Short answer: the Sony SRS-XE300. It ranks #92 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $137; the Marshall Emberton II ranks #100 and costs $160.23, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Sony SRS-XE300 offers: IP67 rated. Orientation-aware playback switches to stereo when laid flat. Party Connect links up to 100 speakers; fast charging (10 min charge = ~70 min playback). Watch for: Muffled sounding, not very deep bass. Hollow sounding. Worse than a XB43
What the Marshall Emberton II offers: 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. Watch for: Strange unnatural echo-like sound coloration, bass not as deep as competitors. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear. Not very loud.
Buy the Sony SRS-XE300. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Marshall Emberton II and costs less, so the other one has nothing left to offer.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony SRS-XE300 | Marshall Emberton II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $137 | $160.23 |
| Ranked | #92 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #100 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Weight | 2.9 lbs / 1.3 kg | 1.5 lbs / 700 g |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.1 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC |
| Dimensions | 9.4" x 4.1" x 4.7" (238 x 105 x 119 mm) | 6.3" x 2.7" x 3" (160 x 68 x 76 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 49x71mm X-Balanced speaker units + 2x passive radiators | 2x 2" full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center) | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (via app) | Yes (3 presets via app) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Output Power | 16W | 20W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 62Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 80ms |
| Max Volume | - | 88dB |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Sony SRS-XE300
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Prices on this page were last checked August 27, 2026 at 10:09 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-XE300: $137 Amazon eBay
Pros: IP67 rated. Orientation-aware playback switches to stereo when laid flat. Party Connect links up to 100 speakers; fast charging (10 min charge = ~70 min playback).
Cons: Muffled sounding, not very deep bass. Hollow sounding. Worse than a XB43
Full Sony SRS-XE300 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.4" x 4.1" x 4.7" (238 x 105 x 119 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 49x71mm X-Balanced speaker units + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (via app) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 16W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.9 lbs / 1.3 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- New Stuff TV: Sony SRS-XE300 vs JBL Charge 5
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- GYMCADDY: Sony XE300 Review And Compared to Sony XB33 - A Muffled Mess More from GYMCADDY →
- GYMCADDY: JBL Charge 5 Vs Sony XE300 - How Can You Mess Up This Bad?
- Reddit Search for Sony SRS-XE300 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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Marshall Emberton II: $160.23 Amazon eBay
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.
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.
Full Marshall Emberton II review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 80ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.3" x 2.7" x 3" (160 x 68 x 76 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2" full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (3 presets via app) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 88dB |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Output Power | 20W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 700 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Marshall Emberton vs Marshall Stockwell 2 - little guy goes louder?? 🤓 More from alanrossreviews →
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- Reddit Search for Marshall Emberton II Review
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