Marshall Willen vs Willen II: Evolution of Ultra-Portable Sound

When Marshall released the original Willen in May 2022, they brought their signature sound and style to an ultra-portable format. Now, with the August 2024 release of the Willen II, they've refined that formula with meaningful improvements. Let's explore how these compact speakers compare and which might be right for you.

Understanding Portable Bluetooth Speakers in 2024

Today's portable speakers need to balance multiple competing priorities. They must deliver satisfying sound while remaining compact enough to carry anywhere. Battery life needs to last through extended outdoor sessions, and durability is essential for surviving adventures. Modern speakers also need to keep up with evolving Bluetooth standards and audio sharing capabilities.

Sound Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Driver Design and Output

Both speakers use a similar fundamental design - a 2-inch full-range driver paired with two passive radiators. These passive radiators are like unpowered speakers that move in response to air pressure inside the cabinet, helping to enhance bass response in a small enclosure. However, the Willen II makes some meaningful improvements.

The newer model extends its frequency response down to 75Hz (compared to 100Hz in the original), allowing it to reproduce deeper bass notes. While this might seem like a small change, it's significant for a speaker this size. The maximum volume has also increased from 82dB to 88dB - this 6dB difference means the Willen II can sound about twice as loud at maximum volume.

Real-World Performance

In practice, these specs translate to noticeable improvements. The Willen II produces more authoritative bass and can better fill larger spaces. Neither speaker will shake your walls, but the Willen II's extra output helps it maintain clarity at higher volumes, especially outdoors.

Both models share Marshall's signature sound profile, which tends to emphasize mids and highs while keeping bass controlled rather than boomy. This works well for rock, acoustic, and vocal-heavy music, though bass-heavy genres like EDM might leave some wanting more.

Battery Life and Charging: Important Updates

The Willen II brings meaningful improvements to power management:

• Battery life: 17+ hours (up from 15+ hours)
• Quick charge: 5.5 hours from 20 minutes (up from 3 hours)
• Full charge time: 2.5 hours (down from 3 hours)

These improvements matter in real-world use. The quick charge feature is particularly valuable - a brief pit stop can now get you through most of a day's listening. The original Willen was already competitive in this area, but the Willen II raises the bar further.

Connectivity and Future-Proofing

Perhaps the most significant technical advancement in the Willen II is its Bluetooth 5.3 implementation with LE Audio support. This newer standard brings several benefits:

• Lower power consumption
• More stable connections
• Better audio quality potential
• Support for upcoming Auracast features

Auracast deserves special mention - it's a new technology that will allow multiple people to share audio streams to compatible devices, similar to how you might share a movie in a theater to multiple wireless headphones. While this feature isn't active at launch, the Willen II will receive it through a firmware update.

The original Willen uses Bluetooth 5.1, which is still perfectly capable but won't support these newer features. Both speakers support connecting to two devices simultaneously, which is handy for switching between your phone and laptop.

Build Quality and Durability

Both models feature:

• IP67 water and dust resistance (can survive 30 minutes submerged in 1 meter of water)
• Metal grille construction
• Rubber-mounted controls
• Integrated rubber strap for mounting

The Willen II is slightly larger to accommodate its improved acoustics, but the difference is minimal - we're talking about millimeters, not centimeters. Both speakers feel substantial and well-built, with the signature Marshall styling that combines retro aesthetics with modern durability.

Controls and User Experience

Both speakers feature Marshall's excellent joystick-style control knob, which handles:

• Volume adjustment
• Track navigation
• Play/pause
• Call management

The control scheme is intuitive and more precise than typical button-based interfaces. Both models also work with the Marshall Bluetooth app, which provides:

• EQ adjustment
• Firmware updates
• Battery status
• Stack Mode settings for linking multiple speakers

Value Proposition

Here's where the decision gets interesting. The original Willen launched at $119.99 but is now available for $59.99. The Willen II enters at $119.99.

Is the Willen II worth twice the price? It depends on your priorities:

Willen II Advantages

• Better bass response
• Higher maximum volume
• Longer battery life
• Faster charging
• Future Auracast support

Original Willen Advantages

• Currently half the price
• Still excellent build quality
• Proven reliability
• Slightly more compact

How to Decide

Choose the original Willen if:

• You're budget-conscious
• You primarily use it for personal listening
• Basic Bluetooth connectivity meets your needs
• You don't need maximum volume output

Choose the Willen II if:

• You want the best possible sound in this size
• Quick charging is important to your use case
• You're interested in future Auracast features
• Maximum volume output matters for your usage
• You want the latest tech for future-proofing

For most users, the original Willen at its current price represents exceptional value. The improvements in the Willen II are genuine and meaningful, but they come at a significant price premium. If you're not specifically excited about the Willen II's improvements, the original model remains an excellent choice at its reduced price point.

Remember that both speakers excel at their core function - providing portable, durable sound in a compact package. Your choice might ultimately come down to whether the Willen II's improvements justify its higher price for your specific needs and budget.

Marshall Willen Portable Bluetooth Speaker Deals and Prices

Marshall Willen II Portable Bluetooth Speaker Deals and Prices