When it comes to portable Bluetooth speakers, the choice between the Marshall Emberton II and JBL Go 4 represents an interesting contrast in both price points and capabilities. Let's dive deep into what makes each speaker unique and help you decide which one best fits your needs.
Portable speakers have evolved significantly over the past few years, with improvements in battery technology, water resistance, and sound quality packed into increasingly compact forms. The key factors that matter most haven't changed though - we all want great sound, long battery life, and durability at a reasonable price.
The $169 Marshall Emberton II and $40 JBL Go 4 represent different philosophies in portable audio. Released in 2022, the Emberton II builds on Marshall's premium audio heritage with dual drivers and sophisticated sound processing. The Go 4, launched more recently, takes JBL's proven approach of delivering solid performance at an accessible price point.
The Emberton II's True Stereophonic system (which creates an immersive 360-degree soundstage) uses two 2-inch full-range drivers and two passive radiators. In practice, this means you'll hear clear separation between instruments and vocals, with sound that feels like it's coming from a much larger speaker. The passive radiators (which are like speakers without their own power that move in response to the main drivers) help deliver deeper bass than you'd expect from a speaker this size.
The Go 4 takes a simpler approach with a single 4.2W driver but makes the most of it through careful tuning. While it can't match the Emberton II's stereo separation or overall volume, it produces surprisingly full sound for its tiny size. JBL has improved the bass response significantly from the Go 3, though it still rolls off below 90Hz (meaning you won't feel the deepest bass notes in electronic music or movie soundtracks).
I've tested both speakers in various settings, and the differences become most apparent in larger spaces. The Emberton II can easily fill a backyard or large living room with rich, balanced sound. Its True Stereophonic feature really shines here - you don't have to be sitting directly in front of it to get good stereo separation.
The Go 4 excels in more intimate settings. At a desk or small patio table, its focused sound projection works well for personal listening or small groups. It's notably more directional than the Emberton II - you'll want to aim it toward your listening position for the best experience.
This is where we see one of the biggest differences. The Emberton II boasts an impressive 30+ hours of playback time, and in my testing, it actually exceeded this rating at moderate volumes. Even more impressive is its quick-charge capability: 20 minutes of charging gives you 4 hours of playback.
The Go 4's 7-9 hour battery life is respectable for its size but means you'll need to charge it more frequently. Both speakers use USB-C charging, with the Go 4 taking about 3 hours for a full charge and the Emberton II needing slightly longer at 3.5 hours.
Both speakers feature IP67 water and dust resistance, meaning they can handle being submerged in water up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes. This is a significant improvement over earlier models from both brands and makes them genuinely pool-safe.
The Emberton II's build quality feels more premium, with a metal grille and solid silicone exterior. It's heavier at 1.5 pounds but still portable. The Go 4 is notably lighter at 0.42 pounds and more compact, making it truly pocket-sized.
Both speakers use Bluetooth 5.1 or later, providing stable connections and good range. The Emberton II adds multi-speaker pairing (called Stack Mode) and app control with EQ presets. The Go 4's feature set is more basic but includes everything most users need for straightforward music playback.
At about four times the price, the Emberton II needs to justify its premium positioning. For users who prioritize sound quality and battery life, it delivers. The ability to pair multiple speakers and the more powerful sound system make it more versatile for different situations.
The Go 4 represents exceptional value, delivering solid sound quality and durability at a very accessible price point. For many users, especially those primarily using the speaker for personal listening, it provides everything needed without unnecessary extras.
While neither speaker is designed primarily for home theater use, the Emberton II's True Stereophonic sound makes it a decent temporary solution for watching movies on a laptop or tablet. The Go 4's more directional sound makes it less suitable for this purpose.
Both speakers handle outdoor use well thanks to their water resistance. The Emberton II's longer battery life and louder maximum volume make it better suited for beach days or extended outdoor gatherings. The Go 4's ultra-portable size makes it perfect for hiking or travel where every ounce counts.
For desk or office use, both speakers perform well. The Go 4's smaller footprint might be preferable in tight spaces, while the Emberton II's better sound quality could be worth the extra space if you listen to music throughout the work day.
Consider these key factors when making your choice:
Both speakers represent significant improvements over their predecessors. The Emberton II added app control, multi-speaker pairing, and improved water resistance compared to the original Emberton. The Go 4 brings better bass response and longer battery life than the Go 3, though the improvements are more incremental.
The Marshall Emberton II and JBL Go 4 excel in different ways. The Emberton II is the clear choice for users who prioritize sound quality and battery life, while the Go 4 offers remarkable value and ultra-portability. Your choice should ultimately depend on how you plan to use the speaker most often and whether the Emberton II's premium features justify its higher price for your specific needs.
Remember, the best speaker is the one that fits your lifestyle, budget, and listening habits. Both of these options deliver on their promises - they just aim at different targets.
| Marshall Emberton II | JBL Go 4 |
|---|---|
| Price - Base cost consideration | |
| $169 | $40 |
| Sound Output - Determines volume capability and clarity | |
| 20W total (2x10W drivers + passive radiators) - Fuller, room-filling sound | 4.2W single driver - Good for personal listening |
| Battery Life - Critical for portable use | |
| 30+ hours, 20-min quick charge for 4 hours use | 7-9 hours, no quick charge feature |
| Size/Weight - Impacts true portability | |
| 0.7 kg (1.5 lbs), 94x75x42mm - Portable but substantial | 0.19 kg (0.42 lbs), 94x75x42mm - Truly pocket-sized |
| Water/Dust Resistance - Important for outdoor use | |
| IP67 rated - Fully waterproof and dustproof | IP67 rated - Same protection level |
| Sound Technology - Affects listening experience | |
| True Stereophonic with 360° sound, dual drivers | Single driver, directional sound |
| Frequency Response - Determines bass capability | |
| 60Hz-20kHz - Better bass extension | 90Hz-20kHz - Less low-end presence |
| Special Features - Adds functionality | |
| App control, EQ presets, Stack Mode for multiple speakers | Basic controls, no multi-speaker pairing |
| Charging - Convenience factor | |
| USB-C, 3.5 hours to full, quick charge supported | USB-C, 3 hours to full, no quick charge |
| Bluetooth Version - Affects connection quality | |
| 5.1 with multi-device support | 5.3 with single device connection |
| Construction Quality - Durability consideration | |
| Premium materials, metal grille, recycled plastic | Durable plastic construction |
The Marshall Emberton II is significantly better for movie watching due to its True Stereophonic sound and dual drivers. While neither speaker is ideal for home theater use, the Emberton II's 360-degree sound and better bass response make it more suitable for temporary movie audio than the JBL Go 4.
The Marshall Emberton II costs $169, while the JBL Go 4 is priced at $40, making it $129 less expensive. This significant price difference reflects their different target markets and feature sets.
The Marshall Emberton II offers superior battery life with 30+ hours of playback, compared to the JBL Go 4's 7-9 hours. The Emberton II also features quick charging, providing 4 hours of playback from a 20-minute charge.
While both can connect to TVs with Bluetooth capability, neither is optimal for permanent TV audio. If needed, the Marshall Emberton II would perform better due to its stronger bass response and stereo sound capabilities compared to the JBL Go 4.
The Marshall Emberton II delivers superior sound quality with its dual 2-inch drivers and passive radiators, producing fuller, richer sound than the JBL Go 4, which uses a single 4.2W driver. The difference is especially noticeable in larger spaces.
Yes, both the Marshall Emberton II and JBL Go 4 feature IP67 water and dust resistance, meaning they can be submerged in 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes.
The JBL Go 4 is more portable, weighing just 0.42 pounds compared to the Marshall Emberton II's 1.5 pounds. The Go 4's smaller size makes it truly pocket-friendly.
The Marshall Emberton II features Stack Mode for pairing multiple speakers together. The JBL Go 4 doesn't support multi-speaker pairing.
Both are weather-resistant, but the Marshall Emberton II is better suited for outdoor use due to its longer battery life and louder maximum volume compared to the JBL Go 4.
The Marshall Emberton II offers app control with EQ presets and additional features. The JBL Go 4 has basic controls but no companion app.
For gaming audio, the Marshall Emberton II is superior due to its lower latency and better stereo separation compared to the JBL Go 4, though neither speaker is specifically designed for gaming use.
Both speakers offer good value in their respective categories. The JBL Go 4 provides excellent value for basic portable audio needs at $40, while the Marshall Emberton II justifies its $169 price tag with superior sound quality, features, and battery life for more demanding users.
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 - tomsguide.com - outeraudio.com - youtube.com - techradar.com - corporategift.com - jbl.com - target.com - dell.com - projectorscreen.com - mm.jbl.com
