As wireless speakers have become essential gear for many of us, choosing between premium and budget options gets trickier every year. Today, we're comparing two popular but very different portable speakers: the premium Marshall Emberton II ($169) and the budget-friendly Anker Soundcore 2 ($45).
The portable speaker market has come a long way since the early Bluetooth days of tinny, unreliable sound. Released in 2022, the Marshall Emberton II represents the premium segment's latest advancements, improving on its predecessor with better battery life and new features like Stack Mode (which lets you wirelessly connect multiple speakers). The Anker Soundcore 2, while older, has remained popular thanks to its solid performance and value proposition.
The Emberton II showcases Marshall's audio expertise with its True Stereophonic system - a fancy term for their approach to creating immersive 360-degree sound. Two 2-inch full-range drivers (the speakers that produce the actual sound) work alongside two passive radiators (which help enhance bass without requiring additional power) to create a surprisingly big sound from a compact package.
In practice, this means you get clear, well-balanced audio that sounds good from any angle - particularly useful for outdoor gatherings where people are scattered around. The speaker handles complex music well, keeping vocals clear while maintaining punchy bass, though it does have limitations with very bass-heavy tracks at maximum volume.
The Soundcore 2 takes a more straightforward approach with its dual 6-watt drivers. While it can't match the Emberton II's sophistication, it delivers surprisingly competent sound that outperforms its price point. Anker's BassUp technology (their proprietary bass enhancement system) helps provide fuller low-end response, though it's not as refined as Marshall's solution.
The key difference becomes apparent at higher volumes - while the Emberton II maintains clarity, the Soundcore 2 can sound a bit strained when pushed to its limits. For background music and personal listening, however, most users will find it more than adequate.
The Emberton II feels premium from the moment you pick it up. Its IP67 rating means it's fully protected against dust and can handle being submerged in water up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes. The silicone exterior and metal grille not only look great but provide serious protection against drops and bumps.
The Soundcore 2 features a rugged plastic construction with a rubber coating that helps prevent slips. Its IPX5 rating means it can handle rain and splashes but shouldn't be submerged. While it doesn't feel as premium as the Marshall, it's still well-built for its price point and can handle typical day-to-day use without issue.
Battery performance has become increasingly important as we rely more on portable devices. The Emberton II advertises an impressive 30+ hours of playback, though real-world testing often shows closer to 10 hours at moderate volumes. It does feature quick charging, providing 4 hours of playback from a 20-minute charge.
The Soundcore 2 promises 24 hours of playback and tends to deliver more consistent real-world performance, typically achieving 20+ hours at moderate volumes. Both speakers use USB charging, though the Marshall employs the more modern USB-C while the Anker uses micro-USB.
Both speakers handle outdoor use well, but the Emberton II's superior water resistance and higher volume capability make it better suited for beach trips or pool parties. The Soundcore 2 works fine for picnics and casual outdoor use but might struggle to fill larger outdoor spaces with sound.
For home use, both speakers perform well in different contexts. The Emberton II's better sound separation and clarity make it excellent for focused listening sessions. The Soundcore 2's aux input provides more flexibility for connecting non-Bluetooth devices, making it a versatile option for different rooms in the house.
Both speakers are compact enough for travel, though the Soundcore 2's lower price point might make you less nervous about tossing it in a bag or leaving it in a hotel room.
The Marshall Emberton II asks a premium price but delivers premium features. You're paying for superior sound quality, better build quality, and advanced features like Stack Mode and app support. Whether this is worth the extra cost depends entirely on your priorities and budget.
The Anker Soundcore 2 offers remarkable value, delivering solid performance across the board at a fraction of the price. While it can't match the Marshall's refinement, it handles the basics very well and includes features like an aux input that the more expensive speaker lacks.
Choose the Marshall Emberton II if:
Choose the Anker Soundcore 2 if:
Both speakers excel in their respective price categories. The Marshall Emberton II represents the premium end of portable speakers, offering superior sound quality and features for those willing to pay for them. The Anker Soundcore 2 proves that good sound doesn't have to be expensive, delivering impressive performance at a budget-friendly price point.
The decision ultimately comes down to your specific needs and budget. If you're an audio enthusiast who will appreciate the Marshall's superior sound quality and features, it's worth the investment. If you need a capable speaker for casual use and want to save some money, the Anker provides exceptional value without major compromises.
| Marshall Emberton II | Anker Soundcore 2 |
|---|---|
| Price - Overall value consideration | |
| $169 (premium segment) | $45 (budget segment) |
| Power Output - Determines maximum volume and clarity | |
| 2x10W drivers (loud and clear at high volumes) | 2x6W drivers (adequate for personal listening) |
| Water Resistance - Important for outdoor use | |
| IP67 (fully waterproof, submersible) | IPX5 (splash resistant only) |
| Battery Life - Real-world usage time | |
| 30+ hours advertised, ~10 hours real-world | 24 hours advertised, ~20 hours real-world |
| Sound Technology - Impact on audio quality | |
| True Stereophonic with dual passive radiators (360° premium sound) | Basic stereo with BassUp technology (good but basic sound) |
| Bluetooth Version - Affects connection quality | |
| 5.1 (modern, stable connection) | 4.2 (older but reliable) |
| Additional Features - Flexibility of use | |
| App support, Stack Mode, multi-device pairing | Basic controls, includes aux input |
| Size/Weight - Portability factor | |
| 0.7 kg (1.5 lbs), compact premium build | 0.32 kg (11.2 oz), more portable |
| Charging - Convenience factor | |
| USB-C with quick charge (4hrs from 20min) | Micro-USB (standard charging) |
| Build Quality - Durability and feel | |
| Premium materials, metal grille, silicone exterior | Durable plastic with rubber coating |
The Marshall Emberton II is better for home theater use due to its True Stereophonic sound and superior clarity. However, neither speaker is specifically designed for home theater - they're both better suited as supplementary or portable audio solutions.
The Marshall Emberton II costs $169, while the Anker Soundcore 2 is priced at $45. The price difference reflects their market positioning - premium vs budget segments.
The Marshall Emberton II offers notably better sound quality with its 2x10W drivers and True Stereophonic system. The Soundcore 2's 2x6W drivers provide good but basic sound that's appropriate for its price point.
Both can be used for small outdoor movie setups. The Marshall Emberton II performs better due to higher volume capability and IP67 waterproofing, while the Anker Soundcore 2 is suitable for more intimate settings.
The Anker Soundcore 2 delivers more consistent battery performance with about 20 hours of real-world use. While the Marshall Emberton II advertises 30+ hours, it typically achieves around 10 hours in practical use.
The Anker Soundcore 2 can connect directly to TVs with its aux input. The Marshall Emberton II requires Bluetooth connectivity, which may introduce audio lag in some situations.
The Marshall Emberton II is more durable with IP67 waterproofing and premium build quality. The Anker Soundcore 2 is still well-built but offers lower IPX5 water resistance.
The Marshall Emberton II offers Stack Mode for connecting multiple speakers. The Anker Soundcore 2 doesn't support multi-speaker connectivity.
Both speakers perform well in small rooms. The Anker Soundcore 2 provides sufficient volume and clarity for small spaces at a better value, while the Marshall offers higher quality but may be overkill.
Neither speaker offers direct smart home integration. Both rely on basic Bluetooth connectivity, though the Marshall Emberton II includes a companion app for additional control.
The Anker Soundcore 2 is lighter at 11.2 oz compared to the Marshall Emberton II at 1.5 lbs, making it more portable, though both are compact enough for travel.
The Anker Soundcore 2 offers better value for basic use, delivering about 70% of the Marshall's performance at 25% of the cost. However, the Marshall Emberton II justifies its premium price with superior sound quality and features.
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: 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 - community.anker.com - forums.androidcentral.com - community.anker.com - youtube.com - community.anker.com - community.anker.com - wirelessplace.com - cnet.com - youtube.com - walmart.com - us.ankerwork.com - support.soundcore.com
