When it comes to portable audio in 2024, two speakers have been generating serious buzz: the Marshall Emberton III ($169) and the Beats Pill ($99). Both launched in late 2023, bringing fresh features to the portable speaker market. Let's dive into everything you need to know to make the right choice.
Portable speakers have come a long way from the tinny, battery-hungry units of years past. Today's models offer impressive sound quality, extended battery life, and serious durability. The key features buyers should consider are sound quality, battery longevity, water resistance, and connectivity options.
The technology has matured significantly, with newer Bluetooth 5.3 bringing improved range and stability. We're also seeing advanced features like spatial audio and multi-speaker linking becoming standard. Both our contenders pack this modern tech, but they approach it differently.
The Marshall Emberton III introduces True Stereophonic technology - think surround sound in a portable package. This creates a 360-degree soundstage, meaning you'll get consistent audio quality regardless of where you place the speaker. It's particularly impressive when you're outdoors or moving around a room.
The Beats Pill takes a more traditional approach with forward-firing drivers but adds their signature bass enhancement. While it doesn't offer the same omnidirectional sound, it excels in direct listening scenarios. The speaker angles upward at 20 degrees, cleverly positioning sound toward your ears when placed on a table.
Price often drives purchasing decisions, and there's a clear $70 gap between these units. The Marshall commands a premium with its longer battery life and advanced audio features. The Beats offers solid performance at a more accessible price point, making it an attractive option for casual users.
Battery life has seen significant improvements in recent years. The Marshall leads with an impressive 32-hour runtime - enough for a long weekend of continuous play. Even more impressive is its quick-charge capability: 20 minutes gets you 6 hours of playback.
The Beats delivers a respectable 24 hours, which is plenty for most use cases. Both use modern lithium-ion batteries with efficient power management, but Marshall's implementation clearly edges ahead.
The Marshall's Dynamic Loudness feature deserves special attention. This technology automatically adjusts frequency response based on volume level, ensuring consistent sound quality whether you're playing quietly or at full volume. It's particularly noticeable when listening at lower volumes, where cheaper speakers often sound thin.
Beats employs a redesigned racetrack woofer with enhanced neodymium magnets, delivering 28% more motor force than previous models. This translates to deeper bass without distortion, though it doesn't quite match the Marshall's overall balance at high volumes.
Both speakers feature IP67 ratings, meaning they're dustproof and can handle submersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. This is a significant improvement over earlier models that only offered splash resistance.
The Marshall uses partially recycled plastic in its construction while maintaining a premium feel. The Beats features a soft-touch exterior that's pleasant to handle but may show wear more easily.
While primarily portable, both speakers can serve as decent home audio solutions. The Marshall's 360-degree sound makes it particularly effective in small to medium-sized rooms, while the Beats' directional audio works well for desktop or shelf placement.
Neither will replace a proper home theater setup, but the Marshall's True Stereophonic sound creates an impressive sense of space that works well for casual movie watching.
This is where these speakers' durability features shine. Both handle poolside or beach use with confidence thanks to their water resistance. The Marshall's omnidirectional sound proves particularly valuable outdoors, where listeners often move around the speaker.
The Marshall includes Auracast support (coming via future update), allowing multiple speakers to sync for whole-home audio. The Beats offers its own multi-speaker pairing but lacks the broader Auracast compatibility.
Both support Bluetooth 5.3, providing excellent range and stability. The Marshall adds multi-point connectivity, letting you seamlessly switch between devices - handy for households sharing a speaker.
Both speakers represent significant improvements over their predecessors. The Marshall Emberton III builds on its heritage with meaningful upgrades in sound quality and battery life, while the Beats Pill delivers solid performance at a more accessible price point.
For pure audio quality and feature set, the Marshall is the clear winner, but the Beats offers remarkable value for its price. Consider your specific needs and budget when making your choice - either speaker will serve well in its intended role.
Remember, the best speaker is the one that fits your specific needs and usage patterns. Whether that's the premium features of the Marshall Emberton III or the value-oriented Beats Pill, both represent solid choices in today's portable speaker market.
| Marshall Emberton III ($169) | Beats Pill ($99) |
|---|---|
| Battery Life - Critical for extended portable use | |
| 32 hours, 6-hour quick charge in 20 mins | 24 hours, standard charging |
| Sound Technology - Impacts listening experience and versatility | |
| True Stereophonic 360° sound with Dynamic Loudness | Directional sound with enhanced bass response |
| Water/Dust Protection - Important for outdoor use | |
| IP67 rated (waterproof up to 30 mins) | IP67 rated (waterproof up to 30 mins) |
| Size & Weight - Affects portability | |
| 6.3" x 2.7" x 3", 1.5 lbs | 8.6" x 2.8" x 2.8", 1.5 lbs |
| Bluetooth Version - Impacts connection quality | |
| 5.3 LE with Auracast support (future update) | 5.3 standard |
| Speaker Configuration - Determines sound quality | |
| 2x 2" full-range drivers + 2 passive radiators | Custom racetrack woofer with enhanced magnets |
| Frequency Response - Shows audio range capability | |
| 65-20,000 Hz | Not specified by manufacturer |
| Extra Features - Adds functionality | |
| Multi-point connectivity, EQ app control, built-in mic | Phone charging capability, Find My Device support |
| Construction - Affects durability | |
| PVC-free, partially recycled materials | Soft-touch silicone exterior |
| Multi-Speaker Support - Expands use cases | |
| Auracast support coming via update | Basic stereo pairing only |
The Marshall Emberton III ($169) is better suited for home theater use due to its True Stereophonic 360° sound technology and Dynamic Loudness feature. While neither speaker is a replacement for dedicated home theater speakers, the Marshall's room-filling capabilities make it more effective for casual movie watching compared to the Beats Pill ($99).
The Marshall Emberton III offers superior battery life with 32 hours of playback, compared to 24 hours for the Beats Pill. The Marshall also features quick charging, providing 6 hours of playback from just 20 minutes of charging.
Yes, both speakers feature IP67 water and dust resistance ratings, making them suitable for outdoor use. They can withstand submersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes and are protected against dust.
The Marshall Emberton III generally offers better overall sound quality with its 360° audio distribution and Dynamic Loudness feature. The Beats Pill provides stronger bass response but doesn't maintain the same audio clarity at higher volumes.
The Marshall Emberton III costs $169, while the Beats Pill is priced at $99, representing a $70 difference. The price premium for the Marshall reflects its additional features and longer battery life.
The Marshall Emberton III will support Auracast for multi-speaker connectivity via a future update. The Beats Pill offers basic stereo pairing with another Beats Pill speaker.
Both speakers weigh 1.5 pounds, but the Beats Pill is slightly longer while the Marshall Emberton III has a more compact, squared design. Both are easily portable with included carrying options.
Yes, both speakers are compatible with any Bluetooth-enabled device, including both iOS and Android devices. They use Bluetooth 5.3 for reliable connectivity.
While neither is designed specifically for home theater use, the Marshall Emberton III performs better for movie watching due to its 360° sound distribution. The Beats Pill works adequately but offers more directional sound.
Both speakers feature identical IP67 ratings and robust construction. The Marshall Emberton III uses partially recycled materials, while the Beats Pill features a soft-touch exterior. Both are equally durable for everyday use.
Both speakers include built-in microphones and can be used for calls, but they're primarily designed for music playback. Call quality is adequate for casual use on both models.
If you're specifically looking for home theater use, the Marshall Emberton III is the better choice due to its room-filling sound and Dynamic Loudness feature. However, for a dedicated home theater setup, we'd recommend considering proper home theater speakers instead of portable Bluetooth speakers like the Beats Pill.
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 - bgr.com - androidcentral.com - crutchfield.com - goodhousekeeping.com - bhphotovideo.com - youtube.com - youtube.com - timesofindia.indiatimes.com - bestbuy.com - group.marshall.com - bestbuy.com - staples.com - connection.com - otza.com - target.com - quill.com - jumpplus.com - beatsbydre.com - apple.com - bhphotovideo.com - beatsbydre.com - vipoutlet.com
