Short answer: the Xiaomi Sound Party. It ranks #20 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $149.99. The Marshall Emberton II ranks #126, rated 2.7/5, at $114, $35.99 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The Xiaomi Sound Party is the better-sounding, deeper-bass choice. A versatile outdoor speaker with warm, balanced sound, fully waterproof build, long battery life, a phone charging port and a handy retractable handle. Its bass reaches about 54Hz before falling 10dB, against 62Hz for the Marshall Emberton II. Alan Ross Reviews measured it at 102dB at full volume, against 88dB for the Marshall Emberton II. The catch: The sound evidence is mixed rather than universally glowing.
The Marshall Emberton II is the lighter option. A tough waterproof speaker with Marshall styling, a very long battery and quick charging. At 1.5 lbs (700 g) it weighs much less than the Xiaomi Sound Party at 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg). It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Xiaomi Sound Party. The catch: Strange unnatural echo-like sound coloration, bass not as deep as competitors.
Buy the Xiaomi Sound Party. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $35.99 saving on the Marshall Emberton II is not enough to make up the difference.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
A versatile outdoor speaker with warm, balanced sound, fully waterproof build, long battery life, a phone charging port and a handy retractable handle.
A tough waterproof speaker with Marshall styling, a very long battery and quick charging.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Xiaomi Sound Party | Marshall Emberton II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.99 | $114.00 |
| Ranked | #20 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #126 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz | 62Hz |
| Battery Life | 26 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (3 presets via app) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect, up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/3A) | No |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 10” x 3.6” x 3.6” (255 x 92 x 92 mm) | 6.3” x 2.7” x 3” (160 x 68 x 76 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm woofers (35W total) + 2x 15mm tweeters | 2x 2” full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Maximum SPL | 102dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 88dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Weight | 2.6 lbs (1200 g) | 1.5 lbs (700 g) |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | 20W |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/2A) | USB-C |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | No |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 80ms |
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