs Tribit Stormbox
- Marshall Emberton III vs Soundcore Flare 2
- Marshall Emberton III vs Sony SRS-XE300
- See all 134 comparisons