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Marshall Emberton II Speaker Review

Tested using Methodology v0.8
Reviewed Jul 27, 2022 at 11:53 am
Latest change: Writing modified Apr 05, 2023 at 03:15 pm
Marshall Emberton II Picture
6.9
Music
6.4
Videos/Movies
7.9
Podcasts
3.2
Voice Assistant
7.7
Outdoors

The Marshall Emberton II is the second generation of the Marshall Emberton and looks very similar to its predecessor. The Emberton II sports Marshall's iconic amp-like design. This small speaker is part of Marshall's portable speaker lineup, along with the smaller Marshall Willen, making it easy to bring your favorite music with you wherever your heart desires. However, unlike the Emberton, it's also compatible with the Marshall Bluetooth app, which you can use to access EQ presets, and you can connect the speaker to other Marshall Emberton II speakers when you want to amplify your audio.

Our Verdict

6.9 Music

The Marshall Emberton II is alright for music. It has a balanced sound profile suitable for listening to a wide variety of audio content. Its balanced mid-range ensures vocals and lead instruments sound clear and present in the mix, and there's a bit of extra warmth and boom in the bass range too. It also has a fantastic soundstage that you'll perceive as immersive and spacious-sounding. Unfortunately, like most small speakers, it also lacks low-bass, so you can't feel the deep thump and rumble typically present in bass-heavy music. That said, while there isn't a graphic EQ to let you fully customize its sound to your liking, there are EQ presets you can use to choose a sound you prefer.

Pros
  • Balanced sound profile.
  • EQ presets.
  • Fantastic soundstage.
Cons
  • Lots of compression present at max volume.
  • No graphic EQ.
  • Lacks low-bass.
6.4 Videos/Movies

The Marshall Emberton II is passable for watching videos and movies. This stereo speaker offers a fantastic soundstage that you'll perceive as immersive and open-sounding. It also has low Bluetooth latency with iOS and Android devices. As a result, the visuals you see on your screen are in sync with the audio you hear from the speaker. Some apps compensate for Bluetooth latency differently, and your experience may vary. Also, like most small speakers, it doesn't get very loud and lacks low-bass, so you can't feel the deep thump and rumble typically present in action-packed scenes like during car crashes or explosions.

Pros
  • Balanced sound profile.
  • Low Bluetooth latency with iOS and Android devices.
  • EQ presets.
  • Fantastic soundstage.
Cons
  • Doesn't get very loud.
  • Lots of compression present at max volume.
  • No graphic EQ.
  • Lacks low-bass.
7.9 Podcasts

The Marshall Emberton II is good for listening to podcasts. It has a balanced mid-range that ensures voices and dialogue reproduce clearly and accurately in the mix. There's even a 'Voice' preset you can use when listening to vocal-centric content like audiobooks and podcasts. It's small and lightweight, making it incredibly portable, so you can easily move your podcast with you from room to room. Also, it has excellent directivity, so your audio sounds the same when listening from different angles, like when listening from behind the speaker.

Pros
  • Balanced sound profile.
  • Incredibly portable.
  • EQ presets.
Cons
  • Doesn't get very loud.
  • No graphic EQ.
3.2 Voice Assistant

The Marshall Emberton II doesn't support voice assistants.

7.7 Outdoors

The Marshall Emberton II is good for outdoor use. This portable speaker is rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, meaning it's certified to be dust tight and immersible in up to a meter of water for up to 30 minutes, so you can take it outdoors without worrying about it getting wet. It also offers a long-lasting battery life of around 22 hours from a single charge, making it great for long listening sessions spent outside. That said, like most speakers its size, it isn't loud enough to fill large outdoor spaces. There's also a lot of compression present at max volume that degrades the quality of your audio when the volume is maxed out.

Pros
  • IP67 rating for dust and water resistance.
  • Incredibly portable.
  • 22-hour battery life.
Cons
  • Doesn't get very loud.
  • Lots of compression present at max volume.
  • 6.9 Music
  • 6.4 Videos/Movies
  • 7.9 Podcasts
  • 3.2 Voice Assistant
  • 7.7 Outdoors
  1. Updated Apr 05, 2023: Added a market comparison with the Marshall Middleton in the App box.
  2. Updated Dec 05, 2022: Corrected an error that previously listed the metal grilles as made of plastic in the Build Quality box.
  3. Updated Jul 27, 2022: Review published.
  4. Updated Jul 19, 2022: Early access published.
  5. Updated Jul 12, 2022: Our testers have started testing this product.
  6. Updated Jul 11, 2022: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  7. Updated Jul 05, 2022: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

The Marshall Emberton II comes in two color variants, 'Black and Brass' and 'Cream'. This review represents the test results for the 'Black and Brass' variant; you can see its label here. Both variants are expected to perform similarly.

If you come across any other variants, let us know in the discussions, and we'll update our review.

Compared To Other Speakers

The Marshall Emberton II is the next generation of the Marshall Emberton. Like its predecessor, it's a small portable speaker designed to look like an amp. However, it's compatible with the Marshall Bluetooth app, which lets you access EQ presets to tweak its sound to your liking. It produces a slightly more extended low-bass. It's also better built with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance that certifies it to be dust-tight and immersible in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes. However, like most speakers its size, it doesn't get very loud and lacks low-bass, so you can't feel the deep thump and rumble typically present in bass-heavy music like EDM and hip-hop.

See also our recommendations for the best portable Bluetooth speakers, the best Bluetooth speakers for bass, and the loudest Bluetooth speakers.

Bose SoundLink Flex

The Marshall Emberton II is better than the Bose SoundLink Flex, though they have different strengths. The Marshall can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono, resulting in a more immersive soundstage. Its soundstage is perceived as wider and more spacious. It also comes with EQ presets to tweak its sound to your liking and has longer-lasting battery life. That said, the Bose has less compression present at max volume, resulting in cleaner-sounding audio at louder volume levels. It also supports voice assistants through your smartphone and is excellent at hearing you from far away and in noisy environments.

Marshall Emberton

The Marshall Emberton II is a better speaker than the Marshall Emberton overall. The Emberton II is compatible with the Marshall Bluetooth app, which lets you access EQ presets to tweak its sound to your liking. It can produce a more extended low-bass than its predecessor. It's better built with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance that certifies it to be dust-tight and immersible in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes. Also, it gets slightly louder and has lower latency with iOS devices, though some apps compensate for latency differently, and your experience may vary.

JBL Flip 6

The Marshall Emberton II is a slightly better speaker than the JBL Flip 6 overall. The Marshall can produce a more extended low-bass and can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono. It also offers a wider-sounding soundstage and has a longer-lasting battery life of just over 22 hours. However, the JBL has less compression present at max volume, resulting in cleaner audio when the volume is maxed out. It also features a graphic EQ to tweak its sound to your liking.

Marshall Middleton

The Marshall Middleton is a bit better than the Marshall Emberton II. Both are portable Bluetooth speakers with a similar design, though the Middleton is slightly larger. It can reproduce more bass, and you may find its bass and treble adjustments give you more control over its sound than the Emberton II's presets. That said, its battery doesn't last quite as long.

JBL Charge 5

The Marshall Emberton II is a slightly better speaker than the JBL Charge 5, though they have different strengths. The Marshall is smaller, making it more portable. It offers a wider and more immersive-sounding soundstage that can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono. It has a longer-lasting battery life. It also has lower Bluetooth latency with iOS and Android devices, making it more suitable for watching movies and videos. However, the JBL gets a touch louder than the Marshall, with much less compression present at max volume, so your audio doesn't degrade as much as you turn up the volume. Also, while the Marshall comes with EQ presets to adjust its sound, the JBL has a graphic EQ that gives you more control over the speaker's sound.

Marshall Willen

The Marshall Emberton II is a better speaker than the Marshall Willen. The Emberton II offers a wider-sounding soundstage and can produce a significantly more extended low-bass than the Willen. Its sound profile is more balanced. It can also play stereo content without downmixing it to mono, resulting in a more immersive soundstage. However, the Willen has significantly less compression present at max volume, so audio sounds cleaner at louder volume levels. It's also a bit smaller in size, making it a bit more portable.

Sonos Roam/Roam SL

The Marshall Emberton II is a better speaker than the Sonos Roam/Roam SL. The Marshall offers a better soundstage and can produce stereo content without downmixing it to mono. It also has a significantly longer-lasting battery life of around 22 hours, as opposed to Sonos' 5 hours of playtime. That said, the Sonos is Wi-Fi compatible. Its Roam variant comes with Alexa and Google Assistant built-in and has little trouble registering your commands from far away and in noisier environments.

Marshall Woburn III

The Marshall Emberton II and the Marshall Woburn III are designed with different uses in mind. The smaller, more portable Emberton is ideal for users who want to take their audio with them on the go. It's rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, unlike the Woburn. However, it doesn't get as loud as the larger, wired-only Woburn, nor does it reproduce as much low-bass. Since the Woburn is designed for use with TVs, it's the only one with an HDMI ARC input.

Anker Soundcore Motion+

The Marshall Emberton is a slightly better speaker than the Anker Soundcore Motion+. The Marshall has better directivity, resulting in a much wider and open-sounding soundstage. It has a longer-lasting battery life and is better built with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance that certifies it to be dust-tight and immersible in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes. It's smaller too, making it more portable. That said, the Anker gets a bit louder with much less compression present at max volume, resulting in cleaner-sounding audio at louder volume levels. Also, the Anker gives you more control over its sound profile thanks to the graphic EQ and presets featured in its companion app.

JBL Xtreme 3

The JBL Xtreme 3 is slightly better than the Marshall Emberton II. The JBL gets a bit louder than the Marshall with less compression at max volume, so your audio sounds cleaner when the volume is maxed out. It can produce a slightly more extended low-bass, and the graphic EQ in its companion app offers more control over its sound profile. It comes with a carrying strap to help transport it too. The strap has a built-in bottle opener so you can enjoy drinks with friends. However, the Marshall offers a more spacious and immersive-sounding soundstage that can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono. It's smaller in size, making it easier to carry in one hand. It also has a longer-lasting battery life of around 22 hours.

Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3

The Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 is a better speaker than the Marshall Emberton II. The Ultimate Ears gets a touch louder than the Marshall, with significantly less compression at max volume, so your audio doesn't degrade as much when the volume is maxed out. It gives you more control over your speaker's sound profile thanks to the graphic EQ and presets in its companion app. It's better-built too, and the manufacturer even advertises it can float in water. That said, the Marshall can produce a more extended low-bass than the Ultimate Ears. 

Bushnell Wingman

The Marshall Emberton II is a better speaker than the Bushnell Wingman. The Marshall has a better-balanced sound profile out of the box, that can produce a more extended low-bass. It offers a wider and more spacious-sounding soundstage. There are presets you can use to tweak its sound to your liking. It has a longer-lasting battery life and is slightly smaller, making it easier to carry with you on the go. However, the Bushnell gets louder with significantly less compression at max volume, resulting in cleaner-sounding audio. It also has golf-oriented features like a built-in GPS, and its companion app helps you record your score and calculate yardages.

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Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
Design
Style
RGB Lights No

The Marshall Emberton II is a small, rectangular portable Bluetooth speaker designed to look like an amp. It looks similar to its predecessor, the Marshall Emberton. However, its grille is black, and the logo is brass colored. This review represents the test results for the 'Black and Brass' color variant, but you can also find it in 'Cream'.

9.3
Design
Portability
Volume
49 in³ (798 cm³)
Weight
1.5 lbs (0.7 kg)
Power Source
Battery & USB
One-Hand Carry
Yes

The Marshall Emberton II is incredibly portable. Like the Marshall Emberton, you can carry this small, lightweight speaker in one hand, making it easy to bring with you wherever you go. It's battery-powered, so you can take it outdoors without looking for a power outlet.

7.9
Design
Build Quality
Material Quality
Good
Water Resistance
Submersible (IPx7)
Dust Resistance
Dust-Proof (IP6x)
Impact Resistance
Unspecified
Floats In Water
Unspecified

The Marshall Emberton II is very well-built. It feels sturdy overall, and there are metal grilles to protect the drivers inside. It's rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, meaning it's certified to be dust tight and immersible in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes, so you don't have to worry about it getting a bit wet or accidentally dropping it into a pool of water.

7.0
Design
Controls
Ease Of Use
Great
Feedback
Great
Music Play/Pause
Yes (Physical)
Call Answer/End
No
Volume Up/Down
Yes (Physical)
Track Next/Previous
Yes (Physical)
Microphone On/Off
No
Additional Controls
Yes

The Marshall Emberton II has a decent selection of easy-to-use controls. It comes with a multi-function button atop it. You can press and hold it to turn it on/off, press once to play/pause, and push left and right to skip tracks or backtrack. You can also press and hold it left and right to fast-forward or rewind your track and hold it up or down to adjust its volume levels. The speaker emits a chime to let you know once you've reached max volume. There's a Bluetooth button, which you can press and hold to enable pairing mode. It causes the Bluetooth light to blink and then turn solid red once it's paired with your device. The speaker also emits a chime to inform you it paired successfully. You can triple press the Bluetooth button to start or end what Marshall calls a 'Stack Mode'. It lets you connect multiple other Marshall Emberton II speakers when you want to amplify your audio. Like the Marshall Emberton, it also has a battery life indicator on the top-right of the speaker.

Design
In The Box

  • Marshall Emberton II speaker
  • USB-C charging cable
  • User manual with legal and safety information

Sound
6.8
Sound
Frequency Response Accuracy
Slope
0.53
Std. Err.
3.04 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
59.1 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
14.3 kHz

The Marshall Emberton II's frequency response accuracy is alright. It has a balanced sound profile overall, making it suitable for listening to a wide variety of audio content. Its balanced mid-range ensures vocals and lead instruments reproduce accurately and with detail in the mix, making it good for vocal-centric audio content like audiobooks and podcasts. There's also a bit of extra boom and warmth in the bass range that's good for fans of bass-heavy music like EDM and hip-hop. That said, like most speakers its size, it lacks low-bass, so you can't feel the deep thump and rumble typically present in bass-heavy music. While there's no graphic EQ to fully customize its sound profile to your liking, you can still tweak its sound thanks to the presets featured in its companion app.

Sound
Raw Frequency Response
Binaural Recording @ 1m
Binaural Recording @ 2m
9.2
Sound
Soundstage
Directivity Index
1.54 dB
Stereo
Yes

The Marshall Emberton II's soundstage is fantastic. This stereo speaker offers excellent directivity since it projects sound from its front and rear. As a result, you'll perceive its soundstage as wide and spacious-sounding, and your audio sounds the same when listening from different angles, like when listening from behind the speaker. Also, since it can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono, instruments and sound effects in your audio are localized to a pinpoint location. For example, if you play a song that normally has the drums on the left and the guitar on the right, this speaker emits the drum sounds from the left side of the speaker and the guitar sounds from the right side. Since the speaker is small, it's hard to notice these distinctions when passively listening to music. However, this adds to the immersiveness of the speaker's soundstage.

4.6
Sound
Dynamics
SPL @ Max Volume
87.6 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
6.53 dB

The Marshall Emberton II has a poor dynamics performance. Like most speakers its size, it doesn't get loud enough to fill larger rooms and spaces, though it still gets loud enough to fill a small bedroom with sound. It also has a lot of compression present at max volume, especially in the bass range, which degrades the quality of your audio as you bump up the volume. As a result, your audio doesn't sound as clean and clear when the volume is maxed out.

Active Features
8.7
Active Features
Battery
Battery Life
22.1 hrs
Charge Time
4.9 hrs
Power Saving
Yes
Charging Port
USB-C
Battery Powered
Yes

The Marshall Emberton II has a great battery performance. While it's advertised to last over 30 hours from a single 3-hour charge, the speaker lasted a little over 22 hours from a 4.9-hour charge during testing. That said, 22 hours is still fantastic, making it great for longer listening sessions. Battery performance also differs depending on your listening habits and chosen settings. There's also a power-saving mode that shuts the speaker off after almost 20 minutes of inactivity.

0
Active Features
Voice Assistant
Alexa
No
Google Assistant
No
Speakerphone
No
Siri
No
Voice Assistant
No
Voice Activation
No
Microphone Mute
No Microphone
Far-Field Performance
No Microphone
Ambient Noise Performance
No Microphone
6.0
Active Features
App
App Name
Marshall Bluetooth
iOS
Yes
Android
Yes
EQ
Presets
Stereo Pair Mode
No
Party Mode
Yes
Multi-Room
No

Unlike the Marshall Emberton, this speaker is compatible with the Marshall Bluetooth app. The app isn't bad and is compatible with both iOS and Android devices. You can use it to access its EQ presets: 'Marshall' which is its default preset, 'Push' to give the bass and treble a boost, and 'Voice' which boosts the mid-range for vocal-centric audio content like podcasts. If you prefer bass and treble adjustments, you can look at the similarly-designed Marshall Middleton. Both speakers also have a party mode the manufacturer calls 'Stack Mode', which you can use to connect with compatible speakers to amplify sound across larger spaces.

Connectivity
Connectivity
Wired
Aux Input
No
USB Audio
No
Other Ports
No

Aside from its charging port, the Marshall Emberton II doesn't have wired inputs.

9.7
Connectivity
Bluetooth
Bluetooth
Yes
Bluetooth Version
5.1
Bluetooth iOS Latency
1 ms
Bluetooth Android Latency
33 ms
Bluetooth Range
301.8 ft (92.0 m)
Multi-Device Pairing
2 Devices

The Marshall Emberton II has fantastic Bluetooth connectivity. You can connect two devices to the speaker at once, which is handy when you frequently switch between audio sources. It has fantastic range, so your paired devices remain connected to the speaker from far away. It also has low latency with iOS and Android devices, making it suitable for watching videos since the audio you hear is in sync with the video you see on your screen. Some apps compensate for latency differently, and your real-world experience may differ.

0
Connectivity
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi Version
No Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi Frequency Band
No Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
No
Apple AirPlay
No
AirPlay Latency
N/A
Google Chromecast
No
Chromecast Latency
N/A