Short answer: the Soundcore Motion X600. It ranks #19 of 77 large speakers by sound quality at $150; the Marshall Middleton ranks #31 and costs $224.90, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Soundcore Motion X600 gets right: Firmware 4.2.9 is a big improvement in sound quality over previous releases. The catch: Stock frequency response is wavy.
What the Marshall Middleton offers: Very deep bass for the size/weight. Watch for: 5db dip at 1.7khz and 6.3khz.
Buy the Soundcore Motion X600. 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 X600.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Motion X600 | Marshall Middleton | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $150 | $224.90 |
| Ranked | #19 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #31 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 52Hz | 39Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 83ms | - |
| Max Volume | 104dB | 99dB |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 5.2 lbs / 2.35 kg | 4 lbs / 1.8 kg |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 11.8" x 4.8" x 3.2" (300 x 121 x 81 mm) | 9.1" x 3.7" x 4.3" (230 x 95 x 109 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 | 50W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
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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 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| 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
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- Soundcore Motion X600 vs Soundcore Select Pro
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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.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: 3 minutes ago….. Marshall Middleton Review, true stereophonic, no honestly 😊
- Mateusz Cholewa: BOGASING S8 Pro MAX HiFi ?🆚 MARSHALL🎸MIDDELTON
- Mateusz Cholewa: Marshall Middleton👌🎶 🆚 JBL Xtreme 4 🎶📢
- Oluv Patreon: Marshall Middleton - first impressions
- Danny Pops: Is it Any Good? - Marshall Middleton Review
- Smart Home Sounds: Best Premium Bluetooth Speakers: Sonos Move, JBL Xtreme 3, Marshall Middleton & More…
- Storytripper HD: Marshall Middleton vs Klipsch Detroit
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Bass Check 💣 Treblab HD-360, Ultimate Ears EpicBoom, Marshall Middleton & JBL Pulse 5. Boom or Bust?
- Reddit Search for Marshall Middleton Review
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