Finding the perfect portable speaker means balancing sound quality, durability, and convenience. The Marshall Emberton II ($99.99) and Bose SoundLink Flex ($119.99) represent two distinct approaches to premium portable audio. Let's dive into what makes each speaker special and help you decide which best fits your needs.
The portable speaker market has evolved significantly in recent years, with manufacturers pushing the boundaries of what's possible in compact form factors. Modern speakers need to deliver robust sound while surviving outdoor adventures and lasting through extended listening sessions.
When the Emberton II launched in May 2022, it brought significant improvements over its predecessor, particularly in battery life and sound projection. The SoundLink Flex similarly represents Bose's latest innovations in portable audio, introducing their PositionIQ technology that automatically optimizes sound based on speaker orientation.
The Emberton II employs True Stereophonic technology, which creates an immersive 360-degree soundstage. This means you'll hear clear stereo separation regardless of where you're positioned relative to the speaker. The speaker uses two 2-inch full-range drivers and two passive radiators to deliver surprisingly powerful bass for its size.
In practice, the Emberton II produces a more energetic, rock-oriented sound signature. The emphasis on dynamic range makes it particularly good for genres like rock, metal, and electronic music where impact matters.
The SoundLink Flex takes a different approach with PositionIQ technology, which adjusts the EQ based on whether the speaker is standing upright, lying flat, or hanging. This adaptive approach ensures consistent sound quality regardless of positioning.
The Flex delivers Bose's characteristic warm, balanced sound signature. While it might not match the Emberton II's maximum volume, it provides clearer vocals and more natural midrange frequencies, making it excellent for podcasts and acoustic music.
Battery technology has seen significant improvements, and nowhere is this more evident than in the Emberton II's impressive 30+ hour battery life - a substantial increase from the original model's 20 hours. It also features quick charging, providing 4 hours of playback from just 20 minutes of charging.
The SoundLink Flex offers 12 hours of playback, which, while respectable, falls notably short of the Emberton II. Both speakers use USB-C charging, reflecting current charging standards.
Both speakers feature IP67 ratings, meaning they're dustproof and can survive submersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. However, they approach durability differently:
The Marshall Emberton II uses:
The Bose SoundLink Flex features:
Having tested both speakers in various settings, here's how they perform in different scenarios:
The Emberton II's higher volume capability makes it better for outdoor gatherings, while its extended battery life means you won't need to worry about recharging during long events. However, the SoundLink Flex's built-in strap and lighter weight make it more convenient for hiking or beach trips.
Both speakers excel indoors, but in different ways. The Emberton II's True Stereophonic sound creates an impressive room-filling effect, while the SoundLink Flex's PositionIQ technology ensures consistent sound quality regardless of placement.
While neither speaker is primarily designed for home theater use, they can serve as temporary solutions. The Emberton II's stereo separation makes it better for movie watching, though both suffer from the typical limitations of single-unit speakers in this context.
The Marshall Emberton II offers exceptional value at $99.99, especially considering its superior battery life and powerful sound. The SoundLink Flex justifies its higher $119.99 price tag through its versatility and smart features like PositionIQ and speakerphone capability.
Choose the Marshall Emberton II if you:
Choose the Bose SoundLink Flex if you:
Both speakers represent excellent choices in the premium portable speaker category, but they serve slightly different use cases. The Emberton II excels as a powerful, long-lasting music companion, while the SoundLink Flex offers superior versatility and portability.
Both speakers showcase how far portable audio has come, with features like water resistance and smart EQ adjustment becoming standard. Future iterations will likely focus on battery technology improvements and even more advanced sound processing capabilities.
The category continues to evolve, with manufacturers pushing the boundaries of what's possible in compact speakers. Whether you choose the Emberton II or SoundLink Flex, you're getting a capable device that represents the current state of portable audio technology.
| Marshall Emberton II | Bose SoundLink Flex |
|---|---|
| Price - Initial investment | |
| $99.99 (Better value for features) | $119.99 (Premium for brand/features) |
| Battery Life - Critical for portable use | |
| 30+ hours (Industry-leading) | 12 hours (Average for category) |
| Audio Technology - Determines sound experience | |
| True Stereophonic with 360° sound | PositionIQ with adaptive EQ |
| Durability Rating - Protection from elements | |
| IP67 (Dust/water resistant to 1m) | IP67 (Dust/water resistant to 1m) |
| Power Output - Impacts volume and clarity | |
| 20W (Two 2" drivers + passive radiators) | Not specified (Single driver design) |
| Charging Speed - Convenience factor | |
| 20min charge = 4hrs playback | Standard USB-C charging |
| Weight - Affects portability | |
| 1.5 lbs (Slightly heavier) | 1.3 lbs (More portable) |
| Special Features - Added functionality | |
| Stack Mode for multiple speakers, app EQ | Built-in speakerphone, position-adaptive sound |
| Bluetooth Version - Connection quality | |
| 5.1 (More stable, better range) | 4.2 (Standard performance) |
| Design Features - Usability considerations | |
| Multi-function control knob, metal grille | Built-in utility loop, powder-coated steel grille |
The Marshall Emberton II performs better for home theater use due to its True Stereophonic 360° sound and superior stereo separation. While neither speaker is ideal as a permanent home theater solution, the Emberton II's more powerful output and wider soundstage make it preferable for temporary movie watching setups.
The Marshall Emberton II offers significantly better battery life with 30+ hours compared to the Bose SoundLink Flex's 12 hours. This makes the Emberton II more suitable for extended viewing sessions without needing to recharge.
Yes, both the Marshall Emberton II and Bose SoundLink Flex have IP67 ratings, meaning they're equally protected against dust and water immersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
The Marshall Emberton II delivers louder overall volume with its 20W output through dual 2-inch drivers, making it better suited for larger rooms or outdoor spaces compared to the SoundLink Flex.
Both speakers can connect to TVs with Bluetooth capability. However, they may experience audio lag when watching videos. The Marshall Emberton II typically has less lag due to its Bluetooth 5.1 connection versus the Flex's 4.2.
At $99.99, the Marshall Emberton II offers better overall value with superior battery life and sound output compared to the SoundLink Flex at $119.99, unless you specifically need the Flex's portability features.
The Marshall Emberton II offers Stack Mode to connect multiple units together, while the Bose SoundLink Flex can only pair with other Bose speakers through the Bose Connect app.
The Marshall Emberton II delivers more dynamic, energetic sound ideal for rock and electronic music, while the SoundLink Flex offers a more balanced, warm sound signature better suited for acoustic and vocal-heavy content.
The Bose SoundLink Flex is more portable with its lighter weight and built-in utility loop, compared to the slightly heavier Marshall Emberton II.
Neither speaker has built-in voice assistants, but both can access your phone's assistant (Siri or Google Assistant) through their control buttons when connected via Bluetooth.
Both are equally weatherproof, but the Marshall Emberton II is better for outdoor gatherings due to its louder volume and longer battery life, while the SoundLink Flex is more convenient for activities like hiking due to its lighter weight and strap.
Neither speaker is designed for dedicated surround sound use. While the Marshall Emberton II offers better stereo separation and can be paired with additional units, traditional home theater speakers would be better for a proper surround sound setup.
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 - bose.com - bose.com - youtube.com - rtings.com - projectorscreen.com - assets.bose.com - boselatam.com - adorama.com - bose.com
