The portable Bluetooth speaker market has evolved significantly in recent years, with manufacturers pushing the boundaries of what's possible in increasingly compact packages. Today, we're comparing two compelling options: the Marshall Willen II ($119.99) and the JBL Flip 6 ($99.99).
Before diving into specifics, let's consider what makes a great portable speaker. The ideal combination includes robust sound quality, reliable battery life, durability for outdoor use, and convenient portability. These factors carry different weights depending on your intended use - whether you're a frequent traveler, outdoor enthusiast, or someone who just wants quality sound around the house.
The Marshall Willen II embodies the classic Marshall aesthetic, featuring their signature styling with a rugged, textured surface and the iconic Marshall logo. Released in late 2023, it represents a significant upgrade over the original Willen, incorporating more sustainable materials - 50% post-consumer recycled plastic - while maintaining the brand's rock-and-roll heritage.
In contrast, the JBL Flip 6, released in 2021, takes a more contemporary approach. Its cylindrical design has become something of a standard in portable speakers, offering excellent sound dispersion and stability. Both speakers feature IP67 water and dust resistance (meaning they can survive submersion in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes), but they take different approaches to durability.
The Willen II's compact size (just 4 inches square) makes it incredibly portable, while the Flip 6's larger footprint (7 inches long) allows for more substantial drivers and better bass response. The Willen II includes a clever rubber strap for mounting, while the Flip 6 relies on its stable cylindrical design to stand upright.
Here's where things get interesting. The Marshall Willen II employs a single 2-inch dynamic driver powered by a 10-watt amplifier, complemented by two passive radiators. Passive radiators are unpowered speakers that move in response to air pressure from the main driver, effectively enhancing bass response without requiring additional power. This setup delivers surprisingly clear sound, particularly in the mid-range frequencies where vocals and many instruments live.
The JBL Flip 6 takes a different approach with its dual-driver system: a racetrack-shaped woofer (for low and mid frequencies) and a dedicated tweeter (for high frequencies), powered by 30 watts total. This configuration allows for better separation between frequency ranges, resulting in clearer overall sound, especially at higher volumes.
In practical terms, the Flip 6 produces noticeably fuller sound with stronger bass, making it better suited for music playback. The Willen II, while still impressive for its size, focuses more on clarity in the mid-range, making it particularly good for podcasts, audiobooks, and acoustic music.
The newer Marshall Willen II shows its technological advancement with up to 17 hours of playback time and impressive quick-charging capabilities - 20 minutes of charging provides 5.5 hours of playback. This represents a significant improvement over both its predecessor and many competitors.
The JBL Flip 6 offers 12 hours of playback, which while still respectable, falls short of the Willen II. Both speakers use USB-C charging, but the Willen II's quick-charge feature gives it a distinct advantage for users who might forget to charge overnight.
Both speakers feature Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity, offering stable connections up to about 30 feet indoors. The Willen II includes Marshall's signature multi-directional control knob, which provides an intuitive way to control playback and volume. It also supports dual device pairing, letting you easily switch between sources.
The Flip 6 includes JBL's PartyBoost feature, allowing you to connect multiple compatible speakers for stereo or multi-speaker playback. While the Willen II doesn't offer this exact feature, it does support "Stack Mode" through the Marshall app, though this feature is currently more limited.
In testing, the size difference between these speakers becomes apparent in specific scenarios. The Willen II excels in situations where space is at a premium - it's perfect for a desk setup, travel bag, or bicycle mount. Its sound quality, while not as full as the Flip 6, is remarkably good for its size.
The Flip 6 shines in small gatherings or outdoor settings where its additional volume and fuller sound make a noticeable difference. It can fill a small to medium-sized room with sound, while the Willen II is better suited for personal listening or small spaces.
At $119.99, the Marshall Willen II commands a premium over the $99.99 JBL Flip 6. This price difference largely reflects the Marshall brand premium and the newer technology incorporated into the Willen II, particularly its superior battery life and quick-charging capabilities.
Consider these key factors when choosing between these speakers:
Both speakers represent excellent options in the portable Bluetooth speaker market, but they serve slightly different needs. The Marshall Willen II excels as an ultra-portable option with premium features and design, while the JBL Flip 6 offers better overall sound quality and value for general use.
For most users, the Flip 6's combination of sound quality and price makes it the better choice. However, if you prioritize ultimate portability, premium design, and the latest features like quick charging, the Willen II's additional cost might be justified.
Remember that both speakers are highly capable devices that will serve well in most situations - the final choice often comes down to personal preferences in design, size, and specific use cases rather than absolute performance metrics.
| Marshall Willen II | JBL Flip 6 |
|---|---|
| Price - Overall investment consideration | |
| $119.99 (Premium pricing) | $99.99 (Better value for features) |
| Power Output - Determines maximum volume and sound clarity | |
| 10W RMS (single driver) | 30W RMS total (20W woofer + 10W tweeter) |
| Battery Life - Critical for portable use | |
| 17+ hours, 20-min quick charge for 5.5 hours | 12 hours, standard charging speed |
| Size - Impacts portability and ease of carrying | |
| 4" x 4" x 1.7" (Ultra-compact) | 7" x 2.6" x 2.8" (Larger but still portable) |
| Weight - Affects true portability | |
| 0.79 lbs (Very lightweight) | 1.21 lbs (Slightly heavier) |
| Driver Configuration - Influences sound quality | |
| Single 2" full-range driver + dual passive radiators | 1.75" x 3" woofer + 0.6" tweeter + dual passive radiators |
| Frequency Response - Range of sound reproduction | |
| 75Hz-20kHz (Less bass extension) | 63Hz-20kHz (Better bass response) |
| Water/Dust Resistance - Durability for outdoor use | |
| IP67 (Fully waterproof) | IP67 (Fully waterproof) |
| Multi-Speaker Pairing - Expandability options | |
| Stack Mode (Limited functionality) | PartyBoost (Stereo or multi-speaker pairing) |
| Bluetooth Version - Connection stability and range | |
| 5.3 with dual device pairing | 5.1 with dual device pairing |
| Special Features - Additional value considerations | |
| Multi-directional control knob, sustainable materials, quick charging | PartyBoost, USB charging protection, better bass response |
The JBL Flip 6 is generally better for home theater use due to its stronger bass response and higher power output (30W vs 10W). While neither speaker is ideal as a primary home theater speaker, the Flip 6's fuller sound makes it more suitable as a supplementary speaker for smaller spaces or temporary setups.
The Marshall Willen II costs $119.99, while the JBL Flip 6 is priced at $99.99. The $20 difference reflects Marshall's premium brand positioning and newer technology, though the JBL offers better overall value for most users.
Neither speaker is designed for dedicated surround sound use. While the JBL Flip 6 offers PartyBoost for connecting multiple speakers, this feature isn't optimized for home theater surround sound. They're best used as standalone portable speakers.
The Marshall Willen II offers superior battery life with 17+ hours of playback compared to the Flip 6's 12 hours. The Willen II also features quick-charging capability, providing 5.5 hours of playback from a 20-minute charge.
The Marshall Willen II is significantly more portable at just 4 inches square and 0.79 lbs, compared to the JBL Flip 6 at 7 inches long and 1.21 lbs. The Willen II's included rubber strap also makes it easier to carry or mount.
The JBL Flip 6 delivers better overall sound quality with its dual-driver system and stronger bass response. The Marshall Willen II excels at vocal clarity but lacks the fuller sound of the Flip 6.
Yes, both the Marshall Willen II and JBL Flip 6 feature IP67 water and dust resistance, meaning they can be submerged in 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes.
The JBL Flip 6 is generally better for outdoor use due to its louder maximum volume and fuller sound profile. However, if ultra-portability is your priority, the Marshall Willen II might be preferable.
Both speakers can connect to TVs via Bluetooth if your TV supports it. However, neither speaker offers physical audio inputs, and potential audio lag makes them less than ideal for TV use compared to dedicated soundbars or home theater speakers.
Both speakers offer Bluetooth 5.1+ connectivity, but the Marshall Willen II has slightly better features with Bluetooth 5.3 and a more intuitive control system. The JBL Flip 6 offers better multi-speaker connectivity through PartyBoost.
The JBL Flip 6 offers better overall value at $99.99 with its superior sound quality and features. The Marshall Willen II at $119.99 is still good value if ultra-portability and premium design are priorities.
Both speakers are equally durable with IP67 ratings, but the Marshall Willen II's more compact size and rubber strap make it less prone to drops and damage. The JBL Flip 6's larger size requires more careful handling but is still very rugged.
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 - 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
