When it comes to portable Bluetooth speakers, there's no shortage of options on the market. Today, we're comparing two popular choices: the Marshall Willen II ($119.99) and the JBL Flip 5 ($79.99). Both speakers aim to deliver quality sound in a portable package, but they take different approaches to achieve this goal.
Portable Bluetooth speakers have evolved significantly over the past few years. What started as simple wireless alternatives to wired speakers has grown into a sophisticated product category with features like water resistance, multi-speaker pairing, and impressive battery life. The key factors that matter most to users include:
The JBL Flip 5 was released in 2019, marking a significant upgrade from its predecessor with a new racetrack-shaped driver design and USB-C charging. The Marshall Willen II is much newer, released as an update to the original Willen from 2022. This timing difference is evident in their technical specifications - particularly in their Bluetooth versions (5.3 for the Willen II vs 4.2 for the Flip 5).
The Willen II's compact square design (4" x 4" x 2") makes it notably more portable than the Flip 5's cylindrical shape (7.12" x 2.91" x 2.71"). This size difference has real-world implications:
From my experience testing both, the Willen II's size advantage makes it much more likely to be carried daily, while the Flip 5 often gets relegated to "planned use" scenarios.
Sound quality differences between these speakers reflect their design philosophies:
The technical specifications tell an interesting story: while the Flip 5 has higher power output and can reach lower frequencies, the Willen II's newer design focuses on clarity and balance. In real-world testing, the Flip 5 performs better in outdoor spaces and larger rooms, while the Willen II excels in personal listening scenarios.
Battery life has seen significant improvements in recent years, and both speakers reflect this:
The Willen II's newer design shows in its more efficient battery usage, providing 5 more hours of playback from a similar battery capacity. Both speakers feature fast charging, though the Willen II's implementation is more advanced, offering 3 hours of playback from just 20 minutes of charging.
Both speakers offer water resistance, but with different ratings:
The Willen II's complete dust protection makes it more suitable for beach use or dusty environments. Both can handle submersion in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes, but I've found the Willen II's additional dust protection makes it more versatile for outdoor adventures.
The technological gap between these speakers is most apparent in their connectivity options:
The newer Bluetooth 5.3 in the Willen II provides better range and stability, while consuming less power. However, the Flip 5's PartyBoost feature is well-established and works reliably with other JBL speakers.
At $119.99, the Marshall Willen II commands a premium over the $79.99 JBL Flip 5. This $40 difference needs to be justified by:
For many users, the Flip 5's lower price point and proven track record make it the better value, especially if maximum volume is a priority.
The choice between these speakers comes down to your primary use case:
Choose the Marshall Willen II if:
Choose the JBL Flip 5 if:
Both speakers represent different approaches to portable audio. The Willen II showcases newer technology and better portability, while the Flip 5 offers proven performance and better value. Your choice should align with your specific needs and use cases rather than just specifications alone.
Remember that both speakers are excellent choices in their respective price ranges - it's more about matching the right speaker to your specific needs than declaring an overall winner. Consider your typical usage scenarios, budget, and whether the extra features of the Willen II justify its higher price point for your situation.
| Marshall Willen II | JBL Flip 5 |
|---|---|
| Price - Initial Investment | |
| $119.99 (Premium pricing) | $79.99 (Better value proposition) |
| Size - Impacts portability and ease of carry | |
| 4" x 4" x 2" (Highly portable) | 7.12" x 2.91" x 2.71" (Medium-sized) |
| Power Output - Affects maximum volume and sound presence | |
| 10W (Sufficient for personal listening) | 20W (Better for group settings) |
| Battery Life - Determines time between charges | |
| 17 hours (Industry-leading) | 12 hours (Standard duration) |
| Water/Dust Protection - Important for outdoor use | |
| IP67 (Fully dustproof and waterproof) | IPX7 (Waterproof only) |
| Bluetooth Version - Impacts connection quality and range | |
| 5.3 (Latest technology, better range) | 4.2 (Older but reliable) |
| Multi-Speaker Features - Enables expanded sound setup | |
| Future Auracast support | PartyBoost (current functionality) |
| Driver Configuration - Determines sound quality | |
| 2" full-range driver + dual passive radiators | Single racetrack-shaped driver |
| Frequency Response - Shows bass capability | |
| 75-20,000 Hz (Less deep bass) | 65-20,000 Hz (Better bass extension) |
| Additional Features - Adds functionality | |
| App with EQ, quick charge, multi-point connection | PartyBoost, USB-C charging |
| Weight - Affects true portability | |
| 0.79 lbs (More portable) | 1.2 lbs (Slightly heavier) |
Both speakers can function as auxiliary home theater speakers, but the JBL Flip 5 is better suited due to its higher 20W output power and stronger bass response. The Marshall Willen II is designed more for portable use rather than home theater applications.
The Marshall Willen II costs $119.99, while the JBL Flip 5 is priced at $79.99. The $40 difference reflects newer technology in the Willen II, though the Flip 5 offers better value for most users.
The Marshall Willen II offers 17 hours of playback, compared to 12 hours for the JBL Flip 5. Both charge via USB-C, but the Willen II has faster quick-charging capabilities.
Yes, both speakers are waterproof. The Marshall Willen II has IP67 rating (dust and water protection), while the JBL Flip 5 has IPX7 rating (water protection only). Both can handle rain and poolside use safely.
The Marshall Willen II is significantly more portable at 4" square compared to the larger JBL Flip 5. The Willen II is also lighter at 0.79 lbs versus the Flip 5's 1.2 lbs.
The JBL Flip 5 has PartyBoost for immediate pairing with other JBL speakers. The Marshall Willen II will support Auracast multi-speaker pairing through a future update.
The JBL Flip 5 produces louder sound with stronger bass, while the Marshall Willen II offers clearer mids and highs. For pure volume and bass, the Flip 5 wins, but the Willen II provides better balanced audio.
Both speakers can connect to smart TVs via Bluetooth. The Marshall Willen II has newer Bluetooth 5.3 for better range and stability, while the JBL Flip 5 uses Bluetooth 4.2.
The JBL Flip 5 is better for movies due to its stronger bass response and higher volume output, making it more suitable for dialog and sound effects compared to the Marshall Willen II.
Neither speaker is designed for dedicated surround sound use. However, the JBL Flip 5 can be paired with other JBL speakers for a wider soundstage, making it more suitable than the Marshall Willen II for this purpose.
The Marshall Willen II offers a companion app with EQ controls and firmware updates. The JBL Flip 5 doesn't have dedicated app support.
The JBL Flip 5 offers better value at $79.99 for general use. The Marshall Willen II at $119.99 is worth it if you specifically need its portability and newer features. Both remain competitive in their respective price ranges.
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 - whathifi.com - seriousinsights.net - youtube.com - youtube.com - harmanaudio.com - cdwg.com - gzhls.at - kh.jbl.com - support.jbl.com - mm.jbl.com - bestbuy.com - soundguys.com
