If you're in the market for a high-quality portable speaker, you've likely encountered the Marshall Emberton III ($169.99) and JBL Flip 6 ($99.99). These speakers represent two different approaches to premium portable audio, and choosing between them depends largely on how you plan to use them.
Modern portable speakers have evolved significantly from the tinny, battery-hungry devices of just a few years ago. Today's premium portable speakers deliver impressive sound quality while maintaining excellent battery life and durability. The key advances have been in driver technology (the actual speakers inside), battery efficiency, and wireless connectivity.
The latest models now commonly feature:
The Marshall Emberton III and JBL Flip 6 take different approaches to delivering quality sound. The Emberton III uses Marshall's True Stereophonic technology, which creates a 360-degree soundfield using carefully positioned drivers. This means you don't need to worry about speaker orientation - it sounds great from any angle. The sound signature is rich and warm, with particular attention paid to the mid-range frequencies where most musical instruments live.
The Flip 6 takes a more traditional approach with a front-firing configuration, using a dedicated 1.75" x 3" woofer and 0.6" tweeter. This separation of high and low frequencies allows for precise sound reproduction, though you'll need to point the speaker toward your listening position for the best experience. The Flip 6 can actually play louder than the Emberton III, making it better suited for outdoor gatherings.
In practical terms:
Battery technology has seen significant improvements in recent years, and nowhere is this more evident than in the Emberton III's impressive 32-hour runtime. This is nearly triple the Flip 6's 12-hour battery life. Both support fast charging, but the Emberton III's quick-charge feature is particularly impressive - 20 minutes of charging provides 6 hours of playback.
What this means for real-world use:
Both speakers feature IP67 ratings, meaning they're:
The design philosophies differ significantly:
The technological capabilities of these speakers reflect their different target users:
Marshall Emberton III:
JBL Flip 6:
When considering value, we need to look beyond just the price difference. The Emberton III at $169.99 represents a premium option with superior battery life and refined sound quality. The Flip 6 at $99.99 offers excellent performance and more features for the price.
Consider the following:
In actual use, both speakers perform admirably but shine in different scenarios:
Outdoor Use:
Indoor Use:
Critical Listening:
The choice between these speakers largely depends on your priorities:
Choose the Marshall Emberton III if:
Choose the JBL Flip 6 if:
Both speakers represent significant improvements over their predecessors. The Emberton III builds on the successful Emberton II with improved battery life and future Auracast support. The Flip 6 improves upon the Flip 5 with better dust protection and refined sound quality.
The technology in both speakers showcases how far portable audio has come:
Both the Marshall Emberton III and JBL Flip 6 are excellent speakers that serve different user needs. The Emberton III is the better overall speaker with superior sound quality and battery life, but it comes at a significant price premium. The Flip 6 offers tremendous value with very good sound quality and more features for social listening scenarios.
Your choice should ultimately depend on how you plan to use the speaker and whether the Emberton III's premium features justify its higher price tag. Either way, both represent the current state of the art in portable Bluetooth speakers and will serve well in their intended use cases.
| Marshall Emberton III ($169.99) | JBL Flip 6 ($99.99) |
|---|---|
| Sound Output - Determines overall audio quality and volume capability | |
| 2x 2" full-range drivers, warmer sound signature, 360° coverage | 1.75" x 3" woofer + 0.6" tweeter, clearer highs, directional sound |
| Battery Life - Critical for extended portable use | |
| 32 hours, 20-min quick charge for 6 hours | 12 hours, 2.5 hours for full charge |
| Water/Dust Protection - Important for outdoor use | |
| IP67 rated (waterproof/dustproof) | IP67 rated (waterproof/dustproof) |
| Multi-Speaker Features - Enables expanded sound coverage | |
| Future Auracast support (pending update) | PartyBoost for immediate multi-speaker pairing |
| Sound Customization - Allows tailoring to personal preference | |
| Three preset EQ modes via app | Full graphic EQ control via app |
| Bluetooth Version - Affects connection stability and range | |
| Bluetooth 5.3 LE (latest version) | Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Physical Design - Impacts portability and durability | |
| 1.5 lbs, premium metal grille, no strap | 1.21 lbs, fabric covering, built-in strap |
| Frequency Response - Defines bass capability and overall range | |
| 65-20,000 Hz (deeper bass extension) | 63-20,000 Hz (similar range) |
| Additional Features - Extras that add value | |
| Dynamic Loudness adjustment, 360° sound, faster charging | PartyBoost, dual device connection, USB charging protection |
| Price-Performance Ratio - Value for money | |
| Premium price, superior battery life and build quality | Better value, more features, very good sound quality |
The Marshall Emberton III ($169.99) provides better home theater performance due to its 360-degree sound coverage and richer mid-range, making it ideal for dialog and ambient effects. The JBL Flip 6 ($99.99) is more directional, which can limit its effectiveness as a surround speaker.
The Emberton III justifies its higher price with superior battery life (32 vs 12 hours), better sound quality, and premium build materials. However, the Flip 6 offers 90% of the performance at 60% of the price, making it better value for most users.
The Marshall Emberton III delivers richer, more refined bass, while the JBL Flip 6 offers punchier but less deep bass. For home theater effects, the Emberton III's bass response feels more natural.
Both can connect to TVs via Bluetooth, but neither is ideal as a primary TV speaker due to potential audio lag. The Emberton III works better as a secondary TV speaker due to its wider sound dispersion.
Both the Flip 6 and Emberton III feature IP67 water and dust resistance. The Flip 6's fabric covering may be more prone to wear, while the Emberton III's metal grille offers better long-term durability.
The JBL Flip 6 offers immediate multi-speaker pairing through PartyBoost. The Emberton III will support Auracast in the future but currently doesn't support speaker linking.
The JBL Flip 6 achieves higher maximum volume with less distortion, making it better for large rooms or outdoor use. The Emberton III focuses more on sound quality than maximum volume.
The Emberton III excels with music due to its balanced sound signature and better mid-range. For movies, both perform well, but the Flip 6 can produce louder effects for action scenes.
The Marshall Emberton III significantly outperforms with 32 hours versus the Flip 6's 12 hours. The Emberton III also features faster charging, providing 6 hours of playback from a 20-minute charge.
Neither speaker is designed for mounting, but the JBL Flip 6 includes a built-in strap for hanging. The Emberton III lacks mounting options, limiting placement flexibility.
The JBL Flip 6 offers more extensive app controls including a full graphic EQ. The Emberton III provides basic EQ presets through its app but focuses on simplicity over customization.
While neither is designed specifically for surround sound, the Marshall Emberton III works better as a supplementary speaker due to its 360-degree sound coverage. The Flip 6's directional sound makes it less suitable for surround applications.
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 - techradar.com - phonearena.com - youtube.com - tomsguide.com - outeraudio.com - wcucampusstore.com - jbl.com.sg - pcrichard.com - kh.jbl.com - musicarts.com - jbl.com - cnet.com - youtube.com
