Short answer: the Soundcore Motion X500. It ranks #24 of 77 large speakers by sound quality at $99.99; the Marshall Middleton II ranks #28 and costs $330, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Soundcore Motion X500: 40W stereo with 3-driver layout (two tweeters + woofer). The tradeoff: A little bright on top, a custom EQ can flatten things out a bit.
On the Marshall Middleton II side: Very deep bass for the size/weight. Set against that: Bass boosted which drowns out the midrange.
Buy the Soundcore Motion X500. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Marshall Middleton II and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the Marshall Middleton II is rated for 30 hours versus 12 hours for the Soundcore Motion X500.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Motion X500 | Marshall Middleton II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 | $330 |
| Ranked | #24 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #28 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz | 38Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (5 band) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 104dB | - |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 4.6 lbs / 2.1 kg | 4 lbs / 1.8 kg |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 8.7" x 8" x 3.2" (220 x 202 x 81 mm) | 9.1" x 3.9" x 4.3" (230 x 98 x 110 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 58mm (2.3") forward-firing full-range drivers + 1x 43mm (1.7") upward-firing driver | 2x 75mm woofers, 2x 0.625" tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 40W | 80W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Sonos Move vs LG Xboom Bounce
- Soundcore Rave Neo 2 vs Sonos Move
- Sonos Move vs Ultimate Ears Everboom
- Soundcore Rave Neo 2 vs Marshall Middleton II
- Marshall Middleton II vs LG Xboom Bounce
The Two Speakers In Full
Soundcore Motion X500: $99.99 Amazon
Pros: 40W stereo with 3-driver layout (two tweeters + woofer). IPX7 weatherproof rating. Compact and very portable. Fine build quality at this price. Spatial Dynamic mode provides immersive sound. Gets close to 12 hour battery claim.
Cons: A little bright on top, a custom EQ can flatten things out a bit. Peaks at 250hz and dip at 1khz
Full Soundcore Motion X500 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7" x 8" x 3.2" (220 x 202 x 81 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 58mm (2.3") forward-firing full-range drivers + 1x 43mm (1.7") upward-firing driver |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 104dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4.6 lbs / 2.1 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Motion X500 vs Sonos Move 2
- Soundcore Motion X500 vs Bose SoundLink Plus
- Soundcore Motion X500 vs Sonos Move
- Soundcore Motion X500 vs Soundcore Rave Neo 2
- Soundcore Motion X500 vs Soundcore Motion X600
- Soundcore Motion X500 vs JBL Xtreme 3
- Soundcore Motion X500 vs LG Xboom Bounce
- Soundcore Motion X500 vs Marshall Middleton
- See all 17 comparisons
Marshall Middleton II: $330 Amazon
Pros: Very deep bass for the size/weight.
Cons: Bass boosted which drowns out the midrange. Dip around 200hz, peak at 1khz, dipped at 1.6khz. Strange frequency response through the mids.
Full Marshall Middleton II review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.1" x 3.9" x 4.3" (230 x 98 x 110 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 75mm woofers, 2x 0.625" tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (5 band) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 80W |
| 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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Marshall Middleton II vs Sonos Move
- Marshall Middleton II vs LG Xboom Bounce
- Marshall Middleton II vs Sonos Move 2
- Marshall Middleton II vs Marshall Middleton
- Marshall Middleton II vs Ultimate Ears Everboom
- Marshall Middleton II vs Bose SoundLink Plus
- Marshall Middleton II vs Marshall Kilburn II
- Marshall Middleton II vs Soundcore Rave Neo 2
- See all 16 comparisons