When Marshall released the Emberton II in May 2022, it represented a solid upgrade to their portable speaker lineup. The Middleton followed in early 2023, bringing more power and features to the table. But which one deserves your hard-earned money? Let's dive deep into what makes each speaker special and help you decide which fits your needs best.
Today's portable speakers need to strike a delicate balance between sound quality, durability, and convenience. While early Bluetooth speakers often compromised sound for portability, modern technology allows even compact speakers to deliver impressive audio. Both the Middleton at $199 and Emberton II at $119 represent this evolution, though they take different approaches.
The Middleton packs serious audio hardware into its frame. With 60 watts of total power split between two 3-inch woofers (for low frequencies) and two tweeters (for high frequencies), it delivers a more complete sound spectrum. What does this mean in practice? You'll hear both the deep bass in hip-hop tracks and the subtle high notes in classical music with impressive clarity.
The speaker's True Stereophonic technology creates a 360-degree soundstage, meaning you'll get consistent sound quality regardless of where you're standing. This is particularly noticeable at outdoor gatherings where people are spread out around the speaker.
The Emberton II takes a different route with its 20-watt system using two 2-inch full-range drivers. While it can't match the Middleton's raw power, it produces remarkably balanced sound for its size. The smaller drivers handle all frequencies through a single unit, which can actually help maintain clarity at moderate volumes.
In testing, the Emberton II proves especially capable with vocal-heavy music and podcasts, where its balanced presentation shines. However, it does show limitations with bass-heavy tracks at higher volumes.
The physical differences between these speakers create distinct use cases:
Both speakers offer impressive battery life, but there are important distinctions:
The Middleton provides:
The Emberton II delivers:
Both speakers feature Marshall's signature styling with textured surfaces and metal grilles. They share:
In practical use, these differences manifest in specific ways:
The Middleton's additional power makes it better suited for outdoor use where sound needs to travel further and compete with ambient noise. Its fuller bass response also carries better in open spaces.
The Emberton II's more compact size makes it ideal for moving from room to room. Its balanced sound signature works well in smaller spaces where too much bass might be overwhelming.
For travelers, the Emberton II's lighter weight and longer battery life make it the clear choice. The Middleton, while portable, is better suited as a semi-permanent fixture that occasionally moves.
The Middleton justifies its higher price through:
Offers excellent value through:
Consider the Middleton if you:
Choose the Emberton II if you:
Since their respective releases, both speakers have received firmware updates improving their functionality. The Middleton's Stack Mode has become more reliable, while the Emberton II has gained additional EQ presets through app updates.
Both speakers excel in their intended use cases. The Middleton offers superior sound quality and features at a higher price point, while the Emberton II provides excellent portability and value. Your choice should ultimately depend on how you plan to use the speaker most often.
Remember that both speakers carry Marshall's signature sound quality and build, just optimized for different scenarios. The Middleton's additional power and features come at the cost of size and price, while the Emberton II's portability and simplicity make it perfect for on-the-go use.
| Marshall Middleton | Marshall Emberton II |
|---|---|
| Price - Current Market Position | |
| $199 (Originally $299) | $119 (Originally $169) |
| Power Output - Determines maximum volume and sound quality | |
| 60W total (2x15W woofers, 2x15W tweeters) | 20W total (2x10W full-range drivers) |
| Battery Life - Critical for portable use | |
| 20+ hours playback | 30+ hours playback |
| Size & Weight - Impacts portability | |
| 9.06" x 4.31" x 3.75", 4 lbs | Compact design, 1.5 lbs |
| Driver Configuration - Affects sound quality and clarity | |
| Dedicated woofers and tweeters with passive radiators | Two full-range drivers with passive radiators |
| Water/Dust Resistance - Important for outdoor use | |
| IP67 rated (fully protected) | IP67 rated (fully protected) |
| Special Features - Adds functionality beyond basic playback | |
| Stack Mode, Power bank function, Physical EQ controls | App EQ presets, Quick charge (4hrs from 20min) |
| Sound Characteristics - Real-world performance | |
| Fuller bass, better outdoor projection, superior at high volumes | Balanced sound, ideal for personal listening |
| Best Use Case - Where each speaker excels | |
| Home/yard use, gatherings, larger spaces | Travel, commuting, personal listening |
| Bluetooth Version & Range | |
| Bluetooth 5.1, 30ft range | Bluetooth 5.1, 30ft range |
| Charging Port | |
| USB-C with power bank capability | USB-C standard charging |
The Marshall Middleton is better for sound quality and power, while the Emberton II is better for portability and battery life. The Middleton offers 60W of power versus the Emberton II's 20W, making it superior for larger spaces and outdoor use.
The Marshall Middleton costs $199, while the Emberton II is priced at $119, making it $80 less expensive.
The Emberton II has better battery life at 30+ hours, compared to the Middleton's 20+ hours of playback time.
Yes, the Middleton is worth the extra cost if you need more power and better sound quality. It offers three times the power output and better bass response than the Emberton II.
The Emberton II is better for travel due to its lighter 1.5-pound weight, compared to the Middleton's 4-pound weight.
Yes, both the Middleton and Emberton II have IP67 water and dust resistance ratings, making them suitable for outdoor use.
The Marshall Middleton has better sound quality with dedicated woofers and tweeters, while the Emberton II uses full-range drivers that provide good but less detailed sound.
The Middleton is better for parties due to its higher power output and Stack Mode feature for connecting multiple speakers. The Emberton II is better suited for personal or small group listening.
The Middleton has more features, including Stack Mode, power bank functionality, and physical EQ controls. The Emberton II offers simpler operation with app-based EQ presets.
Yes, both the Middleton and Emberton II use Bluetooth 5.1 with approximately 30 feet of range.
The Emberton II has faster charging with its quick charge feature providing 4 hours of playback from 20 minutes of charging. The Middleton has standard charging speeds but offers power bank functionality.
Neither the Middleton nor Emberton II are designed for home theater use. They're both portable Bluetooth speakers optimized for music playback rather than movie audio.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: t3.com - whatsthebest.co.uk - youtube.com - techradar.com - timesofindia.indiatimes.com - crutchfield.com - bestbuy.com - camelcamelcamel.com - marshall.com - marshall.com - crutchfield.com - corporatespecialties.com - rtings.com - itworld.com.my - techradar.com - dreamwaveus.com - crutchfield.com - soundguys.com - gadgets360.com - rtings.com - youtube.com - youtube.com - youtube.com - shop.ash-asia.com - crutchfield.com - gadgetstyler.com - youtube.com - avstore.in
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