When it comes to portable Bluetooth speakers, two notable contenders are the Marshall Emberton II and the Beats Pill. Both launched at similar price points, with the Emberton II releasing in 2022 and the Beats Pill arriving in early 2024. Let's dive into what makes each speaker unique and help you decide which one better suits your needs.
Modern portable speakers have come a long way from their early predecessors. Today's models pack impressive sound quality into compact packages while offering features like water resistance, extended battery life, and multi-speaker pairing. The key is finding the right balance of features for your specific needs.
When evaluating portable speakers, several factors come into play:
Let's explore how the Marshall Emberton II and Beats Pill stack up in each category.
The Emberton II uses Marshall's True Stereophonic system - a fancy way of saying it produces 360-degree sound through its dual 2-inch drivers and passive radiators. This creates an impressive soundstage that works well in outdoor settings where people might be gathered around the speaker. The sound signature leans toward what you'd expect from Marshall - slightly warm with good presence in the mid-range frequencies where guitars and vocals live.
The newest Pill represents a significant upgrade in Beats' speaker line. It features a redesigned acoustic architecture with a larger woofer (the speaker that handles bass frequencies) that moves 90% more air than previous models. This translates to cleaner, more impactful bass, especially at higher volumes. The dedicated tweeter housing (for high frequencies) helps deliver crisp highs without distortion.
In direct comparison, the Beats Pill edges out the Emberton II in pure sound quality, particularly when pushed to higher volumes. The Emberton II maintains its composure well but starts to compress at maximum volume, while the Pill stays cleaner. However, the Emberton II's 360-degree sound coverage might be preferable for certain situations, like outdoor gatherings where people are scattered around.
The Marshall Emberton II boasts an impressive 30+ hours of playback time, with a quick-charge feature providing 4 hours of play from just 20 minutes of charging. This is significantly better than the Beats Pill's 24-hour rating. Both charge via USB-C, but the Pill adds the ability to charge other devices - a handy feature when your phone needs a boost.
Both speakers feature IP67 ratings, meaning they're fully protected against dust and can survive submersion in water up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes. This makes them equally suitable for poolside or beach use.
For home theater applications, the Beats Pill's stronger volume output and cleaner high-volume performance make it the better choice as a temporary TV speaker or for watching movies. Its speakerphone capability also adds versatility for home office use.
The Emberton II's longer battery life and 360-degree sound make it particularly well-suited for extended outdoor use. Its more durable-feeling construction also inspires confidence in rough conditions.
Currently, both speakers retail for $99.99, though the Emberton II was originally priced higher at $169.99. At the same price point, the decision comes down to feature priorities rather than value comparison.
Both speakers show significant improvements over their predecessors:
Choose the Marshall Emberton II if:
Choose the Beats Pill if:
Both speakers represent excellent choices in the portable Bluetooth speaker market, but they serve slightly different use cases. The Emberton II excels as a rugged, long-lasting outdoor companion with great sound quality, while the Beats Pill edges ahead in pure audio performance and additional features.
For most users, the decision will come down to intended use case rather than overall quality - both are capable performers that justify their price points. If you're still unsure, consider your typical listening environment and whether features like speakerphone capability or extended battery life would make a meaningful difference in your daily use.
| Marshall Emberton II | Beats Pill |
|---|---|
| Sound Output - Impacts volume and clarity | |
| Two 2" full-range drivers with passive radiators, 360° sound | Redesigned racetrack woofer with enhanced magnets, dedicated tweeter housing |
| Battery Life - Critical for portable use | |
| 30+ hours playback, 20-min quick charge for 4 hours | 24 hours playback, can charge other devices via USB-C |
| Water/Dust Resistance - Important for outdoor use | |
| IP67 rated (fully protected) | IP67 rated (fully protected) |
| Size & Weight - Affects portability | |
| Compact design, 1.5 lbs | 8.6" length, 1.5 lbs |
| Bluetooth Version - Impacts connection quality | |
| Bluetooth 5.1, 30ft range | Bluetooth 5.3, enhanced range with Class 1 |
| Special Features - Adds versatility | |
| Stack Mode for multiple speakers, app with EQ presets | Speakerphone, device charging, Find My support |
| Sound Signature - Affects listening experience | |
| Balanced, rock-oriented profile with strong mids | Enhanced bass response, clearer highs at high volume |
| Multi-Device Support - Convenience feature | |
| Can connect to two devices simultaneously | Quick pairing with iOS/Android, multi-device support |
| Price & Value - Overall investment | |
| $99.99 (reduced from $169.99) | $99.99 (newer release) |
| Best Use Case - Helps match to needs | |
| Outdoor activities, extended use without charging | Indoor/outdoor use, larger spaces, multi-purpose |
The Beats Pill is generally better for home theater use due to its superior volume output and clearer sound at higher volumes. While the Marshall Emberton II offers good sound quality, its 360-degree audio design is less optimal for directional TV audio.
The Marshall Emberton II offers superior battery life with 30+ hours of playback, compared to the Beats Pill's 24 hours. For extended viewing sessions or outdoor movie nights, the Emberton II has a clear advantage.
While neither is a true soundbar replacement, the Beats Pill performs better in this role due to its forward-firing speakers and clearer dialogue reproduction. The Marshall Emberton II's 360-degree sound isn't ideal for TV audio.
The Beats Pill edges out the Marshall Emberton II in overall sound quality, particularly at higher volumes. It offers clearer highs and stronger bass, making it better for both music and movie soundtracks.
Both the Marshall Emberton II and Beats Pill feature IP67 water resistance ratings, making them equally suitable for outdoor movie nights or poolside use.
The Beats Pill performs better in larger spaces due to its higher maximum volume and clearer sound at higher volumes compared to the Marshall Emberton II.
Both speakers offer multi-speaker connectivity. The Marshall Emberton II has Stack Mode, while the Beats Pill offers both Amplify Mode and Stereo Mode for true left/right channel separation.
Both the Marshall Emberton II and Beats Pill are equally durable with IP67 ratings, though the Emberton II's more traditional design may better withstand drops and impacts.
At $99.99 each, both speakers offer good value, but the Beats Pill includes more features like speakerphone and device charging, while the Marshall Emberton II excels in battery life.
Neither speaker is designed for true surround sound, though the Beats Pill's Stereo Mode allows for basic left/right channel separation when using two speakers. The Marshall Emberton II focuses on 360-degree sound.
The Beats Pill is superior for movie watching due to its clearer dialogue reproduction and stronger bass response compared to the Marshall Emberton II. It's also better at projecting sound directionally toward viewers.
Both speakers work well with projectors for portable movie setups. The Beats Pill offers better sound quality for movies, while the Marshall Emberton II's longer battery life is beneficial for extended viewing sessions.
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 - bestbuy.com - staples.com - connection.com - otza.com - target.com - quill.com - jumpplus.com - beatsbydre.com - apple.com - bhphotovideo.com - beatsbydre.com - vipoutlet.com
