Short answer: the Soundcore Motion X500. It ranks #24 of 77 large speakers by sound quality at $99.99; the Marshall Middleton ranks #31 and costs $224.90, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Soundcore Motion X500 offers: 40W stereo with 3-driver layout (two tweeters + woofer). Watch for: A little bright on top, a custom EQ can flatten things out a bit.
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 Soundcore Motion X500. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Marshall Middleton and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the Marshall Middleton is rated for 20 hours versus 12 hours for the Soundcore Motion X500.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Motion X500 | Marshall Middleton | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 | $224.90 |
| Ranked | #24 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #31 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz | 39Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 104dB | 99dB |
| 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 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 8.7" x 8" x 3.2" (220 x 202 x 81 mm) | 9.1" x 3.7" x 4.3" (230 x 95 x 109 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 | 50W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
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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.
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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.
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