Short answer: the Soundcore Motion X600. It ranks #19 of 77 large speakers by sound quality at $150; the Marshall Middleton II ranks #28 and costs $330, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The Soundcore Motion X600’s case: Firmware 4.2.9 brought a big improvement in sound quality over previous releases, and it sounds best with Oluv’s EQ applied. The catch is: the stock frequency response is wavy and would only rank around #20 without the Oluv EQ, spatial mode is needed for the best sound, a different EQ is needed at each volume step, there’s a dip in the upper bass around 120Hz with a hot treble, and even with the EQ applied the bass isn’t very deep and the sound stays a little unnatural.
The Marshall Middleton II earns points for: Very deep bass for its size and weight. But: its bass is boosted enough to drown out the midrange, with a dip around 200Hz, a peak at 1kHz, and another dip at 1.6kHz for a strange frequency response through the mids.
Buy the Soundcore Motion X600. 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 X600.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Motion X600 | Marshall Middleton II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $150 | $330 |
| Ranked | #19 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #28 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 52Hz | 38Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 83ms | - |
| Max Volume | 104dB | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 5.2 lbs / 2.35 kg | 4 lbs / 1.8 kg |
| App | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes (5 band) |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 11.8" x 4.8" x 3.2" (300 x 121 x 81 mm) | 9.1" x 3.9" x 4.3" (230 x 98 x 110 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 60mm woofers, 2x 27mm tweeters, 1x 50mm 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 | 50W | 80W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
The Two Speakers In Full
Soundcore Motion X600: $150 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: Firmware 4.2.9 is a big improvement in sound quality over previous releases. Try this Oluv EQ for the best sound quality
Cons: Stock frequency response is wavy. Use spatial mode for best sound quality. Need a different EQ for each volume step. Dip in the upper bass around 120hz. Rising frequency response, treble a little hot. Would be ranked around #20 without the Oluv EQ. Even with the Oluv EQ the bass isn’t very deep and the sound is still a little unnatural.
Full Soundcore Motion X600 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 52Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 83ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.8" x 4.8" x 3.2" (300 x 121 x 81 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 60mm woofers, 2x 27mm tweeters, 1x 50mm upward-firing driver |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 104dB |
| Output Power | 50W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 5.2 lbs / 2.35 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Motion X600 now tuned by Alan Ross (sort of) Not clickbait!
- Alan Ross Reviews: breaking news…..Soundcore Motion X600 with LDAC and spatial audio!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Spatial Audio: Soundcore Motion X600 Vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Motion x600 (best speaker ever) or two motion booms?
- Alan Ross Reviews: Craziest firmware update ever - Soundcore Motion X600 3.2.8/4.2.8 🤦♀️
- Oluv Patreon: SoundCore Motion X600 vs VIFA Helsinki
- NeverEnoughTech: soundcore Motion X600 vs. Sonos Move vs. Bose Soundlink Revolve II
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: TREBLAB HD-360 (360° Sound) vs Soundcore Motion X600 (Spatial Sound)😮💨 Cornered in Basement Kitchen
- Reddit Search for Soundcore Motion X600 Review
- Head-to-Head 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 |
| 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