When you're looking for a speaker that can go anywhere, the ultra-portable Bluetooth speaker category offers some compelling choices. Today we're comparing two popular options: the premium Marshall Willen II ($119.99) and the value-focused JBL Clip 4 ($49.99). Let's dive into what makes each unique and help you decide which better suits your needs.
The portable speaker market has come a long way in the last few years. Both of these speakers represent the latest iterations of their respective lines, with significant improvements in durability, sound quality, and battery life over previous generations.
The Willen II, released in early 2023, brought notable improvements over the original Willen, including enhanced bass response, longer battery life, and future-proofed features like Auracast support (a new technology that will allow broadcasting to multiple compatible speakers). The Clip 4, launched in late 2020, refined JBL's proven portable design with improved durability and sound quality over the Clip 3.
Sound quality is where these speakers show their biggest differences, and it's directly related to their technical design choices. The Marshall Willen II employs a 2-inch full-range driver powered by a 10-watt amplifier, complemented by two passive radiators (unpowered speakers that move in response to air pressure, enhancing bass response). This configuration delivers surprisingly full sound for its size, with particular strength in the mid-range frequencies where most musical instruments and vocals live.
The JBL Clip 4 takes a simpler approach with a single 5-watt driver. While it can't match the Willen II's volume or bass response, it produces clear, balanced audio that works well for podcasts, audiobooks, and casual music listening. The sound signature is tuned for vocal clarity, which makes sense given its likely use cases.
In real-world testing, the Willen II shows its advantage with:
However, the Clip 4 holds its own for its size and price point, particularly excelling at:
Battery technology has seen significant improvements in recent years, and both speakers benefit from this. The Willen II leads with:
The Clip 4 offers:
While both use efficient Class D amplifiers (which generate less heat and use less power than traditional amplifiers), the Willen II's larger battery capacity gives it a clear advantage for extended use.
Both speakers feature robust build quality and impressive water resistance:
The Willen II offers:
The Clip 4 provides:
The IP67 rating means both speakers can handle submersion in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes, making them equally suitable for poolside or outdoor use.
This is where the price difference becomes more apparent. The Marshall Willen II includes:
The JBL Clip 4 keeps it simple with:
Having tested both speakers in various situations, here's how they perform in specific scenarios:
Both perform admirably thanks to their water resistance, but the Willen II's extra volume helps overcome wind and ambient noise
Both are travel-friendly, but the Clip 4's smaller size and integrated carabiner make it slightly more convenient for packing and mounting
The price difference between these speakers is significant, but so are the feature sets. The Marshall Willen II justifies its premium price with:
The JBL Clip 4 delivers exceptional value through:
Your choice between these speakers should depend on your primary use case and budget:
Choose the Marshall Willen II if:
Choose the JBL Clip 4 if:
Both speakers excel in their respective categories - the Willen II as a premium portable speaker with superior audio quality, and the Clip 4 as a versatile, value-focused option for casual listening. Your choice ultimately comes down to how you'll use it and what you're willing to spend.
Remember that while the Marshall Willen II offers more features and better sound, the JBL Clip 4 delivers most of what most users need at less than half the price. Consider your specific needs and choose accordingly.
| Marshall Willen II | JBL Clip 4 |
|---|---|
| Price - Base investment required | |
| $119.99 (premium pricing) | $49.99 (budget-friendly) |
| Power Output - Affects maximum volume and sound quality | |
| 10W amplifier with dual passive radiators | 5W single driver |
| Battery Life - Critical for portable use | |
| 17+ hours with quick charge (5.5 hours from 20 min charge) | 10 hours, no quick charge |
| Size & Weight - Impacts portability | |
| 4" x 4" x 1.7", 0.79 lbs | 3.4" x 5.3" x 1.8", 0.53 lbs |
| Durability Rating - Protection from elements | |
| IP67 (waterproof/dustproof) | IP67 (waterproof/dustproof) |
| Mounting System - How you can carry/attach it | |
| Rubber strap (less secure but versatile) | Integrated carabiner (very secure) |
| Bluetooth Version - Affects range and stability | |
| 5.3 with extended range (up to 100m) | 5.1 with standard range (30m) |
| Smart Features - Added functionality | |
| App control, EQ settings, multi-speaker pairing, Auracast ready | Basic controls only, no app or pairing features |
| Frequency Response - Range of sounds produced | |
| 75-20,000 Hz (better bass extension) | 100-20,000 Hz (less low-end) |
| Charging Port - Convenience factor | |
| USB-C with fast charging | USB-C standard charging |
| Color Options - Aesthetic choices | |
| Black, Cream, Brown | Multiple colors including Black, Blue, Red, Grey |
| Extra Features - Additional value | |
| Marshall app support, multi-function control knob, Stack Mode | Simple button controls, more compact design |
The Marshall Willen II is better for movie watching due to its superior bass response and 10W power output. While neither speaker is ideal for home theater use, the Willen II's dual passive radiators provide fuller sound for dialogue and effects.
The Marshall Willen II costs $119.99, while the JBL Clip 4 is priced at $49.99, making it less than half the price. The $70 difference reflects the Willen II's enhanced features and audio quality.
While both can connect to TVs via Bluetooth, neither is ideal as a primary TV speaker. The Marshall Willen II performs better in this role due to its stronger output, but we recommend proper TV soundbars or speakers for home theater use.
The Marshall Willen II offers 17+ hours of playback compared to the JBL Clip 4's 10 hours. The Willen II also features quick charging, providing 5.5 hours of playback from a 20-minute charge.
Yes, both the Marshall Willen II and JBL Clip 4 have IP67 ratings, meaning they're fully waterproof and can be submerged in 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes.
The Marshall Willen II delivers superior sound quality with its 10W amplifier and dual passive radiators, offering fuller bass and clearer mids compared to the JBL Clip 4's 5W single driver system.
The Marshall Willen II can be paired with other Marshall speakers and supports future Auracast technology. The JBL Clip 4 doesn't support speaker pairing.
The JBL Clip 4 is more portable, weighing 0.53 lbs with a built-in carabiner clip. The Marshall Willen II is slightly larger at 0.79 lbs but still highly portable with its rubber strap.
Neither the Marshall Willen II nor the JBL Clip 4 has built-in voice assistant capabilities, though they can play audio from devices using voice assistants.
Both are excellent for outdoor use with their IP67 ratings, but the Marshall Willen II has better volume output and battery life. The JBL Clip 4's carabiner makes it more convenient for activities.
Neither speaker is suitable for surround sound systems. While the Marshall Willen II can pair with other Marshall speakers, proper home theater surround sound requires dedicated surround speakers.
The Marshall Willen II features Bluetooth 5.3 with up to 100m range, while the JBL Clip 4 uses Bluetooth 5.1 with approximately 30m range.
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 - youtube.com - outeraudio.com - jbl.com - rtings.com - youtube.com - jbl.com - harmanaudio.com - youtube.com - ggelectronics.com - greentoe.com - soundstagexperience.com
