When it comes to portable audio, we've come a long way from the boombox era. Today's compact Bluetooth speakers pack impressive sound into incredibly portable packages. The Marshall Willen II ($119) and Bose SoundLink Micro ($99) represent two different approaches to solving the portable audio challenge.
These speakers aim to deliver quality sound while being small enough to take anywhere. But their different design philosophies and feature sets make them better suited for different users. Let's dive into how they compare and who should choose each one.
The Marshall Willen II represents the newer technology, released in 2023 with Bluetooth 5.3 Low Energy (LE). This latest Bluetooth version offers better range (up to 100 meters in open space) and improved battery efficiency compared to older versions. It also supports Auracast, a new feature that will allow broadcasting to multiple speakers simultaneously - though this capability isn't yet activated.
The Bose SoundLink Micro uses older Bluetooth 4.2 technology, with a standard 30-foot range. While this is perfectly adequate for most uses, it lacks some newer conveniences like quick pairing and better battery management.
The Willen II uses a 2-inch full-range driver paired with two passive radiators (these are unpowered speakers that move in response to air pressure, helping produce deeper bass). The speaker delivers 10 watts of power through a Class D amplifier - a highly efficient design that helps achieve its impressive battery life.
What's particularly interesting is the frequency response range of 75-20,000 Hz. This means it can reproduce most musical frequencies humans can hear, though it doesn't reach the deepest bass notes (which start around 20 Hz). In practice, this translates to clear mids and highs with respectable but not overwhelming bass.
Bose takes a different approach, using a custom-designed transducer (another term for speaker driver) optimized for maximum bass output from a small enclosure. While Bose doesn't publish detailed specifications, testing shows it emphasizes low frequencies more than the Marshall, sometimes at the expense of clarity in complex recordings.
This is perhaps the most significant difference between these speakers. The Marshall Willen II delivers an impressive 17+ hours of playback time, while the Bose SoundLink Micro manages just 6 hours.
The Marshall also includes quick-charging capability - 20 minutes of charging provides 5.5 hours of playback. This is particularly useful if you forget to charge before heading out. The Bose uses older Micro USB charging technology and takes about 4 hours for a full charge.
Both speakers feature IP67 water and dust resistance ratings. This means they can be:
The Marshall feels more premium with its metal grille and robust construction, while the Bose uses high-quality plastics and silicone. Both feel solid and durable, though the Marshall's additional weight (0.79 lb vs 0.68 lb) contributes to a more substantial feel.
Having tested both speakers in various environments, here's how they perform in specific scenarios:
The $20 price difference between these speakers seems minimal given their feature sets. The Marshall Willen II offers significantly more battery life and newer technology for just a bit more money. However, if you're primarily using the speaker for short periods and want to save some money, the Bose SoundLink Micro remains a solid choice.
Consider these questions when making your choice:
Both speakers excel at their core function - providing portable sound in a compact package. The Marshall Willen II is the more capable device overall, with better battery life, sound quality, and technology. The Bose SoundLink Micro remains competitive through its slightly lower price and emphasis on bass response.
For most users, I'd recommend the Marshall Willen II. The additional features and battery life justify the slightly higher price, and the newer technology means it will likely stay relevant longer. However, if you're primarily using it for short periods and prefer bass-heavy music, the Bose SoundLink Micro remains a solid choice at a slightly lower price point.
| Marshall Willen II | Bose SoundLink Micro |
|---|---|
| Price - Initial Investment | |
| $119 (higher but more features) | $99 (better value if battery life not priority) |
| Battery Life - Critical for portable use | |
| 17+ hours, 20-min quick charge = 5.5 hours | 6 hours, no quick charge feature |
| Size & Weight - Impacts portability | |
| 4" x 4" x 1.7", 0.79 lb | 3.9" x 3.9" x 1.4", 0.68 lb |
| Audio Specs - Determines sound quality | |
| 2" driver + dual passive radiators, 10W power | Single custom transducer, power not specified |
| Bluetooth Version - Affects range and stability | |
| 5.3 LE (100m range, future Auracast support) | 4.2 (30m range, older technology) |
| Water/Dust Resistance - Important for outdoor use | |
| IP67 (identical protection level) | IP67 (identical protection level) |
| Sound Customization - Flexibility for different uses | |
| App with EQ settings, Stack Mode support | Fixed EQ, Party Mode for multiple speakers |
| Frequency Response - Defines sound range capability | |
| 75-20,000 Hz (balanced, clearer mids) | Not specified (emphasized bass response) |
| Charging Port - Affects convenience | |
| USB-C (modern standard) | Micro USB (older standard) |
| Additional Features - Extra functionality | |
| Built-in strap, quick charge, customizable EQ | Built-in strap, speakerphone, voice assistant |
| Maximum Volume - Important for outdoor use | |
| 88 dB @ 1m (louder max volume) | 85 dB @ 1m (adequate for personal use) |
| Construction - Affects durability | |
| Metal grille, premium materials | Plastic and silicone construction |
The Marshall Willen II ($119) is generally better than the Bose SoundLink Micro ($99) due to its longer battery life (17 hours vs 6 hours), better sound quality at higher volumes, and newer Bluetooth technology. However, the Bose is slightly smaller and less expensive.
Both speakers can connect to smart TVs via Bluetooth, but neither is ideal for home theater use. The Marshall Willen II offers better range and connectivity stability, making it a better choice if you plan to use it occasionally as a supplementary TV speaker.
The Marshall Willen II offers more balanced sound with clearer mids and highs, plus customizable EQ settings. The Bose SoundLink Micro emphasizes bass more but can distort at higher volumes.
The Marshall Willen II lasts up to 17 hours, while the Bose SoundLink Micro only lasts 6 hours. The Marshall also features quick charging, providing 5.5 hours of playback from a 20-minute charge.
Yes, both the Marshall Willen II and Bose SoundLink Micro have IP67 ratings, meaning they can be submerged in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes and are fully dustproof.
The Bose SoundLink Micro is slightly smaller and lighter (0.68 lb vs 0.79 lb), but the difference is minimal. Both speakers include straps for easy attachment to bags or bikes.
Yes, both models support multi-speaker connections. The Marshall Willen II uses Stack Mode, while the Bose SoundLink Micro offers Party Mode and stereo pairing through its app.
The Marshall Willen II uses newer Bluetooth 5.3 technology with up to 100m range, while the Bose SoundLink Micro uses Bluetooth 4.2 with about 30m range.
The Marshall Willen II is better for outdoor movie viewing due to its longer battery life and louder maximum volume. However, neither speaker is ideal as a primary movie audio source.
Both speakers are equally durable with IP67 ratings, but the Marshall Willen II feels more premium with its metal grille construction compared to the Bose SoundLink Micro's plastic build.
Both speakers have built-in microphones for calls. The Bose SoundLink Micro is known for better call quality, while the Marshall Willen II offers adequate performance for occasional use.
The $20 premium for the Marshall Willen II is worth it for most users, offering significantly better battery life, newer technology, and better sound quality compared to the Bose SoundLink Micro. However, if budget is your primary concern, the Bose remains a solid choice.
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: whatsthebest.co.uk - youtube.com - crutchfield.com - goodhousekeeping.com - abt.com - bestbuy.com - theaudio.co - store.moma.org - av-connection.com - rtings.com - electronicexpress.com - rtings.com - mygolfspy.com - youtube.com - cnet.com - bose.com - bose.com - alwayswander.info - target.com - bose.com - bose.com
