Short answer: the Sony XB23. It ranks #64 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $100; the Marshall Emberton II ranks #100 and costs $160.23, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
What the Sony XB23 offers: Reasonably neutral. IP67 rated with a strap hook for backpacks. USB-C charging; up to 12 hour battery life. Watch for: Bass drops off a ton at high levels. Reduces its own volume over time when turned to max
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 XB23. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Marshall Emberton II and costs less, which settles it without a real tradeoff to make.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the Marshall Emberton II is rated for 30 hours, the Sony XB23 only 12 hours.
Water resistance is not close: the Marshall Emberton II is rated at IP67 (brief submersion), well ahead of the Sony XB23 at IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony XB23 | Marshall Emberton II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $100 | $160.23 |
| Ranked | #64 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #100 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 67Hz | 62Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Max Volume | 95dB | 88dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 580 g | 1.5 lbs / 700 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 3" x 8.6" x 3" (76 x 218 x 76 mm) | 6.3" x 2.7" x 3" (160 x 68 x 76 mm) |
| Output Power | 8W RMS | 20W |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| EQ | Yes (3-band: bass, mid, treble) | Yes (3 presets via app) |
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center) | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 42x51mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators | 2x 2" full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IP67 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 80ms |
| TWS | - | No |
| Stereo | - | Yes |
| Power Input | - | USB-C |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Aux Input | - | No |
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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 XB23: $100 eBay
Pros: Reasonably neutral. IP67 rated with a strap hook for backpacks. USB-C charging; up to 12 hour battery life.
Cons: Bass drops off a ton at high levels. Reduces its own volume over time when turned to max
Full Sony XB23 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 67Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3" x 8.6" x 3" (76 x 218 x 76 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 42x51mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (3-band: bass, mid, treble) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Max Volume | 95dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 8W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 580 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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
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